Îles du Connétable
{{Short description|Two islands in French Guiana}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox Protected area
| name = Îles du Connétable
| photo = File:Île du grand connétable et du petit connétable.jpg
| photo_caption = Grand and Petit Connétable
| location = French Guiana, France
| map = French Guiana
| nearest_city = Cayenne
| coordinates = {{coord|4.8220|-51.9389|display=title,inline}}
| established = 8 December 1992{{cite web|url=http://www.guyane.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/Atlas_des_Sites_proteges_Chapitre4.pdf |title=Sites & Espaces Protégée |page=58 |website=Government of French Guiana|access-date=13 March 2021|language=fr}}
| area = {{convert|78.5|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} (mainly sea)
| website = [https://www.reserves-naturelles.org/ile-du-grand-connetable Reserves-Naturelles.org] (in French)
| map_caption =
| iucn_category = IV
| governing_body = Conservatoire du littoral
}}
The Îles du Connétable (Constable Islands) are two islands (Grand Connétable and Petit Connétable) in French Guiana, France. The islands are located 18 kilometres from the estuary of the Approuague River, and are part of the commune of Régina.{{cite web|url=https://www.reserves-naturelles.org/ile-du-grand-connetable |title=Île du Grand-Connétable |website=Reserves-Naturelles|access-date=14 March 2021|language=fr}}
As of 1992, the islands and surrounding ocean are part of the Île du Grand Connétable Nature Reserve.{{cite web|url=http://inpn.mnhn.fr/espace/protege/FR3600109 |title=Île du Grand-Connétable (FR3600109) |author=National Nature History Museum |year=2003 |website=Inventaire national du Patrimoine naturel |access-date=14 March 2021|language=fr }}
Overview
The islands are cliffs emerging from the seas which are completely treeless. It is nesting site for many birds like the Magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), the Cayenne tern (Thalasseus eurygnatha), the Royal tern (Thalasseus maximus), and the Laughing gull (Leucophaeus atricilla). In 1856, the islands were claimed under the Guano Islands Act for the United States of America.{{cite book|author=United States. Court of Claims|author2=District of Columbia. Court of Appeals|title= The Federal Reporter| publisher= West Publishing Company|series= National reporter| issue= v. 15| year=1883| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jhc4AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA285| access-date=14 September 2018| page=285}} In the late 19th century, phosphates were mined from Grand Connétable by France.
File:Sotalia guianensis alimentation Mahury Guyane française.jpg
The importance of the islands for the bird life, the tortoises, and the marine life was recognized. On 8 December 1992, the islands and large ocean perimeter, was designated as the first nature reserve of French Guiana. The perimeter around the islands measures 5 kilometres.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.reserves-naturelles.org/ile-du-grand-connetable Official website] (in French)
{{Nature reserves of French Guiana}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Iles Du Connetable}}
Category:Environment of French Guiana
Category:Islands claimed under the Guano Islands Act
Category:Former regions and territories of the United States
Category:Former disputed islands
Category:Nature reserves in France