Corn Islands


The Corn Islands are two islands about east of the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, constituting one of 12 municipalities of the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region. The official name of the municipality is Corn Island.

History

The Corn Islands, along with the eastern half of present-day Nicaragua, were a British protectorate from 1655 until 1860, a period when the region was called the Mosquito Coast. At one time, the islands were frequented by Caribbean pirates. The Nicaraguan government annexed the region in 1894.
Under the Bryan–Chamorro Treaty of 1914, the islands were leased to the United States for a period of 99 years. The terms of the lease made the Corn Islands subject to the sovereignty of the United States. The lease notwithstanding, the United States never maintained a significant presence in the islands. The right of the United States to use of the islands remained until April 25, 1971, when the lease was officially terminated by the denunciation of the Bryan–Chamorro Treaty on July 14, 1970, under the presidency of Anastasio Somoza Debayle.

Geography

The Corn Islands consist of the Big Corn Island, with an area of, and Little Corn Island '', with an area of. The total area is. Mount Pleasant Hill in the north of Big Corn Island, is the highest elevation of the islands, at. Little Corn Island reaches a height of at Lookout Point in the northern part of the island.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, the nearby mainland region of Bluefields features a tropical rainforest climate. There is a drier period from February to April, but the trade winds ensure that unlike the Pacific coast of Nicaragua, rain still falls frequently during this period. For the rest of the year when tropical low pressure dominates rainfall is extremely heavy, helped by the coast being shaped in such a manner as to intercept winds from the south as prevail during the northern summer.

Demographics

The population of the islands numbered 6,626 as of 2005.
As of early 2009, local authorities estimate the population of Big Corn Island to be 6,200 and that of Little Corn Island to be 1,200. The distribution of tourists is estimated to be roughly 25% at Big Corn Island and 75% at Little Corn Island.
The islanders are Afro-descendant, English-speaking Creole people mixed with indigenous.

Subdivisions

The municipality of Corn Island is subdivided into six wards, five of which are on Big Corn Island, while Little Corn Island constitutes the sixth ward:

BarrioPopulation
LocationVillages
Brig Bay3,930westBrig Bay
La Loma682southLa Loma, Long Beach, Queen Hill, Bluff Point
South End764eastSouth End, Mount Pleasant
Sally Peachie265northeastSally Peachie, Little Hill
North End490northwestNorth End
Little Corn Island495island 13 km
northeast		The Village, Carib Town
Corn Island6,626

Transportation

Big Corn Island has a paved road about long which runs the length of the island. Automobiles, motorbikes and bicycles are the primary means of transport on the island. Most cars are used as taxis and cost 30 Cordobas for each ride of an adult person. The only other public transportation option is the bus that circles the island clockwise and costs 10 cordobas.
Little Corn Island is accessible by fast boats, usually three or four times per day depending on weather from Big Corn Island, and by a small cargo ship from the port at Southwest Bay on Big Corn Island. Little Corn Island has no motor vehicles. Due to its small size, all transport on the island is done on foot.

Air

The Corn Islands are about away from Bluefields. Corn Island Airport in the city of Brig Bay is served by La Costeña airlines from Bluefields and Managua.

Sea

Big Corn Island can be reached by a cargo ship that departs two or three times per week from El Rama through Escondido River with its mouth at Bluefields. These ships usually do not have much passenger room, and the trip may last 12 hours. From Bluefields passengers may also use a once-a-week government ferry, a trip of around 5 hours. The Isla Pequeña del Maiz Lighthouse is on Little Corn Island.

Economy and tourism

Throughout most of the 20th century, the economy revolved around coconut production. During the 1960s and 1970s, commercial fishing as well as lobster and shrimp fishing, became the main industry. The recent growth in tourism throughout the region, however, has also affected the islands. Tourism on the islands has grown considerably, with their many surrounding coral reefs making them a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Barracudas, nurse sharks, hammerhead sharks, green sea turtles, and spotted eagle rays are among the marine life that can be seen around the islands.

Sports

Baseball is a popular sport in the Corn Islands. The main stadium on the island is the Karen Tucker Baseball Stadium.

Notable people