Mayaguana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mayaguana is the most easterly island and district of the Bahamas. It is one of only two Bahamian islands which retain their Arawak names, the other being Inagua. The population of Mayaguana in the 2000 census was 259 and is currently about 312. It has an area of about 110 square miles.
About 60 miles north of Inagua and 350 miles south of the capital of Nassau, Mayaguana is considered the halfway point between South Florida and Puerto Rico and is about 450 nautical miles off Palm Beach, Florida. It is a popular stopover for yachtsmen on a direct route to the Caribbean.
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[edit] History
Mayaguana was uninhabited until 1812, when people began to migrate from the Turks and Caicos Islands, which are located about 60 miles southeast.
The Brazilian historian Antonio Varnhagen suggested in 1824 that Mayaguana is Guanahani, the first island visited by Christopher Columbus at his discovery of the Americas. His theory has found little support.
During NASA's Project Mercury and the Apollo program, the United States Space Program had a missile tracking station on what is now Mayaguana Airport. The station was used to help keep astronauts on course.
The Bahamian government has recently approved working with American investors [I Group headquarters in Boston]to turn Mayaguana into a "free trade zone," complete with tourism development of approximately 14% of the island. Actually, this is 14% of the total landmass but essentially most of the coastal region. The proposal has been met with much resistance by Mayaguanians and other Bahamians, including the highly influential Nassau Guardian newspaper. Development now is imminent and will completely transform the nature of the island from a quiet ecotourism haven to a massively develpoed real estate venture. [1]
[edit] People and culture
The largest settlement is Abraham's Bay on the south coast; other settlements are the neighboring towns of Betsy Bay and Pirate's Well in the northwest. The uninhabited areas of Upper Point (north shore), Northeast Point, and Southeast Point are largely inaccessible by road.
The least developed Bahamian island, Mayaguana has never seen major growth. It was settled gradually after 1812 by people from the Turks and Caicos. Most people make a living fishing and farming.
Considered the most isolated Bahamian island, Mayaguana uses the country's mail boat system as its primary form of communication. Mayaguana is visited once a week for delivery and pickup.
[edit] Environment
Mayaguana is known for its fertile soil, which is good for farming, and its woody terrain. Lignum vitae and other hardwoods can be found throughout the island. The island is home to several government nature preserves.
As the easternmost island in the Bahamian chain, Mayaguana is bordered to its east by deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Many underwater coral reefs are found off-shore, as well as shipwrecks.
Mayaguana is home to the Bahamian hutia, a rodent that was thought to be extinct until the mid-1960s, as well as West Indian flamingoes, iguanas, plovers, terns, and osprey. Nesting sea turtles can be found throughout the undeveloped eastern part of the island. About 118 species of bird are found on the island, including two large brown booby colonies.
[edit] Tourism
As the most isolated island, Mayaguana is the least visited by tourists in the Bahamas. Most tourists who visit do so for the isolation, as well as reef-diving, bonefishing, snorkeling, and duck hunting. The eastern part of the island is popular with advanced off-trail bikers. Ecotourism is also a common draw.
The island is accessible by Mayaguana Airport (MYG), which is located southeast of Abraham's Bay and is visited by Bahamasair as well as private aircraft.
[edit] External links
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