From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base
San Blas Islands
Archipelago north of Panama
Archipelago north of Panama
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | San Blas Islands |
| local_name | Guna Yala |
| sobriquet | Archipiélago de San Blas |
| image_name | San Blas Islands.jpg |
| image_size | 350px |
| image_caption | Islands entirely covered with dwellings |
| pushpin_map | Panama |
| pushpin_map_caption | Location of the San Blas Islands in Panama |
| pushpin_map_relief | yes |
| pushpin_map_width | 350 |
| coordinates | |
| total_islands | 365 |
| major_islands | 49 |
| area_km2 | |
| length_km | |
| width_km | |
| coastline_km | |
| highest_mount | |
| country | Panama |
The San Blas Islands of Panama is an archipelago comprising approximately 365 islands and cays, of which 49 are inhabited. They lie off the north coast of the Isthmus of Panama, east of the Panama Canal. A part of the comarca (district) Guna Yala along the Caribbean coast of Panama, it is home to the Kuna people.
San Blas and its surrounding area is a haven for ecotourism because of its pristine environs. The area is also popular for sailing, as it is known for its beauty and lack of hurricanes. Notable locations in the Archipelago are the main capital Gaigirgordub, the densely crowded island village of Carti Sugtupu, and the two keys, Cayos Limones, and Cayos Holandeses, both renowned for their clear waters.
The islands could be rendered uninhabitable by sea level rise in the late 21st century. The government of Panama predicted that several islands in the archipelago could be completely submerged by 2050, causing significant displacement requiring plans to move the indigenous residents to the mainland. The island of Carti Sugtupu is currently in the process of having its residents relocated due to frequent floods and rising sea levels, making the community the first in Panama to be displaced by climate change.
Tradition and legacy
Before the arrival of Europeans, the Guna wore few clothes and decorated their bodies with colorful designs. When encouraged to wear clothes by the missionaries, they copied these designs in their molas, which they wore as clothing.[[File:Famille Guna San Blas.jpg|thumb|Guna family in their traditional costume]]
The Guna worship a god named Erragon, who they believe came and died just for the Guna people. Driven off Panama during the Spanish invasion, the Guna fled to the surrounding 378 islands. Today their chief lives on an island called Acuadup, which means "rock island". Many Guna are hunters and fishermen. Many families live close to the mainland in villages and the families will rotate their time living on the islands. On some of the islands, children can attend school. Most of the men now speak Spanish, although the women carry on older traditions.
From 1679 to 1681, William Dampier started and ended his first journey with privateers and pirates in these islands which he called "The Samballoes," a rendezvous-place for pirates, convenient for hiding and privacy.
Climate
The San Blas Islands have a tropical monsoon climate. Temperatures are hot all year round. There is a lengthy wet season from May to January and a short dry season in the rest of the year.
References
References
- Mersmann, Andrew. (2009). "Frommer's 500 Places Where You Can Make a Difference". Frommer's.
- "San Blas Islands". Google Maps.
- "Sailing in San Blas Islands". Velero Amande.
- "Rising Sea Levels Threaten Tiny Islands Home To Indigenous Panamanians".
- Rodríguez, Juan José. "'Life goes on'—Panama islanders relocated as sea level rises".
- "San Blas Islands: Kuna Cultures". TripAdvisor.
- (28 October 2009). "History in San blas islands". World66.
- "Weather in San Blas Panama".
This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.
Ask Mako anything about San Blas Islands — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.
Research with MakoFree with your Surf account
Create a free account to save articles, ask Mako questions, and organize your research.
Sign up freeThis content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.
Report