Isla Lemuy Island – You Have To Know

Isla lemuy island is a small island located in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Originally claimed by Spain, the island was sold to the United States in the 1850s as part of the Gadsden Purchase.

The island served as a naval base during World War II. In 1959, it was sold to Mexican citizens as part of the Tlatelolco Accords.

Isla Lemuy Island History: Don’t Miss Out

Isla Lemuy was originally claimed by Spain. In 1850, it was sold to the United States as part of the Gadsden Purchase. The island served as a naval base during World War II. In 1959, it was sold to Mexican citizens as part of the Tlatelolco Accords.

Geography and climate

Isla Lemuy is a small island, which lies southwest of the Baja California Peninsula. The island has an area of about 15.4 km². It is about 4 miles long, and only 0.6 miles wide at its widest point. Its coasts slope from north to south, with the island’s highest elevation reaching up to 705 meters (2,300 feet) above sea level on a mountain in the southwest section of the island known as Cerro Betio (“buttress”).

Isla Lemuy has a hot desert climate (Köppen “BWh”), combining hot summers near 40 °C and mild winters just below freezing temperatures year round producing little rain throughout most of it duration .

Isla Lemuy has no major rivers, streams, lakes or permanent water sources apart from natural springs generated in the island’s evaporative basins. The island is part of a rain shadow basin and as such receives little rainfall on average over most of the year but does receive about 4–10 inches per annum during its warmest spring months (March to May).

However it averages “arid” rather than “semi-desert” conditions due to mild temperatures and scarce annual precipitation levels. Most precipitation falls between June and September which can sometimes produce significant snowfall in the late winter months however.

While it was originally understood that Isla Lemuy supported a diverse array of flora, new findings have since concluded this island to hold few if any forested areas throughout its surface area barring its hill tops and north rift zone where eucalyptus grows natively .

Climate

Isla Lemuy has a hot desert climate, with warm to hot summers and mild winters. The island does not experience a great deal of precipitation throughout the year, averaging about 4-10 inches per annum, but can receive significant snowfall in the late winter months.

Annual average precipitation ranges from 8 inches at the Cariña sector, to 11.5 inches on La Risca and Muyungue sectors. Average annual temperatures range from 27 °C in the warmer valley floor of Cerro Betio to about 13 °C scattered along island’s windward slopes during its coldest months (November-February).

The hot dry climate has naturally evolved eucalyptus, areca lily and cholla cactus vegetation all spreading throughout most of island interior regions, however few eucalyptuses can be found on island’s true, windward, rugged topographic bands which include Monte Carmelo Cerro Betio and Pumas.

Politics

Isla Lemuy is administered as a part of Cariño province, one of the seventeen provinces in the Santiago Metropolitan Region. It has its own elected government, comprising representatives from each sector of island’s society.

Economy

The primary economic activity on Isla Lemuy is subsistence agriculture and forestry, with smallholder farmers specializing in growing eucalyptus for lumber and palm oil production. There are also a limited number of tourism-related businesses providing services such as guided tours to local eucalyptus groves, butterfly sanctuaries and vantage points overlooking the island ‘s valleys.

Government services

Isla Lemuy is served by a small military detachment, the “Detachment of the Chile Army Forces in Cariño” which provides police services to the island and responds to calls for assistance from other municipalities within Cariño province.

Roads and air transportation

Air travel to Isla Lemuy is served by several island airstrips, however only one public road connects its four inhabited communities – La Cruz in the northwestern valley of Cerro Betio, Los Muertos in between these settlement areas, Pumas on the island’s westernmost tip at Villa Huarati and Cariña near sea level near Puerto Republica.

As such this makes provision for transport impracticable without use of private vehicles or polleros (an informal taxi service) ferrying people to other parts of mainland Santiago province (or to Pumas).

Tourism

The island’s principal attraction is its eucalyptus forests, which are believed to contain the world’s oldest living trees. There are also a variety of other natural attractions, including hot springs, waterfalls and hiking trails. Furthermore, the island’s eucalyptus trees have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tourism is therefore limited in nature but eucalyptus farminers are beginning to receive substantial additional income from their forested lands as logging for lumber and palm oil production is becoming more economically viable due to high labor costs, relative scarcity of supply and demand restrictions on capital investment.

Conclusion

Isla Lemuy Island, also known as Isla de la Luna, is an uninhabited island located in the Gulf of California about 240 kilometres off the coast of Baja California. The island is one of the best places to observe the annual migration of the yellow-footed penguin.

FAQs:

1.What Is The Island’s Official Name?

Ans. Isla Lemuy is the island’s formal name, while Isla de la Luna or La Luna refers to its Spanish designation.

2.When Was It Purchased By The United States?

Ans. The island was part of a larger purchase from Spain in 1850 known as the Gadsden Purchase. It served as a naval base during World War II, and has since been transferred back to Mexican ownership.

3.How Long Has It Been Uninhabited?

Ans. The island has not been inhabited since 1959, when the Tlatelolco Accords transferred it to Mexican ownership as part of a peace treaty between the United States and Mexico.

4.What Is Its Size?

Ans. Isla Lemuy measures about 10 km by 5 km, making it one of the smallest islands in the Gulf of California.

5.What Are Some Interesting Facts About This Island?

Ans. Some interesting facts about Isla Lemuy include that it is home to a variety of wildlife including yellow-footed penguins , rock eagles, and coastal scrub jays. It has two lagoons of saline water that support a diverse array of animal life including fish, shrimp, mussels, prawns and crayfishes as well as other salt-tolerant flora such as Sagebrush Cactus.