Considered a marvel of nature, the Rosario Islands are a beautiful place to visit when you come to Cartagena. The natural landscapes, the crystal clear waters and the coral formations show a unique ecosystem in the world.

Visiting the Islands is highly recommended to all our visitors. There are several places to choose from with prices near $50 USD for a day pass including transportation and lunch. The trip in a go fast boat takes about 45 minutes departing from La Bodeguita pier in Historic Center, previous reservations are recommended. If the budget and time permits, please stay at least one night in the Islands, enjoying a beautiful sunset with good company and your favorite drink is priceless. Please click here to see hotels in the Islands.

The food there is exquisite; you can have a typical dish of fresh fried fish accompanied with coconut rice, plantains and fresh salad. You may also find other delicacies like fresh lobster, crab, and octopus.

While in the Islands you can visit the Oceanary to see all kinds of sea life in their natural environment including sharks, giant sea turtles, cods, and a unique dolphin show.

ECOSYSTEM: The coral reefs host a great variety of sea fauna and flora, with abundance of colorful fish, corals and plants. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving are ideal activities in the Islands, click here to see Dive schools.

The Islands have a special government protection regulation as a natural park. Both public and private islands pay rent to the government, there is no private property in the Islands.

The archipelago ISLAS DEL ROSARIO is comprised of 30 islands that are within the municipality of Cartagena. The Natural Park Corales Islas del Rosario has an area of 4633 sq. miles of water and ocean floor.

Please come and visit the Islands, enjoy them, nurture them, do not litter, you will live an unforgettable experience.

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Rosario Islands, Guide Tourist - Tours, Hotels, Diving, Agencies

Are you looking for a warm paradise island to escape to for a while? With over 35 unique destinations, the Caribbean provides a wide variety of tropical isles for all kinds of vacationers. Beach-goers will be delighted with the white sand beaches in most of the Caribbean; those in search of waves will want to head to beaches on the eastern side of those islands closest to the Atlantic, while snorkelers may prefer the calmer waters of beaches facing the Caribbean Sea. There are many other ways to enjoy the warm waters off the shores of these beautiful islands, including surfing, sailing, scuba diving, windsurfing, and swimming with dolphins! On land, the larger towns provide excellent shopping opportunities, lush rainforests are home to hundreds of plant and bird species, and golf courses and horse stables provide some other activities. The islands also range in size and popularity; some attract cruise ships, shoppers, or families, while others are small and secluded perfect for newlyweds on their honeymoons and for romantic annivarsary trips. All in all, there are about 50 islands in the Caribbean, ranging from small coral outcrops to large nations.

The Windward Islands include Grenada, St. Lucia, Dominica, and St. Vincent. These four islands face the Trade Winds in a line of volcanic peaks, and are known for their breathtaking beaches. Because the Windwards were once owned by France, French heritage is still strong there. There is also a heavy African influence, with many islanders descendants of African slaves that were freed in 1834. Of the four islands, St. Lucia ranks as the most developed and most frequently visited, with Grenada also a tourist destination, particularly for sailors and divers. Dominica offers both nature tourism and scuba diving. Of all the Windward Islands, St. Vincent is the most untouched and least visited.

The six Leeward Islands lie in two lines. The rain-forested peaks of a volcano chain include Montserrat, Nevis, and St. Kitts, and lie to the west. To the east are the volcanic ranges of Antigua, Barbuda, and Anguilla. These islands are known for their coral limestone and some of the nicest beaches in the Caribbean. The Leeward Islands were British colonies for many years, but today all but Montserrat and Anguilla are fully independent. The main source of economy for the Leeward Islands is tourism, and all have something special to offer. Because of their British history, the islanders are English speakers.

Panoramic View of Magans Bay, Saint Thomas, USVI

Just like they sound, the French Antilles exude a French influence when it comes to culture, food, and lifestyle. They spread across 350 miles between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, and include two volcanically active islands. The French Antilles are made up of two regions: the larger island of Martinique, and Guadeloupe, which comprises the six islands of Les Saintes, La Desirade, Marie-Galante, Saint-Barthelemy, and St. Martin. While tourism is a primary mainstay of the French Antilles economy, the islands are still known as some of the most peaceful and authentic islands in the entire Caribbean region.

The Netherlands Antilles include Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. These Dutch islands are known for their excellent beaches and some of the region's best preserved reefs. Much of the Dutch influence is still visible on the islands, including their currency, their foods, and their pastel painted and gabled houses. Also interesting is the language in the Netherlands Antilles. The islands actually have their own language, called Papiamento, which is a mix of Spanish and Dutch, with some Portuguese, English, and African influences.

The other Caribbean states and Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are separated by physical distances and other obstacles. The states include Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands as well as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic. Each of these island entities has its own government and its own culture, as well as different visitor attractions.

This web site, CaribbeanIslands.us, has information on just about everything you want to know about traveling to this part of the world. Here you will find travel and tourism information about each Caribbean Island group, listed alphabetically, as well as a Caribbean map and a historical overview of the Caribbean region. These resources can assist you in comparing the Caribbean Islands and planning your Caribbean vacation.

Throughout most of the Caribbean, snorkeling and scuba diving are popular pastimes, and Caribbean vacationers should consider their snorkeling and scuba diving gear requirements when planning their trips. Travelers whose interests lean more to Caribbean sailing may wish to browse through the Sunsail website to learn about sailing classes and charters.

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Caribbean Islands Travel and Tourism Information

The air is tangy with sea salt on the thousand or so slender, flat coral islands that make up the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Living on these narrow strips of land between ocean and lagoon, the Marshallese are expert fishers and navigators, having long been reliant on the sea.

Local faces reflect the islands' history. In the late 1700s, after 2000 years of isolation, these Micronesian islands were variously visited, settled, colonised or occupied by British, Russians, Germans, Japanese and Americans (at first by missionaries, later by defence forces). Today the more developed atolls have a sense of all these influences, with well-stocked stores carrying international groceries, restaurants serving the food of several nations, and basketball courts on many street corners. On the quieter backstreets the Marshallese continue to live in family compounds, surrounded by flowers. The two main atolls have quite different characters. While it's Westernised, the capital, Majuro Atoll, retains much of the languid feel of the tropics. In contrast, Kwajalein Atoll is leased to the US military for missile testing and is virtually closed to nonmilitary visitors, its local workers shuttled to the wall-to-wall tenements of Ebeye.

The RMI's charm lies in its outer islands which - except for the traumatic nuclear history of some - still retain the pristine feel of the tropical Pacific. If you have only a few days to spend here, don't run your schedule too tightly alongside that of Air Marshall Islands (AMI) - it generally serves outer atolls just once weekly, and delays of up to many days are common. You can still get a feel for the classic Robinson Crusoe lifestyle by visiting one of the small islands in Majuro Atoll, though divers often bypass Majuro and head straight to Bikini for WWII wreck-diving or Rongelap for nature-diving.

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Marshall Islands - Lonely Planet

New York is the largest metro area in the United States. It includes the island of Manhattan, an eight-county area immediately north, western Long Island, and Staten Island. It is the fourth largest in the world behind Tokyo, Mexico City, and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Regardless of how the area is defined, New York is among the richest and most complex places to live in America.

Boroughs, districts, and neighborhoods define the city. The borough of Manhattan, a 10-mile-long, 2-mile-wide island, is the financial, commercial, and entertainment core. Much of Lower Manhattan consists of narrow, haphazard streets, dating back to the citys earliest days as a Dutch colony. With the exception of older areas, such as Greenwich Village, the rest of the city follows an orderly grid pattern of avenues and streets laid out in 1811. (Broadway, another exception, moves at a gentle diagonal across the city.)

Filling out the island are distinct districts. Lower Manhattan contains the Financial District. Midtown is the commercial center, with corporate headquarters, various media businesses, and world-class shopping along Fifth Avenue. Large skyscrapers dominate Lower Manhattan, then retreat as does hard bedrock to build on in those areas, then reemerges in Midtown. The in-between area is dominated by older ethnic enclaves like Chinatown and Koreatown and the more famous artsy areas of Greenwich and Soho.

Hip residential areas lie east and west, mainly popular with young single professionals. North and west is Hells Kitchen, in the 40s (most Manhattan area locations are so approximated by their east-west numbered streets) is an old ethnic area and warehouse district enjoying a residential renaissance, to soon be aided by an elevated bikeway and commercial corridor along an old rail line. Times Square and the Theater District just west of Midtown contain the world-famous theaters and numerous restaurants. Surrounding Central Park, the Upper West and Upper East sides are predominantly residential, although both contain ample dining and shopping. The Upper East Side also contains posh enclaves unaffordable for most, outstanding museums, and the designer boutiques of Madison Avenue. The Upper West Side is dotted with large apartment buildings and is a favorite for working professionals and families. Farther north above Central Park, neighborhoods start to decline, although Harlem is undergoing a rebirth.

The boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx are a patchwork of residential and commercial areas and parks. They have large industrial areas with a predominant blue-collar feel containing manufacturing and freight distribution centers for the area. All are close to the city and offer relatively more living space, and all are experiencing verying degrees of economic and residential revival. Ethnic diversity is strong in all boroughs, while Queens is reputedly the most ethnically diverse area in the country.

Brooklyn is large and diverse enough to function as a standalone city, with large and some upscale residential areas with a modern downtown and substantial commercial and retail offerings areas. Brooklyn is known for its large Olmstead designed (of Central Park fame) Prospect Park. Brooklyn shares the western end of Long Island with Queens, with excellent transportation service into the city by rail and subway and numerous beaches, parks and residential neighborhoods south and east towards the large JFK airport. Brooklyn is socioeconomically very diverse, with a mix of upscale, middle class and poorer areas, while Queens is more clearly identifiable as middle class.

The Bronx area, on the mainland to the north of Manhattan, is the grittiest of the three areas, although its strategic location between the city and to better areas north is starting to bring some interest. Staten Island, a mainly-residential borough to the south, is connected to Manhattan by ferries and the Verrazano Narrows bridge.

Finally, the New York metro area includes northern suburbs stretching up into Westchester County between the east bank of the Hudson River and the Connecticut border. Westchester is generally upscale and expensive, with spread-out towns and a country setting. White Plains is the largest city and a modern corporate center with large facilities for IBM and a number of companies relocating north from Manhattan. Smaller but very upscale areas lie east along the Long Island Sound (Rye being an example) and north along the Hudson as the smaller towns of Tarrytown, Ossining and Croton-on-Hudson.

Rockland County is more middle class with some working-class areas. West Nyack is a large family-oriented middle class area. Other suburbs give workers access to New York by freeway or by rail lines across the Hudson or to northern New Jersey.

The New York area offers a rich assortment of amenities, with world-class dining, shopping, and performing arts including theater, symphony, opera, and live music. Museums and architectural attractions, large and small, draw global audiences. Numerous major-league teams play in the area, including the MLB Yankees and Mets, NBA Knicks, NFL Giants and Jets, and NHL Islanders and Rangers. An extensive public transit system with subways and buses serves the urban core and links the boroughs.

A suburban rail and ferry network services surrounding communities in Connecticut, Long Island, and New Jersey. Rail lines on the Northeast Corridor make such cities as Boston and Washington, D.C. easily accessible. Many residents dont own cars and choose to depend on public transit or an occasional car rental. Three major airportsLa Guardia, Kennedy, and nearby Newarkprovide air service domestically and abroad. Surrounding the city are numerous recreation areas: Long Island beaches, the Poconos, the Hudson Valley, and the Jersey Shore, to name only a few.

The downsides are significant. The city is crowded and stressful, and some neighborhoods are run down. Violent crime rates are high, although not as bad as the stereotype. Cost of living is high in all categories and is rising. Median home prices of half a million or more dont buy much, especially in Manhattan. Home prices there can be five to six times higher for comparable properties in surrounding boroughs. Income differentials between wealthy workers and others are high, and overall the Buying Power Index is usually the worst in the country, suggesting that incomes dont keep up with costs. New York is a great place if you like the lifestyle and can make ends meet.

The New York City area exceeds 300 square miles and is located mostly on islands. Elevations range from less than 50 feet over most of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens to several hundred feet in northern Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. The area is close to storm tracks, and most weather approaches from the west- producing higher summer and lower winter temperatures than would otherwise be expected in a coastal area. Summers are hot and humid with occasional long periods of discomfort. Sea breezes occasionally moderate summer heat and winter cold in Lower Manhattan. Manhattan and the inner boroughs are more likely to receive rain in winter while outlying areas get snow. Precipitation is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. Summer rainfall is mainly from thunderstorms, usually of brief duration. Late summer and fall rains associated with tropical storms may occur. Coastal noreaster storms can produce significant snow. First freeze is mid-November, last is early April.

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Best Places to Live in Secaucus, New Jersey

Check out our list of the best things to do in Ocracoke. For a scenic tour of the soundside that leads to the Pamlico Sound, head to the Hammock Hills Nature Trail. This three quarter mile trail is located on NC Highway 12, just across the street from the National Park Service's Ocracoke Campground, (More)

Learn about the history, geography, population, and area claims to fame with this list of fun facts and trivia. Ocracoke Islands is roughly 13 miles long, but the village of Ocracoke itself is just 4 square miles in area, and is located on the southern edge of the island. Ocracoke is bordered to the west by the Pamlico Sound and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. (More)

No need for a rainy day to dampen the fun on Ocracoke Island. These rainy day activities will ensure that vacationers of all ages will have a blast without the beach. Enjoy a little local education on the southern Outer Banks' history and culture with these unique sites on Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands. (More)

There may not be any major amusement parks or shopping malls on Ocracoke Island, but kids seem to have no problem staying entertained. On your next Ocracoke Island vacation, be sure and visit these fun, educational and altogether engaging kid-friendly Ocracoke activities and destinations. (More)

The Ocracoke Wild Horses, or "Banker Ponies" are easily Ocracoke's oldest residents, and have been plodding along the island for the last few hundred years. These famed horses are arguably one of the island's top attractions, and can be easily admired by any Ocracoke visitor via a quick trip to the National Park Service's Ocracoke Pony Pen. (More)

Ocracoke's long history has some interesting highlights, but none of the local legends and legacies are as far-reaching or as popular as the island's local pirates. As the temporary home to a crew of notorious buccaneers, including Blackbeard himself, Ocracoke is the destination of choice for pirate lovers who want to explore the stomping grounds of the island's most notorious residents. (More)

Ocracoke is separated from the rest of the world by the 20+ mile wide Pamlico Sound, which means that the only way to access the island is via a personal vessel, or more commonly, by a North Carolina State Ferry. (More)

All of the beaches along Ocracoke Island are part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and as such, National Park Service (NPS) rules and regulations apply to every stretch of shoreline. Keep these following rules, regulations and NPS ordinances in mind to ensure a great day at the beach. (More)

Thanks to a thriving and active local community, visitors will find plenty to do during their Ocracoke Island stay. Check out these annual events that are held throughout the year, and are sure to add an extra boost of fun to an Ocracoke vacation. (More)

Cedar Island is the closest mainland region to Ocracoke Island, and serves as the launching point for many Ocracoke visitors who arrive on the Outer Banks from the south, via the Cedar Island / Ocracoke Ferry. (More)

Ocracoke has a unique history that revolves around pirates, shipwrecks, and offshore battles. Occupied for hundreds of years, this now booming tourism destination has deep roots that run parallel to the history of the country. (More)

The Ocracoke Island Real Estate market is unique in that while other regions of the Outer Banks experienced a definite "bubble burst" in the latter 2000s, Ocracoke prices remained relatively the same. The reason for this is simple - with just 4 square miles of area to build on, there were only so many properties for sale at any given time. Coupled with the fact that Ocracoke remains one of the most popular destinations for Outer Banks visitors, it's easy to see why this real estate market has steadily risen with its reputation as one of the best beaches on the East Coast. (More)

Fishing drives Ocracoke Island's off-season tourism economy, as the beaches are world renowned for excellent surf fishing. Because the island is just 12 miles away from the Gulf Stream, anglers will have easy access to big game offshore catches as well. (More)

The Ocracoke Island Lighthouse may not be the most imposing of the Outer Banks lighthouses, but as North Carolina's oldest lighthouse in operation, (and the second oldest in the United States), it is certainly one of the most beloved. At just 65' ft. tall, it is by far the smallest lighthouse on the Outer Banks, but it still towers over the 4 square miles of Ocracoke Village, and its beacon can be spotted up to 14 miles into the Pamlico Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. (More)

The Ocracoke Harbor is easily the busiest quarter mile stretch of Ocracoke Island. Consisting of a small, lagoon-like section of saltwater, and lined by a semi-circle of docks, restaurants, shops, marinas and motels, visitors will find that any and all of the activities on Ocracoke Island can most certainly be found harbor front. (More)

The Pamlico Sound is literally one of the biggest attractions on the Outer Banks, second only to the miles of shoreline and cool blue waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Stretching from the borders of Manteo and the Dare County Mainland all the way to Portsmouth Island and the Cape Lookout National Seashore, virtually all southern Outer Banks visitors will catch a glimpse of the Pamlico Sound at some point during their OBX vacation. (More)

Springer's Point is a gorgeous nature preserve with a legendary past. Populated for centuries, and open to the public, this small parcel of Ocracoke Island is one of the last undeveloped sections of land on the island, and thanks to extensive efforts by the Coastal Land Trust, will forever remain that way. (More)

Only a handful of Outer Banks visitors even make the long and arduous trek to Portsmouth Island, but those who do tend to return year after year, and with good reason. This small southern Outer Banks barrier island, located just south of Ocracoke Island on the other side of Ocracoke Inlet, is a rustic vacationer's paradise with unlimited camping options, incredible fishing, and some of the best shelling on the East Coast. (More)

Ocracoke Inlet is located at the southern edge of the Outer Banks, separating Ocracoke Island from Portsmouth Island and its Cape Lookout National Seashore neighbors. One of the oldest inlets on the entire coast of North Carolina, Ocracoke Inlet is a renowned destination for fishermen, beachcombers, birders, nature lovers, and plain old beach lovers. (More)

A stay in Ocracoke is a true departure from the real world, as the small island comprises of 13 miles of undeveloped beaches that border a small village that's miles away from the rest of the Outer Banks.

Considered a beach paradise by both national experts and its longtime fans, Ocracoke is truly the Outer Banks destination of choice for beach-goers who want to literally "get away from it all."

Because Ocracoke Islands is literally separated from the rest of the Outer Banks and the North Carolina region, it has a unique culture all its own.

The 13 mile long island is primarily comprised of desolate oceanfront shorelines and wooded soundside regions. The majority of the island is undeveloped, and is under the management of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. NC Highway 12 runs along the length of the island, connecting the Hatteras Island ferry terminal with the Ocracoke Village ferry terminals to Cedar Island and Swanquarter.

Because of this, day-tippers and beach lovers can typically pick a parking lot or spot along the highway, cross a well-worn sandy path, and access a stretch of beach that may be completely deserted.

Nature trails are found along the soundside at marked parking areas, and this undeveloped stretch of shoreline has a lifeguarded beach, a National Park Service (NPS) campground, and not much else. This environment is fine with longtime visitors who appreciate the solitude, the fishing, and the beachcombing that only a remote island like Ocracoke can provide.

Ocracoke Village is strikingly different than the rest of the island, as it is home to the area's concentration of motels, vacation rental homes, shops and restaurants, and historic sites.

The small village circles around the Ocracoke Harbor and is always bustling in the summer months, when day-trippers from the mainland and the rest of the Outer Banks take the ferry to the island for a full day of sightseeing. The village is home to the famous, white Ocracoke Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in the Outer Banks, as well as a Visitors Center, a historic British Cemetery and a small history museum.

In addition, visitors will find a collection of seasonally-opened watersports businesses, fishing charters, and waterfront pubs and eateries overlooking the harbor. Art galleries are abundant in the region, as are Bohemian boutiques, surf shops, and residential streets lined with vacation rental cottages and historic residences.

The overall atmosphere is noticeably distinctive from any other Outer Banks region, and lends to its overall charm. Comically known as the place that OBX locals go to vacation, the overall aesthetic is relaxed, unique, and completely appreciative of the surrounding salty environment.

New visitors are quickly identified by how they pronounce Ocracoke. The correct pronunciation is "Oh-Crah-Coke," and it's a moniker that's been in place for centuries.

The authentic origins of Ocracoke have faded with time, but many folks believe that the name originated, or was deviated from, the original Native Americans who lived on the island, the Wokokon. Despite their long residence on the island, little is known about these original Ocracoke locals, and even their name has produced multiple spellings and pronunciations.

These Native Americans have been referred to as the "Woccocock," "Woccocon," or "Wococon," and later as "Oakacock" and "Okercock." Many historians believe the name eventually devolved into Ocracoke, which clearly stuck as the title for the region.

Of course, there are additional, more colorful explanations for this unique name. A favorite background story among locals and visitors is connected to the infamous Blackbeard the Pirate himself.

Legend has it that during Blackbeard's final battle with the authorities, Blackbeard began to cry "O Crow Cock, O Crow Cock!" from the helm of his ship. As the story goes, Blackbeard was eager for day to break so the ensuing fight between the pirate and the British Navy ships, led by Capt. Robert Maynard, could begin. The fight would inevitably be Blackbeard's last stand, and he would die just off the coast of Ocracoke Village, but the legend persisted that this final rallying cry would inevitably become the small island's official name.

Regardless of origin, Ocracoke is unique from the ground up. From its distinctive name to its distinctive culture that has been carved from centuries of being separated from the rest of the world, Ocracoke remains one of the last wild regions of the coastal North Carolina shoreline.

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Ocracoke NC Photo Tours and Travel Information

This list of islands of California is organized into sections, generally arranged from north to south. The islands within each section are listed in alphabetical order.

All three islands in Humboldt Bay are located in the narrow midsection of the bay. This portion of the bay is located within the City of Eureka, California entirely within Humboldt County.

The Farallon Islands are a group of rugged small islands over 20 miles (32km) offshore from the mainland of the City and County of San Francisco, which they are also formally within. They consist of over twenty small islets divided into north, south and middle sections, as well as a major bank, Fanny Shoal. The surrounding waters were once used as a disposal site for radioactive waste.[8]

The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta is an inverted delta at the juncture of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. There are about 57 named islands in the Delta.

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List of islands of California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Channel Islands of California are a chain of eight islands located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California along the Santa Barbara Channel in the United States of America. Five of the islands are part of Channel Islands National Park, and the waters surrounding these islands make up Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. The islands were first colonized by the Chumash and Tongva Native Americans 13,000 years ago, who were then displaced by European settlers who used the islands for fishing and agriculture. The U.S. military uses the islands as training grounds, weapons test sites, and as a strategic defensive location. The Channel Islands and the surrounding waters house a diverse ecosystem with many endemic species and subspecies.

The eight islands are split among the jurisdictions of three separate California counties: Santa Barbara County (four), Ventura County (two), and Los Angeles County (two). The islands are divided into two groupsthe Northern Channel Islands and the Southern Channel Islands. The four Northern Islands used to be a single landmass known as Santa Rosae.

The archipelago extends for 160 miles (257km) between San Miguel Island in the north and San Clemente Island in the south. Together, the islands land area totals 221,331 acres (89,569ha), or about 346 square miles (900km2).

Five of the islands (San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara) were made into the Channel Islands National Park in 1980. The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary encompasses the waters six nautical miles (11 kilometers) off Anacapa, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, Santa Rosa, and Santa Barbara islands.

Santa Catalina Island is the only one of the eight islands with a significant permanent civilian settlementthe resort city of Avalon, California, and the unincorporated town of Two Harbors.

Natural seepage of oil occurs at several places in the Santa Barbara Channel.[1] Tar balls or pieces of tar in small numbers are found in the kelp and on the beaches. Native Americans used naturally occurring tar, bitumen, for a variety of purposes which include roofing, waterproofing, paving and some ceremonial purposes.[2]

The Channel Islands at low elevations are virtually frost-free and constitute one of the few such areas in the 48 contiguous US states. It snows only rarely, on higher mountain peaks.

The eight Channel Islands of California, off the west coast of North America

Separated from the California mainland throughout recent geological history, the Channel Islands provide the earliest evidence for human seafaring in the Americas. It is also the site of the discovery of the earliest paleontological evidence of humans in North America.[3] The Northern Channel Islands are now known to have been settled by maritime Paleo Indian peoples at least 13,000 years ago. Archaeological sites on the island provide a unique and invaluable record of human interaction with Channel Island marine and terrestrial ecosystems from the late Pleistocene to historic times. Historically, the northern islands were occupied by the island Chumash, while the southern islands were occupied by the Tongva. Scott O'Dell has had a book written about the indigenous peoples living on the island, Island of the Blue Dolphins. Aleuts hunters visited the islands to hunt otters in the early 1800s. The Aleuts purportedly clashed with the native Chumash, killing many over trading disputes. Aleut interactions with the natives were also detailed in O'Dell's book.[4]

The Chumash and Tongva were removed from the islands in the early 19th century, taken to Spanish missions and pueblos on the adjacent mainland. For a century, the Channel Islands were used primarily for ranching and fishing activities, which had significant impacts on island ecosystems, including the local extinction of sea otters, bald eagles, and other species. With most of the Channel Islands now managed by federal agencies or conservation groups, the restoration of the island ecosystems has made significant progress.Several of the islands were used by whalers in the 1930s to hunt for sperm whales.[5]

In 1972, the Brown Berets seized and claimed the islands for Mexico, citing the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, a treaty between Mexico and the USA by which Mexico lost more than half of its territory, and arguing that the treaty does not specifically mention the Channel Islands nor the Farallon Islands. Though the United States had occupied them since 1852, the group speculated that Mexico could claim the islands and seek their return through litigation before the International Court of Justice. However, a detailed analysis of its situation puts in doubt the likelihood of Mexico winning the case at the International Court of Justice.[6]The Channel Islands National Park's mainland visitor center received 342,000 visitors in 2014. The Channel Islands itself attracts around 70,000 tourists a year, most during the summer.[7] Visitors can travel to the islands via public boat or airplane transportation. Camping grounds are available on Anacapa, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara Islands in the Channel Islands National Park. Attractions include whale watching, hikes, snorkeling, kayaking and camping.[8]

The United States Navy controls San Nicolas Island and San Clemente Island, and has installations elsewhere in the chain. During World War II all of Southern Californias Channel Islands were put under military control, including the civilian-populated Santa Catalina where tourism was halted and established residents needed permits to travel to and from the mainland.[9] San Miguel Island was used as a bombing range[10] and Santa Barbara Island as an early warning outpost under the presumed threat of a Japanese attack on California.[11] San Clemente Island was used to train the Navy's first amphibious force to prepare for Pacific combat against the Japanese in World War II.[12] San Nicolas Island has been used since 1957 as a launch pad for research rockets. San Nicolas was considered out of eight possible locations as the site of the Trinity nuclear test.[13] Santa Rosa Island was used in 1952 as a base for the USAF 669th AC&W Squadron and they operated two Distant Early Warning FPS-10 radars from the hilltops there. In 1955 another FPS-3 search radar was added, and in 1956, a GPS-3 search radar was installed. A new MPS-14 long-range height-finder radar was installed in 1958. The base was shut down in March 1963, when the 669th was moved to Vandenberg AFB In Lompoc, California. The islands still house US Navy SEALs training facilities and continues to use the Naval Auxiliary Landing Field located on San Clemente Island.[12]

The Channel Islands are part of one of the richest marine ecosystems of the world. Many unique species of plants and animals are endemic to the Channel Islands, including fauna such as the Channel Islands spotted skunk, ashy storm-petrel, Santa Cruz sheep, and flora including a unique subspecies of Torrey pine.

Flora on the Channel Islands include a unique subspecies of pine, oak, and the island tree mallow. Santa Rosa Island holds two groves of the Torrey pine subspecies Pinus torreyana var. insularis, which is endemic to the island. Torrey pines are the United States' rarest pine species.[14] The islands also house many rare and endangered species of plants, including the island barberry, the island rushrose, and the Santa Cruz Island lace pod. giant kelp forests surround the islands and act as a source of nutrition and protection for other animals.[15]

Invasive species, such as the Australian blue gum tree, olive tree, sweet fennel and Harding grass threaten native species through competition for light, nutrients, and water. The Australian blue gum, for example, releases toxins in its leaf litter which prevents other species of plants from growing in the soil surrounding it. The blue gum, as well as other species including the Harding grass, are much more flammable and better adapted to wildfires than native species.[16]

The Channel Islands and the waters surrounding hold many endemic species of animals, including fauna such as the Channel Islands spotted skunk, island scrub jay, ashy storm-petrel, Santa Cruz sheep, San Clemente loggerhead shrike, San Clemente sage sparrow. Many species of large marine mammals, including pacific gray whales, blue whales, and California sea lions breed or feed close to the Channel Islands. Seabirds, including the western gulls, bald eagles, pigeon guillemonts, and Scripps's murrelets use the islands as well for shelter and breeding grounds. The endemic island fox is California's smallest natural canine and has rebounded from its near extinction in the late 1990s. Several endemic reptile species including the island fence lizard, island night lizard, and Channel Islands slender salamander live on the islands.[17]

Conservation efforts are being made to maintain the islands' endemic species. Feral livestock, including pigs, goats, and sheep, pose a threat to many of the species, including the San Clemente loggerhead shrike and Channel Islands spotted skunk. The National Park Service eradicated the feral pigs on Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz islands during the 1990s and on Santa Catalina Island in 2007.[18][4] Introduced pathogens have devastated island species due to isolation from the mainland. In 1998, an outbreak of canine distemper swept through Santa Catalina Island severely reducing the island skunk and fox populations. Rabies and distemper vaccination programs were initiated to protect the island's wildlife. Canine distemper is thought to have been brought to the islands on a stowaway raccoon or a domestic dog.[19]

In the 1950s, bald eagles and peregrine falcons on the Channel Islands became locally extinct after widespread use of pesticides such as DDT.[20] The birds ingest contaminated fish and seabirds which poisons the adults and weakens their eggs. Golden eagles, which are natural competitors of other birds of prey, do not primarily feed on these animals and were able to colonize the islands in the early 1990s. In the early 2000s, golden eagles were live trapped and relocated.[21] In 2002 and 2006 breeding pairs of bald eagles were reintroduced to the northern islands.[22] Later in 2006, the introduced adult eagles hatched chicks on the islands for the first time since their extinction. The Channel Islands National Park established a bald eagle webcam on their website in 2007.[4]

Coordinates: 340058N 1194814W / 34.01611N 119.80389W / 34.01611; -119.80389

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Channel Islands of California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This was one of the first places I went with my roommates during my third year of college. We wanted something that wasn't necessarily Asian (here's looking at you, Sawtelle), so we decided on the safest option ever: BURGERS! I mean, you just can't go wrong. My friend and local LA native suggested Islands because it would be uncontroversial and good, so we all went with it.

We hopped into his jalopy (sorry, I just wanted to use that word. It's really just a Saturn) and took the short drive to Islands. We parked in a nearby neighborhood and walked over, and I took a picture of the sign, which you can see handily included below. The atmosphere of the place is pretty cool: lots of surfing stuff and other island-related paraphernalia. A bar sits in the middle and is a good place to watch sporting events such as UCLA improbably making March Madness and angering sports fans across the nation as it somehow wins its way to the Sweet 16. I didn't have them advancing in my bracket either, and I'm from UCLA...Well then...

Anyways, our server was quite attentive and helpful. I eventually decided upon the Kilauea, which is this insanely pepper-crusted burger with pepper jack cheese, chipotle aioli, lettuce, tomato, and island reds. I'm famous for not liking tomato, so I took mine out--not that you needed to know that or anything, but I pride myself on accurate reviews...Or boring ones.

The burger was actually really good, but if I had to nitpick, it was way too peppery. After a few bites, the pepper completely overwhelmed the burger to a point where it was overshadowing the entire meal. It was still dang good, but I had to un-crust some of the pepper to finish it. In any case, I would simply order a different burger next time since the amount of pepper (and I really, really love pepper) was a bit much.

Aside from that, the bottomless fries were pretty awesome and--yes--uncontroversial. Overall, a really safe place to eat without any major gripes, and that's exactly what you should expect.

Originally posted here:

Islands Restaurant - Rancho Park - Los Angeles, CA - Yelp

Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks (also known as Islands) is a casual dining restaurant chain that specializes in hamburgers and specialty drinks, fries that are made fresh every day, with a tropical theme. Despite its hamburger and fries "specialty", various other types of food are offered.

Entrees such as tacos, chicken sandwiches, and multiple entree salads, are available, as well as appetizers, including cheddar fries, chips and salsa, spinach-artichoke dip, and a choice of two major desserts; a fudge brownie ice cream sundae known as the "Chocolate Lava," and a coffee ice cream mud pie, "Kona Pie." Islands is known for catering to the requests of its guests, and many changes to their menu have been made at customer suggestion. Examples include including a small order of Islands' fries with any burger (or chicken or tuna sandwich), offering low-calorie entrees to promote lighter eating, and personal-sized desserts.

The company is based in Carlsbad, California.[1] It does not franchise out locations.[2]

The company was founded in 1982 by entrepreneur Tony DeGrazier in West Los Angeles and currently has more than 50 locations in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii.[3]

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Islands (restaurant) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

>> Back To Visitor Guide Main Page

:: Beaches & Islands in the Sun

Visitors to Krabi beaches and islands are of many different backgrounds. Some are on their honeymoon and are overseas for the first time, others are adventurists who barely unpack their bags before leaving on their next adventure. We have visitors who have traveled the world over who have enjoyed travels on continents around the world, hot and cool climates. When you read about the islands and beaches of Krabi you will see that there is truly something to enjoy and love for everyone.

Ao Nang Beach

Krabi is hardly 18 km away from the bay and the bay has some 83 islands scattered around. Each one of these islands are a short distance away from one another. And during low tides, you can even wade your way to the neighboring island. In this sort of a natural set up, there is little shortage for sandy beaches and crystal clear water. But among them all, Ao Nang beach is supposed to be the best.

Ao Nang has the cleanest of environments in the area. This is the most developed beach in the area. And the beach is accessible by road from Krabi. Less crowded and more quiet, it gives a more peaceful atmosphere to the tourist than the Krabi. The majestic looking limestone cliffs rising straight from calm, clear waters of the sea and the long beach line that runs the whole length of the resort are great attractions claimed exclusively by Ao Nang. The shallow coast line is very safe for children to play with the waves. The deserted beach of Pai Plong is easily accessible on foot when the tide is low. There are 83 islands of various sizes in the bay off this beach. And the facilities for boat trips are well organized in the beach. Tourism sector takes care of the food requirements at the sea front itself. With widest range of accommodation facilities , transports either by boat or road, excellent facilities for tasty foods, tourists often make this area a base camp to make their foray further deep to discover the caves or for trekking and rock climbing.

Hat Noppharat Thara

This beach is on the western side of the Krabi town. The park covers an extensive area of the main land and 80 islands including Phi Phi Islands.

20 km west of Krabi and 3 miles long, this beach is lined with a majestic Casuarina forest. The beach is a part of Koh Phi Phi National Marine Park. Just as in the case of Ao Nang , during low tides, it is possible to reach other islands in the bay on foot.

Railay or Railey Beach & ( Hat Tham Beaches )

Two of the most popular beaches in Ao Phra Nang peninsula are Rai Leh and Hat Tham. This is just to the south of Ao Nang. Phra Nang area is a hilly terrain with craggy limestone cliffs. There are no proper roads in this area. The beaches are accessible by long tail boats. This scenario gives a secluded feel to the place.

In Rai Leh, excellent accommodation is available which gives an added attraction to this beach. There are plenty of rock formations in the area. And caves with stalactites and stalagmites are spectcular attraction in Rai Leh. As is quite typical of this area, the limestone geology has forged many interesting rock formations.

Besides, these beaches provide opportunities for rock climbing enthusiasts. A spectacular view of the surrounding areas from the top of the cliff is a rewarding experience to the hardship and strain you take to climb the hill side. The facilities including supplies of climbing gear and training for the novice are also available.

Pristine beaches with pure white sand and shallow clear water make the Rai Leh beach a favorite to the tourists. Swimming and sunbathing in this beach is much popular. Rai Leh beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches of the world. And this is one of Krabi's most unique areas.

Pra Nang Beach

Connected to Rai Lei by a small path is Phra Nang (not to be confused with Ao Nang) on the outer most point of the headland, backed by a limestone cliff which soars above the beach providing some welcome shade in the hot afternoon. At the bottom of the cliff lies the Princess Cave or Tham Phra Nang Nok - local legend surrounds the cave and local fishermen leave offerings for good fortune. It's a great beach to simply hang out. In the late morning the "sandwich boats" arrive. Local longtail boats equipped with ice boxes, bread and sandwich ingredients. Fancy a cheese and ham baguette? Freshly made and not expensive, the ladies on the boats will serve with a smile and often a free piece of fruit. A path Swimming and snorkeling can be enjoyed off this pristine, white sandy beach, and from here it is possible to hike to the top of the headland to get spectacular views of the entire area.

Klong Muang Beach/Tubkaak

Krabi's latest beach destination, Muang Klong is aiming upmarket with 5 star and boutique hotels like the Sheraton Krabi Resort, the Nakamanda and the Tubkaak Resort. Unlike Ao Nang it doesn't have the impressive cliffs immediately towering over the beach, but it does have powder white sand and safe swimming

The Lanta Island Group

About 53 islands are included in this group, which form the southern most district of Krabi Province.

Koh Lanta Yai The largest of the islands, it was formerly known as Pulao Satak, its name in the Malay language, which means Long Beach Island. The island is a favourite spot for those seeking peace and solitude, and is the home of the District and National Park offices. Mountainous and rugged in some spots, especially near the southern tip; with a combination of gravely and fine white sandy beaches, the island is also home to a clan of Chao Ley, or Sea Gypsies - an ethnic group who preserve many of their ancient customs and ceremonies. In recent years accommodation has increased in Lanta with a range from basic bungalows to upmarket resorts now available. You can get to Lanta on the regular ferry from Jao Fah Pier in Krabi Town.

Koh Taleng Beng Lies in the Lanta district and is similar in shape to Phi Phi Ley. Swallows also nest at this island which at low tide has a small beach and tunnel.

Mu Koh Hah Still in the Lanta area, this is a group of 5 islands featuring coral gardens and good diving spots.

Koh Ngai, Koh Rock Nai and Koh Rock Nok South of Lanta Island, these 3 islands are close to Trang Province. Koh Ngai is easily accessed via ferry from Pak Meng Beach, others are accessed by hired boat and feature both beaches and coral gardens.

Poda Beach

This is another location much favored by tourists. Lying off the coast of Ao Nang , Poda Beach is famous for its pure white sandy beach and warm waters. Diving and snorkeling , sun bathing and boating are the favorite activities in this beach. This is considered to be an ideal place for fun and relaxation.

Phi Phi Island Beaches

These islands are some of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world. This is one of the much sought after locations in Krabi province. The superb scenery of these islands are not just limited to the silvery sand beaches but the Emerald green sea, the multi colored coral reefs and the abundance of the underwater marine life. Hardly 2 hrs journey by boat from Ao Nang beach, the twin islands Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh provide excellent entertainments.

Phi Phi Don is the larger of the two islands. Covering some 28 square km area, this is in the northern part of the island. Phi Phi Don has several long white sand beaches. Long ,white curved beach, fringed by palms and between mountain ranges provide sheltered calm waters for beach sports. Plenty of accommodation is available at the site. You can have beach side bungalows or smaller resorts as you please. Bars are available adjacent to the Muslim areas where you have to be discrete. Sun bathing and swimming in the shallow waters are the popular enjoyment here.

There are very many restaurants in Phi Phi Don. In fact, Thailand as a whole is considered to be a land of restaurants. This may perhaps be the only place in the world where you have more number of restaurants and eateries on a per capita basis. And Phi Phi Don is no exception. Both European cuisine and tasty Thai foods are available at the beach restaurants. Bars, cabaret, souvenir shops, fishing excursions and chartered boats are all available at the site.

Phi Phi Leh is only some six sq.km in area. The main attraction is the rocks and caves. Rugged cliff surfaces with sparse vegetation rising staraight from the sea bed to several metres to the sky provide real challenge to the rock climbing enthusiasts.

There are several caves where birds roost in their multitudes. The sea swallows make their gelatinous nests in these caves. And these nests are some delicacy in the Chinese cuisine. The Viking cave is famous for the murals inside. These paintings depict Viking-like sailing vessels and sailors there by giving the name for the cave.

The underwater life is also much captivating. The colorful coral reef and underwater creatures give a feast to the divers. Snorkeling is a favorite sport in these beaches. In short, Phi Phi Islands are a real treat to the tourist and one of the best choices in the Andaman Bay.

Ko Paid ( Bamboo Island ) This is another of the Phi Phi Islands but uninhabited. This has some of the most beautiful beaches in the area. And the beaches are unspoiled as the area is uninhabited.

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Beaches and Islands - Krabi

The North Carolina Golf Panel annually ranks the states top courses to help guide your choices when you come here to test your skills.

From the Outer Banks through the Brunswick Islands, tours, museums and historic sites reveal North Carolinas pirate history.

Renowned designers have carefully carved courses along the water, dunes, marshlands and maritime forests of coastal North Carolina.

One of the great things about vacation is the opportunity to sleep in. Luckily, these restaurants serve full breakfast menus late in the day.

Some of historys most infamous pirates lived and died on our waters, others buried treasure here, but they all left their mark on our history.

Film lovers can return to the scenes of Iron Man 3 action in Wilmington, Raleigh, Rose Hill and more local spots where the movie was filmed.

Whether youre swimming or surfing, taking strolls in the sand or laying out to catch some sun, we want your time at the beach to be as safe as it is fun.

Test your driving distance when you take on two of the worlds longest golf holes one in the Brunswick Islands and one in Black Mountain.

Sweeping views of vibrant fields of grapes, rolling hills, and cool, darkly lit wine cellars combine to make a wedding day truly special.

North Carolina is packed with adventures, so start exploring early. Youll find perfect sunrise views at these spots, from beaches to mountaintops.

North Carolinas 20-plus ferries have been a convenient and enjoyable way to travel the state's coastline since the mid-1920s.

In North Carolina during Fourth of July weekend and beyond youll find beautiful backdrops for fireworks above our mountains, cityscapes and beaches.

Though long ago lighthouses protected adventurers from our treacherous coastline, today they offer some of the most incredible views youll see.

The Brunswick Islands are the ideal place for a family vacation that includes golf, with more than 30 top-rated courses ready to welcome you.

Follow the footsteps of the Safe Haven movie cast and crew and explore the sites where the movie was filmed in Southport and Wilmington.

Here, water abounds on courses abutting the beach or bounded by marshes and maritime forests, and an ocean breeze is almost ever-present.

See more here:

Brunswick Islands - North Carolina Travel & Tourism

This article by Lizette Alvarez appeared inThe New York Times.

When Manuel Hernandez, a teacher in Puerto Rico, looked at the reasons to stay home or to take a chance on joining the ever-growing Puerto Rican diaspora in Central Florida, it was not a hard call.

I was fed up, Mr. Hernandez said of his life in San Juan, and my wife was fed up; frustrations were building.

So last October, Mr. Hernandez got off a plane and arrived here, a place best known for hosting Mickey Mouse and rodeos, but also increasingly seen as a faraway suburb of Puerto Rico, a trend that has quickened with the islands deepening economic morass.

Florida is now poised to elbow out New York as the state with the most Puerto Ricans close to one million, according to the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at the City University of New York. Nearly 400,000 Puerto Ricans have settled in the Orlando area, and by some estimates, thousands continue to arrive monthly, a marked increase from a decade ago.

Not all the newcomers are from the island; a large number also hail from the Northeast and Chicago, spots they traded for the warm weather and more affordable lifestyle of Central Florida.

The migration the third and largest wave here in four decades and one that began several years ago is transforming a corridor of Central Florida that is increasingly viewed as economically powerful, culturally diverse and politically pivotal.

Puerto Rico has 78 municipalities, said Art Otero, a Kissimmee city commissioner who was born in San Juan and is running for mayor here, as he sat amid the bustle of the Melao Bakery, a popular pit stop formallorcas, the sugar-topped Puerto Rican sweet rolls. Now they say we will be the 79th.

As United States citizens, Puerto Ricans from the island, who generally favor Democrats but are less party conscious than their mainland brethren, can easily register to vote. And in the past two presidential elections they have turned out in large numbers, helping hand President Obama his victories in Florida. But they also helped elect Charlie Crist as governor when he was a Republican.

Their turnout and willingness to consider both parties make them a highly coveted group, a crucial swing vote in the nations largest swing state.

There is a large number of independents and people who vote on a candidates appeal; party affiliations mean less to them, said Edwin Melndez, the director of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, which analyzed the most recent census data on the latest migration. The Puerto Rican vote here is not just captured by one party. The candidates have to talk to us.

Their growing numbers about 15 percent of the areas population in 2013 have also made it easier for them to organize and mobilize on issues that affect Puerto Rico, including a push for equity in Medicare and Medicaidon the island, and for changes that would provide for some debt relief through bankruptcy laws.

And they are gradually gaining a political foothold of their own in local commissions and the State Legislature, where there are six lawmakers of Puerto Rican descent, half of them Republicans. One state senator, Darren Soto, is running for an open seat in Congress.

The Puerto Rican stamp on the areas culture and work force is unmistakable. Typically bilingual to varying degrees, Puerto Ricans are often recruited for jobs, including those as doctors, teachers and engineers, but also to work at Disney World and in hotels.

Just two years ago, the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, seeing the growth in population, opened an office here to help Puerto Ricans resettle in the area.

Restaurants dishing out mofongo are no longer hard to find in this once low-key city, where Disney World rose from the swamp. Puerto Rican universities and companies, including those specializing in food, aviation and language training, are also moving into the area to cater to the newest arrivals.

But the surge of Puerto Ricans does not always make for an easy transition. Increasingly, it is also having an impact on schools and government service agencies, both of which are working to help absorb the latest arrivals, particularly those with children in schools.

As a result, schools are scrambling to hire more bilingual teachers (some of them also from Puerto Rico) and expand dual-language programs that can best suit Puerto Ricans. In the last month alone, the Osceola County School District, which is home to Kissimmee, registered more than 1,000 new students, many of them Puerto Ricans, said Dalia Medina, the director of the multicultural department for the school district.

We are a mini-Puerto Rico here, she said. We are now 58 percent Hispanic in the schools, and every year we have increased.

But in their rush to move to the Orlando area, complications sometimes arise, particularly for those with no jobs waiting for them, no invitations from relatives and insufficient cash to see them through. Finding affordable housing in the area, where rents are higher than in Puerto Rico, and ponying up deposits can pose a problem for many.

Some Puerto Ricans find themselves living week to week in run-down motels that line Kissimmees main artery because that is the only option, Mr. Otero said.

And many realize that their English, while passable in Puerto Rico, needs refining here, making it tricky to find jobs, said Betsy Franceschini, the head of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration office here. Her advice: Enroll in English classes.

Reports of people packing up and moving back to Puerto Rico appear to be on the rise, she said. Those that plan have better success, she said. Its a shock to those who did not do the research ahead of time.

Even when someone arrives with a good job and perfect English, the transition can be rocky. Mr. Hernandez, who was recruited from Puerto Rico, where he trained teachers to work for Osceola High School because of his specialty in teaching English language learners, wound up first sharing a mobile home with a stranger, then in two motels (including one with bedbugs) with his wife and child. He said other Puerto Ricans were also living in the motels.

His Osceola job offer had arisen unexpectedly, and he had just returned from an expensive vacation with his family, leaving little cash for deposits. Ultimately, he got help through a program called Families in Transition.

The living conditions were horrible in the motel, said Mr. Hernandez, who is originally from New York and has participated in a TEDx talk onteaching English as a second language.

But returning to Puerto Rico, where his career seemed frozen, raises were nonexistent and taxes were escalating, seemed unthinkable.

Now he is in a two-bedroom beautiful apartment across from the school, and the family is settling in nicely and his teaching career glimmers with promise.

I really believe that I am in the right place in the right time, he said.

For the original report go tohttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/25/us/central-florida-emerges-as-mainland-magnet-for-puerto-ricans.html?emc=edit_th_20150825&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=41473240

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Repeating Islands | News and commentary on Caribbean ...

Islands are areas of land that are not connected to a continent and are surrounded by water. Small islands are sometimes called cays, keys, or islets. A group of islands is often called an archipelago.

There are two main type of islands; continental islands and oceanic islands. Continental islands are part of a continental shelf. One example of this is Great Britain is an island that sits on the continental shelf of Europe. Oceanic islands are islands that don't sit on a continental shelf. Many oceanic islands are formed by undersea volcanoes like Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean.

Below are some of the major islands in the world:

Greenland

Greenland is by far the world's largest island that is not a continent. It covers 822,706 square miles which is more than double the second largest island, New Guinea. For such a large island, Greenland only has a population of around 56,000 people making it one of the least densely populated places in the world. This is because most of Greenland is covered by a sheet of ice. Greenland is part of the continent of North America, but politically has generally been part of Europe through the country of Denmark.

Great Britain

Great Britain is the ninth largest island in the world and is the largest island in the British Isles. It is the third most populated island in the world. The British Empire was centered here and at its peak in the 18th to 20th century was the largest empire in the history of the world. It is part of Europe and is located off the northwest coast of France.

Madagascar

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. It's located off the southeast coast of Africa. Madagascar is home to many animal and plant species that can't be found anywhere else on the planet. Around 80% of the plant and animal life on the island can only be found on Madagascar. It is so unique some scientists refer to it as the eighth continent.

Originally posted here:

Geography for Kids: Islands - Ducksters

Coral and Raya Islands Off Phuket's southern coast lie a number of small islands whose pristine shores lure scuba divers and beach bums away from the mainland. Most of these isolated islands are undeveloped, but the notable exceptions are Coral Island and Ko Raya (also known as Ko Racha) which have accommodation options and restaurants. Both islands have safe swimming, reefs teeming with aquatic life, and a sense of getting away from it all that's harder and harder to come by in Phuket proper. Coral Island is read more about Coral and Raya Islands

Ko Adang Far out in the Andaman Sea, the formidable mountains of Ko Adang rise over Ko Lipe like a protective uncle. The two islands are so close together that if arriving to Lipe at Pattaya Beach, you may very well assume that Adang's lushly forested southern eminence is part of Lipe's interior. In fact, the two neighbours could hardly be more different. While both islands are technically part of Tarutao National Park, development and mass tourism have taken a firm hold on Lipe. In contrast, Adang read more about Ko Adang

Ko Bulon Lae Kicking a football in the sea breeze, school kids laugh on their beachside field. Local sea gypsies smile at backpackers and families who lounge outside their simple bungalows. Flowers and butterflies abound. Away from the over-development and other problems found on more popular Thai islands, Ko Bulon Lae quietly preserves its rural tranquility. If that sounds wonderful, well, it truly is. But it takes a special sort of person to appreciate this one-of-a-kind island in the Andaman Sea. read more about Ko Bulon Lae

Ko Chang Sometimes called the Beast of the East thanks to its sheer mass and location in the eastern Gulf of Thailand near Cambodia, Ko Chang might just be the quintessential Thai island destination. From breathtaking mountains to idyllic beaches, hippy hangouts to salubrious resorts, and traditional fishing villages to neon nightlife, Elephant Island truly has something for everyone. Some say that Ko Chang's name derives from its shape on a map that somewhat resembles the head of an elephant. read more about Ko Chang

Ko Chang Noi Not to be confused with the far bigger and better known Ko Chang of Trat province in the Gulf of Thailand, little Ko Chang or, as we have always known it, Ko Chang Noi is a formidable destination in its own right. One of Thailand's quietest, most relaxed, and undeveloped islands, Ko Chang Noi makes up for its lack of sparkle with an artsy, laid back atmosphere you'll find nowhere else. Don't expect luxury resorts and bus loads of short-term holiday makers but rather rustic read more about Ko Chang Noi

Ko Jum The little-known Andaman island of Ko Jum (aka Ko Pu) strikes an ideal balance of great beaches, thin crowds and ultra-relaxing atmosphere. With mass tourism having been left to neighbouring Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta, Jum's Muslim residents have happily preserved their traditional lifestyle. So enchanting is Ko Jum that we'll go out on a limb to call it one of our favourite Thai islands. Colourful fishing hamlets dot the east coast, where longtail boats bob amid the seaside villages and read more about Ko Jum

Ko Kham An idealic little blink-and-you'll-miss-it island barely a kilometre from Ko Maak, Ko Kham was once the perfect spot to really get away from it all. Crystal-clear waters and a number of coral reefs made the island popular with the snorkelling crowd and many boat outings from Ko Chang stopped here for an hour or two to have a look into the not-so-deep. A series of black volcanic rocks jut out of the snow-white sand on the island's eastern beach, and for those on the island they made for read more about Ko Kham

Ko Kho Khao Just a ten minute boat ride from the Takua Pa area of Phang Nga province, Ko Kho Khao (pronounced kaw koe cow) doesnt look very different from the mainland. However, for those seeking a family beach destination thats not as remote as nearby Ko Phra Thong but not as busy as Khao Lak or Phuket, Kho Khao is worth a visit. The islands long golden beaches are the main draw, and aesthetically these are similar to the beaches of the Khao Lak area further south. The waters are slightly murky read more about Ko Kho Khao

Ko Kradan A thin slip of an island off the coast of Trang province, Ko Kradan boasts a gorgeous white-sand beach stretching between fluffy green hills and the cerulean blue Andaman Sea. Also home to some good snorkelling and low-tide sandbars that make for the beach walk of a lifetime, Kradan is among Thailand's more visually spectacular islands. With some advanced planning, anyone from solo gap-year backpackers to groups of old friends to honeymooning couples and flashpacking families can enjoy a read more about Ko Kradan

Ko Kut We're going to go out on a limb and declare Ko Kut (also spelt Ko Kood) to be the most beautiful island we've seen in Thailand over two decades of travel to the kingdom. There. We said it. It really is just drop dead gorgeous. And we strongly recommend you add it to your itinerary the next time you holiday in Thailand. Set to the south of better known Ko Chang and Ko Maak, Ko Kut is a large, mountainous island whose interior remains largely jungle covered and whose western and southern read more about Ko Kut

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The best islands in Southeast Asia - Travelfish

ST. MARTIN

If there's any complaint about this part-French, part-Dutch island-piled high with nightclubs, restaurants, and resortsit's that there's too much of everything. But in the wake of the global economic downturn, construction has slowedand even, in a sense, reversed. A string of hurricane-battered structures at Mullet Bay on the Dutch side was torn down (after 15 years) and replaced by a provisional park. On the French side, the 154-acre private nature reserve Loterie Farm continues to grow, adding poolside cabanas to its zip-line course, hiking trails, and other outdoorsy amenities (loteriefarm.com, hiking $7, zip line $48, pool access $28, 10-person cabana $240). And following a 13-year effort, the Man of War Shoal reef earned certification as a marine park, giving divers new reasons to take the plunge.

There's a reason Aruba's luxury hotels, glitzy casinos, and designer boutiques are concentrated along this Dutch island's western edge: the spectacular sunsets. Yet even a non-morning person might want to sample the sunrise side for its weekly street party called Carubbean Festival (297/582-3777). Every Thursday night, food and drink vendors set up stands to sell regional specialties, primarily to local transplants hungering for a taste of home. This cross-cultural mixer takes place, appropriately enough, in the working-class community of San Nicolas, built to house oil-refinery workers who immigrated here in the 1920s. "Aruba has opened its doors to many other islandersa lot of Jamaicans, Haitians, Dominicans," says Ruthlene Flemming, an Aruba native and the event's coordinator. "It's our melting pot. And here, you can experience a little bit of the whole Caribbean." The sunrise side is also home to cactus-studded Arikok National Park, which features rebuilt access roads, trails, and a new visitors center, thanks to a $10 million grant from the EU (arubanationalpark.org, adult admission $10). The best budget-hotel option, however, is back on the west side about a $20 cab ride away: MVC Eagle Beach, a 19-room inn with ocean-view terraces, all-white bedding, and dark-wood furniture (mvceaglebeach.com, from $145).

Some solitude seekers insist there's a direct relationship between proximity and peace: The farther you travel, the more quiet things get. Then there's Cat Island, a 48-mile-long coral outcrop just 265 miles east of Florida and only 45 minutes from Nassau. SkyBahamas Airlines flies to Cat Island daily from Nassau (skybahamas.net, round-trip from $169), yet of the over 5 million travelers to the Bahamas last year, only a fraction made a call on Cat. What they found here wasn't much, and in a good way: thatch-roof beach bars and empty pink-sand bays, diving and gentle hikes up Mt. Alvernia, the Bahamas's highest point at 206 feet above sea level. There's a great waterfront restaurant in Arthur's Town called Da Smoke Pot that serves sweet-and-sour conch and rum punch, and hosts musicians on the porch playing Bahamian songs on the musical saw (242/354-2094, sweet-and-sour conch $15). Nearby Pigeon Cay Beach Club occupies a three-mile strand with seven simple, stand-alone rental cottages (pigeoncaybahamas.com, from $140).

St. Croix, at 82 square miles, is larger than St. Thomas and St. John combined, yet of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, it gets the fewest visitors. Why? It's the most remote and the least developedgood news for the agriculture-rich island's burgeoning food scene. Among the most notable foodie stops are the farmstays and weekend workshops at the Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute on the island's certified organic Ridge to Reef Farm (visfi.org; tours daily from $25; visit website for farmstay retreat options), and the annual St. Croix Food & Wine Experience, a festive, weeklong charity event in April that draws big-name chefs such as Top Chef Masters star Graham Elliot Bowles and James Beard award-winner Ana Sortun (stcroixfoodandwine.com, events from $50). Sports culture is also thriving in all that open space. Horseback riding and triathlons are popular, as well as diving and other water sports. One of the newer options: Sea Thru Kayaks VI's tours through the island's two bioluminescent bays (seathrukayaksvi.com, 90-minute tours $50). "Go when the moon isn't full, and you can really see the lights twinkling," says local restaurateur and sommelier Katherine Pugliese, a cofounder of the food festival. "You feel like you're in pixie-land."

Note:This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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10 Most-Visited Caribbean Islands | Travel Deals, Travel ...

Im a beach lover. The sun and I get along quite well, and theres nothing Id rather do than live on a tropical island someday. One of the main purposes of my travels is to avoid winter. Ive been to islands all over the world, though there are still some paradises this nomad has yet to see.

But Ive accumulated many favorites along the way. These are the ten top islands and beaches in the world where people can sit back, relax, enjoy the sun, and wonder if they really should board that flight home.

Located off the east coast of Africa, these islands are pure paradise. If anywhere in the world would convince me to give it all up and live in a beach hut, the Seychelles would be it. Perfect beaches, perfect water, tons of islands to choose from, and all the seclusion you could want. The Seychelles are my dream and should be yours, too. This group of 115 islands offers everything a beach lover could ask for. Sadly, these islands are pretty expensive, but I guess there is a price to pay for paradise. The best time to visit is during the cool season from May to September, when it rains less.

To start planning your trip, read my guide to the Seychelles for more information.

Located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this chain of 1,000 islands (200 are inhabited, and only 5 have any substantial population) is just a series of coral atolls that are barely above sea level. During the 2004 Tsunami, many of these islands were completely washed away. The government has built flood barriers to help lessen the impact of any future tsunamis. These little coral islands are surrounded by excellent diving, snorkeling, and white sand beaches, and are filled with friendly locals. Private resorts litter the islands, and a vacation here is also very pricey. Luckily, Bangkok Airways offers cheap flights to and from Thailand. The best time to go to the Maldives is during November to May, when the weather is cool and dry. June through October sees wetter and hotter weather due to the monsoon season.

To start planning your trip, read my guide to travel in the Maldives for more on what to see and do.

Located in southern Thailand, this semi-off-the-map island is one of my favorites and the month I spent here remains one of my most fond memories. Here on Ko Lipe, the super-friendly locals bring in the daily catch for amazing seafood, as the islands water is teeming with life. Accommodation is still basic, and most places turn off the electricity around midnight. Close to this island is a little island that provides excellent snorkeling opportunities. You may even spot a few reef sharks. Bathtub-warm water and fine sand beaches kept me here for over three weeks. It will do the same for you. Visit between November and March for the best weather and the fewest people. May through October sees a harsh monsoon season that shuts the island down. The best way to get there is by boat from Pak Bara.

To start planning your trip, read my guide to Ko Lipe travel for more on what to see and do.

This tourist mecca is voted one of the best islands in the world year after year. Theres enough room on Bali for everyone, the surfing is great, the food amazing, its dirt cheap, the parties are great, the locals are some of the friendliest in the world, theres a volcano to climb, and there are temples to see. Clearly, Bali has it all. Bombings in 2004 and 2005 hurt tourism on the island, but the government increased security and there have been no problems since. For those looking for a move active tropical vacation, Bali is the place to go. The weather remains pretty constant all year round, though April to October sees slightly drier weather. And once you move north away from the tourist centers, the island becomes the peaceful place of legend.

To start planning your trip, read my travel guide to Bali for more on what to see and do.

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Top Ten Best Tropical Islands - Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

I went to this Islands for a traditional "Sunday Funday" that ended up not being as great as expected.

I ordered a spicy bloody mary and is was super delicious. It had just the right amount of spice and their mix was out of this world. I also ordered the guiltless veggie tacos which were fresh and grilled to perfection. I almost opted out of getting the slaw but I'm glad I did. It wasn't your traditional slaw with a mayonnaise but instead it had a vinegar base. Yum!

I also love their bottomless fries. They seemed to re-vamp them because the fries were whole and not the little nibblets that I used to receive.

However, the server knocked over water all over us and then we didn't even get a dessert to say sorry. The boyfriend had soaked pants and I got it pretty good too. The manager knew of the situation but laughed it off. Boo!

Three stars for food, zero for service.

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Feel the rush of adrenaline as the most innovative rides, shows and interactive attractions ever created challenge all your senses at Universal's Islands of Adventure.

At Universals Islands of Adventure the world's most cutting-edge rides and attractions make you the hero of your favorite stories, myths, legends, cartoons, comic books and children's tales. You'll join Harry Potter and his friends in an unforgettable adventure on the groundbreaking ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Battle villains on The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. Plunge down an 85-foot waterfall to escape the jaws of a hungry T-rex on the Jurassic Park River Adventure . Cheer on the heroes as you enjoy the explosive feats of The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad stunt show. Help save the day as you hurtle down the Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls flume ride. Spin and whirl through the mischievous world of The Cat in the Hat. It's action, thrills and excitement for all ages and it's only at Universal's Islands of Adventure.

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Attractions at Islands of Adventure

The oldest and northernmost island in the Island chain is graced with dramatic, natural beauty. Outdoor adventures and romantic escapades flourish on Kauai. Explore the beaches of theCoconut Coast, seeWaimea Canyon, "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific," or take a boat ride to marvel at the towering cliffs of theNapali Coast.

Kauai Highlights: Wailua RiverHawaiis only navigable river. Napali Coast Spectacular sea cliffs on Kauais north coast. Poipu Beach Park Voted one of Americas best beaches. Waimea Canyon Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

LEARN MORE ABOUT KAUAI

Home to the state capitol and the majority of Hawaii's population, Oahu is a vibrant mix of natural and cultural wonders with the modern arts, entertainment and amenities of the 21st century. See pro surfers charge the big winter waves of the legendaryNorth Shore, relive American history at the memorials and museums ofPearl Harbor, or soak up the sun and take a surfing lesson onWaikikiBeach.

Oahu Highlights: Waikiki Iconic gathering place for visitors from around the world. Pearl Harbor Explore the historic sites recounting the Pearl Harbor attack. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve One of Hawaiis premier snorkeling sites. Nuuanu Pali Lookout Historic spot with fantastic mountain views. North Shore Legendary birthplace of big wave surfing.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OAHU

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Choose Your Hawaiian Island | GoHawaii.com

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Photograph by Jodi Cobb

Lacy breakers lap the coral reef that rings Bora-Bora, an ancient sunken volcano 165 miles (266 kilometers) northwest of Tahiti in French Polynesia's Society Islands. Surrounded by sugar-white beaches, an electric-blue lagoon, and some of the clearest water on the planet, Bora-Bora is home to hundreds of species of tropical fish.

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Photograph by David Doubilet

Approximately 60 miles (100 kilometers) from Belize City, the almost perfectly circular Blue Hole is more than 1,000 feet (300 meters) across and some 400 feet (120 meters) deep. The hole is the opening to what was a dry cave system during the Ice Age. When the ice melted and the sea level rose, the caves were flooded, creating what is now a magnet for intrepid divers.

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Photograph by James Stanfield

A dramatic collar of coral reefs rings Mondriki Island, foreground, and Monu Island, background, two of Melanesia's Fiji Islands. The Fiji Islands are made up of 333 islands in the South Pacific, known for their sparkling beaches, coral gardens, and lush rain forests.

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Islands, Isles Pictures, Aerial Photos, Download ...