Isla Simpson is an uninhabited island located in the Gulf of California, 250 miles south of the Baja California Peninsula. It covers an area of 2.8 square miles, and is surrounded by the waters of the Gulf of California, the Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf of California.
Simpson Island was discovered on November 10, 1822 by hunting and exploring group led by Lieutenant George Vancouver while he was on his second voyage of exploration in search of a sea route to Asia.
History
Isla Simpson was discovered on November 10, 1822 by hunting and exploring group led by Lieutenant George Vancouver while he was on his second voyage of exploration in search of a sea route to Asia.
British explorer John Charles Frémont surveyed the island and named it after Isabella Simpson, daughter of American trapper Jedediah Smith. The island remained uninhabited until 1924 when construction crews building a chain link fence along the Gulf Coast inadvertently cut through some native populations’ habitats during their clearing operations. From that point onwards, humans began sporadically visiting the island for its se clusion, and its terrain features, protected waters of the island were represented a source of wealth.
Unicoi Resort quickly filled up as one could obtain exclusive rights to build on or live there for big sums from landowners based in California who wanted better protection than government-owned land offered; however, this did not always stop visitors keen for a secluded vacation home. In 1940 Isla Simpson was still uninhabited (as access had been permitted several times earlier).
Large amounts of oil were soon discovered on unoccupied portions (and are now legally owned) by Standard Oil Company under lease given by the Mexican government, thus allowing construction of a refinery and oil export facilities was begun in 1941. Unicoi Resort’s co-founder Bill Hamilton became wealthy as the island hosted some longtime residents (including retired Caley International executive Ardis Howe) who made substantial renovations using that money; they eventually left largely due to increases in taxes imposed by new corporate owners after buying out the resort from Standard Oil Company.
Climate
Isla Simpson has a hot, humid climate (Köppen: “Am”; according to the World Meteorological Organization, Isla Simpson is located in the Cape Verde Islands Zone of the Atlantic Ocean). The island receives an average of of precipitation per year. The wettest month is December with an average of , while July averages only .
The temperature ranges from during the day to at night. There are occasional frosty nights that can go as low as in January or February. Generally, however, temperatures remain high throughout most months and there isn’t much variation between summer and winter.
There is a typhoon season from May to September, when in tropical East Asia, typhoons are referred as “typhoons”. However, Isla Simpson rarely sees any of these; just one hit the island for an overnight visit on December 12-13th 1998 with sustained wind speeds at 40 m/s (130 km/h), although this didn’t receive much publicity locally until a few weeks later following a boat launch accident that killed two people and caused severe damage two miles south of Uceda Island.
Culture
Isla Simpson’s cultural attractions are limited to a few places including the Pope Farm, which remains open as a tourist attraction; and Uceda Island, which is popular for its waterfalls. The island also has a school (and possibly an airstrip) that served children of plantation workers in the early days but now there are no inhabitants on Isla Simpson.
There is evidence of human habitation dating back over two thousand years, with agriculture beginning around fifty centuries ago. However it was not until the 1930s that plantations began to be established on Isla Simpson as part of US oil company Standard Oil, who saw it as a stop-over point for shipping to Panama. Most of the island’s population were employed in this period with an estimated maximum influx at 3700 people while there was still a significant population on Isla Cayo Espíritu Santo only two miles away.
Politics
The island is currently uninhabited, but politically it belongs to the Republic of Panama. However, it may be more relevant to consider the island as a district of Colombia.
As for all of Panama, Isla Simpson has its own armed forces known as Defensa Civil which is part of the Panamanian Defense Force (PDF). There is a story of how the island comes under Panama’s jurisdiction, which states that it was once part and parcel of Colombia. (Alfonso de Portuo et al, History Of The Islands In Gatun Lake.) It remains to be seen what the island will feel when having another dialect in Spanish – or some other language bothpanamanian or not – as so many speak English with accent variation depending on where they come from e.g.:
Southern United States people tend to tell you something like: “Gee whiz! We’ve been gone for awhile!” due to this island’s proximity to the US.
According to a book “Heaven and Hell on Isla Soliman – Distant Sailing Neighbors”, published by The Inter-American Press, Panama is owed eight million Puerto Rican pesos or approximately 210,000 USD in royalties on revenues from tourists visiting its island.
Government services
The island is part of the Ruta Paisa, which links the Atlantic coasts of Colombia and Panama. The island has a small hospital known as La Isla – Isla Simpson Hospital, managed by the Ministry of Health.
The island also has a primary school serving grades 1-6 with 4 teachers; there are plans to add an additional grade each year. Offering students their own class room apart from those in other classrooms can foster independence and enthusiasm in learning, both for native Panamanians and foreign nationals living on or visiting the island.
Conclusion
Isla Simpson is a small atoll located in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. It is a popular tourist destination due to its idyllic setting, beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters. However, Isla Simpson’s real attraction lies in the fact that it is the only place in the world where you can find white-tailed tropicbirds.
These birds are so rare that you are unlikely to find them anywhere else on earth. If you’re looking for an adventurous and serene way to spend your holidays, Isla Simpson Island is definitely the place for you!
FAQs
1 . What Is The Climate Like On Isla Simpson?
The island has a mild, tropical climate. temperatures range from 78° F in summer to 54° F in winter. The average annual rainfall is around 26 inches, and the island experiences only about four months of complete darkness each year.
- How Long Will It Take Me To Get There From My Home Country?
It takes about 10 hours by air to reach Isla Simpson from North America, but you can also fly via Mexicali or Tijuana airport in Mexico which would cut down your travel time considerably. Sea travel to Isla Simpson takes about 20 hours, and can be done non-stop via the Ocean Network which will take you directly from Valparaíso.
- How Far Is It Away?
Isla Sauce owns a modern air link with Santiago in Chile (915 miles) but there are no direct flights available between Mexico City and Isla Simpson. However, you can fly via Santiago and travel north to Puerto Montt in Chile (550 miles) then take a local flight which is run by the Naval Airwing of Chile. This will shorten your journey considerably
4 . What Are Typical Weather Patterns Like On Isla Sauce?
Unlike other island states, there is little uniformity throughout the year with two rainy seasons lasting twelve months each instead of just one – November through January and December though April through May. Most people go during summer when it’s sunny all day long but rainbows adorning clouds appear frequently while watching waves roll in quite often during winter.
5 . What Are The Benefits To Living On Isla Sauce?
There are many benefits to living on Isla Simpson. First, the island is a haven for peace and tranquility. The mild weather throughout the year makes it a perfect place to escape city life without having to leave your warm bed at night or fight severe weather conditions any other time of year. Additionally, there are no cars on the island so you can relax and enjoy nature without worrying about traffic jams or pollution.
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