| Native name: Isla Taboga Nickname: Island of Flowers |
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Taboga Island (Panama)
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| Geography | |
| Location | Gulf of Panama |
| Area | 12.1 km2 (4.67 sq mi) |
| Country | |
| Province | Panama |
| District | Taboga |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1.629 |
| Density | 134.6 /km2 (348.6 /sq mi) |
Taboga Island (Spanish: Isla Taboga), also known as the "Island of Flowers," is a volcanic island in the Gulf of Panama. It is a tourist destination, about 20 km from Panama City, Panama.
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The island was discovered in the 16th century and was originally named Isla de San Pedro by the Spanish explorer, Vasco Núñez de Balboa.[1] Its current name derives from an Indian word, aboga ("many fish"). The island's first settlers were Indian slaves from Venezuela and Nicaragua. The small town of San Pedro was founded in 1524 by Hernando de Luque, dean of the Panama cathedral. The town church of the same name is claimed to be the second oldest church in the hemisphere. Rose of Lima (1586–1617), the first Catholic saint of the Americas, may have been born on the island.[2] French painter Paul Gauguin visited the island in 1887.[3]
At low tide, the northern end of the island is joined by a sand bar to the small island of El Morro, and the southeastern end is 270 meters from the neighboring Urabá island. The island has a tropical rain forest climate (Af), with average daytime temperatures of 83 °F. It is famous for its beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, soft sands and a wildlife refuge.
Tourism is the major economic activity on the island, although fishing and agriculture are also practiced. The island has become a popular touristic attraction, due to its beautiful natural areas and to its proximity to Panama City.[4] Daily ferries link the city to the island, most of them departing from the Amador Causeway.
Aside from beaches, the island has trails for hiking to its highest points, including Cerro Vigía and Cerro de la Cruz. The later one is a hill located south of the town, topped with a huge cross.[5]