The San Blas Islands of Panama is an archipelago comprising approximately 365 islands and cays, of which 49 are inhabited.[1] They lie off the north coast of the Isthmus of Panama, east of the Panama Canal.[2] A part of the comarca (district) Guna Yala along the Caribbean coast of Panama is home to the Kuna people.
San Blas and its surrounding area is a haven for ecotourism because of its pristine environs. The area is also popular for sailing, as it is known for its beauty and lack of hurricanes.[3] Notable locations in the Archipelago are the main capital El Porvenir, the densely crowded island village of Carti Sugtupu, and the two keys, Cayos Limones, and Cayos Holandeses, both renowned for their clear waters.
The islands could be rendered uninhabitable by sea level rise in the late 21st century.[4]
Before the arrival of Europeans, the Guna wore few clothes and decorated their bodies with colorful designs. When encouraged to wear clothes by the missionaries, they copied these designs in their molas, which they wore as clothing.
Guna family in their traditional costume
The Guna worship a god named Erragon, who they believe came and died just for the Guna people. Driven off Panama during the Spanish invasion, the Guna fled to the surrounding 378 islands. Today their chief lives on an island called Acuadup, which means "rock island". Many Guna are hunters and fishermen. Many families live close to the mainland in villages and the families will rotate their time living on the islands. On some of the islands, children can attend school. Most of the men now speak Spanish, although the women carry on older traditions.[5][6]
From 1679 to 1681, William Dampier started and ended his first journey with privateers and pirates in these islands which he called "The Samballoes," a rendezvous-place for pirates, convenient for hiding and privacy.
Climate
The San Blas Islands have a tropical monsoon climate. Temperatures are hot all year round. There is a lengthy wet season from May to January and a short dry season in the rest of the year. [7]
blas, islands, panama, archipelago, comprising, approximately, islands, cays, which, inhabited, they, north, coast, isthmus, panama, east, panama, canal, part, comarca, district, guna, yala, along, caribbean, coast, panama, home, kuna, people, guna, yalanickna. The San Blas Islands of Panama is an archipelago comprising approximately 365 islands and cays of which 49 are inhabited 1 They lie off the north coast of the Isthmus of Panama east of the Panama Canal 2 A part of the comarca district Guna Yala along the Caribbean coast of Panama is home to the Kuna people San Blas IslandsGuna YalaNickname Archipielago de San BlasIslands entirely covered with dwellingsSan Blas IslandsLocation of the San Blas Islands in PanamaGeographyCoordinates9 57 N 78 82 W Coordinates 9 34 N 78 49 W 9 57 N 78 82 W 9 57 78 82Total islands365Major islands49AdministrationPanamaSan Blas and its surrounding area is a haven for ecotourism because of its pristine environs The area is also popular for sailing as it is known for its beauty and lack of hurricanes 3 Notable locations in the Archipelago are the main capital El Porvenir the densely crowded island village of Carti Sugtupu and the two keys Cayos Limones and Cayos Holandeses both renowned for their clear waters The islands could be rendered uninhabitable by sea level rise in the late 21st century 4 Contents 1 Tradition and legacy 2 Climate 3 See also 4 Further reading 5 References 6 External linksTradition and legacy Edit Cayuko dug out canoe Before the arrival of Europeans the Guna wore few clothes and decorated their bodies with colorful designs When encouraged to wear clothes by the missionaries they copied these designs in their molas which they wore as clothing Guna family in their traditional costume The Guna worship a god named Erragon who they believe came and died just for the Guna people Driven off Panama during the Spanish invasion the Guna fled to the surrounding 378 islands Today their chief lives on an island called Acuadup which means rock island Many Guna are hunters and fishermen Many families live close to the mainland in villages and the families will rotate their time living on the islands On some of the islands children can attend school Most of the men now speak Spanish although the women carry on older traditions 5 6 From 1679 to 1681 William Dampier started and ended his first journey with privateers and pirates in these islands which he called The Samballoes a rendezvous place for pirates convenient for hiding and privacy Climate EditThe San Blas Islands have a tropical monsoon climate Temperatures are hot all year round There is a lengthy wet season from May to January and a short dry season in the rest of the year 7 See also EditProvinces of Panama Guna Yala San Blas RebellionFurther reading EditLecumberry Michel San Blas Molas and Kuna traditions 2nd ed rev Panama Txango Publications 2006 Humphreys Sara and Calvo Raffa The Rough Guide to Panama London Rough Guides 2010 Baker Christopher P and Mingasson Gilles National Geographic Traveler Panama 2nd ed Washington DC National Geographic 2011 Banse Timothy P Basic Kuna Dictionary Words amp Phrases Middle Coast Publishing 2015 References Edit Mersmann Andrew 2009 Frommer s 500 Places Where You Can Make a Difference Frommers p 306 ISBN 0 470 16061 6 San Blas Islands Google Maps Retrieved 12 July 2013 Sailing in San Blas Islands Velero Amande Archived from the original on 24 June 2013 Retrieved 12 July 2013 Rising Sea Levels Threaten Tiny Islands Home To Indigenous Panamanians San Blas Islands Kuna Cultures TripAdvisor Retrieved 12 July 2013 History in San blas islands World66 28 October 2009 Retrieved 12 July 2013 Weather in San Blas Panama External links Edit San Blas Islands travel guide from Wikivoyage Frommer s Travel Guide Comarca Kuna Yala San Blas videos and photos Dictionary Words amp Phrases Ancient 1852 Spanish Kuna Dictionary Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title San Blas Islands amp oldid 1139513694, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
