- Pearl Islands
The Pearl Islands (Spanish: Archipiélago de las Perlas or Islas de las Perlas) are a group of 100 or more islands (many tiny and uninhabited) lying about 30 miles off the Pacific coast of
Panama in theGulf of Panama .Islands
The most notable island is Contadora Island (or
Isla Contadora in Spanish), known for its resorts. Contadora was said to be used by the Spanishconquistador s as a stop for taking inventory of booty prior to returning to Spain, hence the name ("contador" means counter or bookkeeper in Spanish). Contadora is a resort island, with many homes owned by wealthy Panamanians. There is a large hotel and other cabins available. Most of the resort workers live on nearbyIsla Saboga . In 1979, theShah of Iran briefly took exile on Isla Contadora. Domestic airlinesAir Panama andAero Perlas run frequent flights betweenPanama City and Contadora, Isla San Jose andIsla del Rey .The largest island, at about 30 square miles, is
Isla del Rey ("Island of the King"), its name probably a religious reference rather than a reference to a secular king. Isla del Rey has several towns, most notably San Miguel. It is easily larger than the other Pearl Islands combined, and is the second largest island in Panama, afterCoiba .Other islands are Bolano, Buena Vista, Cana, Casaya, Chepra, Chitre, Cocos, Espiritu Santo, Galera, Gallo, Gilbraleon, Lampon, Marin, Mina, Mogo Mogo o Pajaro, Pacheca, Pachequille, Pedro Gonzalez, Puerco, San Jose, Senora, Vivenda, Vivienda and Viveros.
Publicity
The Pearl Islands were featured in three seasons of the
reality TV program "Survivor", namely ', ' and "".See also
*
Contadora Group
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
