Gasparillo Island
{{distinguish|Gasparilla Island}}
{{Infobox islands
|name = Gasparillo Island
|image_name = TnT Chaguaramas Centipede Island 2.jpg
|image_caption = Gasparillo Island in the right foreground, with Gaspar Grande island pictured behind
|image_size = 250px
|map = Trinidad and Tobago
|map_caption = Location of Gasparillo Island off the north-western peninsular of Trinidad
|nickname = Centipede Island, Little Gasparee
|location =
|archipelago =
|total_islands = 2
|area_km2 =
|length_km =
|width_km =
|coastline_km =
|highest_mount =
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|population = Uninhabited
|population_as_of = 2015
|country = Trinidad and Tobago
|additional_info =
}}
Gasparillo is a small island in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is one of the Bocas Islands (also referred to as Dragons' Teeth), which lie in the Bocas del Dragón (Spanish for Dragon's Mouths) between the main island of Trinidad and Venezuela. The island is currently uninhabited.
Characteristics
Gasparillo is actually made up of two islands separated by several metres of rocks. However the second island is very small and is not independently named. The main island a little over 200 metres in length but is very narrow, less than 50 metres at its widest point, approximately 8,000 m2 in area. It is, as with most islands around the Paria Peninsular, covered with dry forest vegetation, and composed of a limestone bedrock with caves. Several species of birds nest at the island, including the short-tailed swift that nest on the eastern side of the island.
History
The Gasparillo name has been derived because of its small size relative to the much larger Gaspar Grande Island, located just to the south of it. It has also been called Scorpion Island and Centipede Island due to the nature of its fauna. Sometime in the 19th century, it was also referred to as Gopee, based on one of its owners "Guppy", a Trinidad naturalist. He did not retain possession of the island due to a failure of paying land tax.de Verteuil 2006, pg. 68
In the 20th century it was bought or leased by a businessman, C.C. Stollmeyer, with the intent of quarrying limestone from the island. However he found the makeup of the island was not conducive to the venture due to its hollowness{{Citation needed|reason=Unverifeid report of C.C. Stollmeyer, provide source|date=November 2022}}. He subsequently leased the smaller island to the Gransaull family who built a holiday home. The United States leased areas in Trinidad under the Destroyers for Bases Agreement in 1940. Thus, the government regained possession of the island after World War II as United States military bases on Trinidad were disbanded in 1950.World War II Database
Currently, the island is known for its recreational cliff jumping activities.Top Five Activities When Exploring Trinidad’s Northwest Coast The island is only accessible by swimming to its rocky eastern bank from a boat, before taking a steep and unmarked climb up the hills undergrowth. On the south side of the island is a 40-foot (12 meter) cliff where thrill seekers can jump to the sea.
See also
References
- {{cite book
| last = de Verteuil
| first = Anthony
| title = Western Isles of Trinidad
| publisher = The Litho Press
| year = 2002
| isbn = 978-976-9500-85-3 }}
- {{cite web
| last =
| first =
| author-link =
| title = Centipede and Kronstadt
| work =
| publisher = Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
| date = 2005-05-29
| url = http://www.newsday.co.tt/people/print,0,27959.html
| doi =
| access-date = 2008-07-06}}
- {{cite web
| last =
| first =
| author-link =
| title = Trinidad
| work =
| publisher = World War II Database
| date = 2018-01-01
| url = https://ww2db.com/country/trinidad
| doi =
| access-date = 2022-07-06}}
- {{cite web
| last =
| first =
| author-link =
| title = Top Five Activities When Exploring Trinidad’s Northwest Coast
| work =
| publisher = Travel Agent Central
| date = 2016-05-06
| url = https://www.travelagentcentral.com/destinations/top-five-activities-when-exploring-trinidad-s-northwest-coast
| doi =
| access-date = 2022-07-06}}
Notes
{{Reflist}}
{{Islands of Trinidad and Tobago}}
{{coord|10|40|34.85|N|61|39|11.48|W|region:TT_type:isle_source:GNS-enwiki|display=title}}