Population of the Insular Region Most Relevant Characteristics

The population of the island region of Colombia has varied characteristics. The most remarkable thing is found in their physical features, which present indigenous, Afro-American, mestizo and white characteristics..

This region covers an area of ​​approximately 300 km^two. Demographic studies carried out in the country indicate that about 22% of the total Colombian population resides between the coast and this region..

It is estimated that approximately 70,000 people currently live in this region. More than 50% of the residents are African American, more than 40% are white and mestizo, and less than 5% of the population is gypsy or indigenous.

Territorial composition

The territorial composition will be detailed below, mentioning some of the main places in this region.

Department of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina

Covers approximately 52 km^two. It is made up of the archipelago of San Andrés, with a territorial extension of 26 km^two; Providencia, with approximately 17 km^two; and Santa Catalina, with 1 km^two. It is located in the Caribbean Sea.

Archipelago of San Bernardo

It is located in the Gulf of Morrosquillo, towards the Caribbean Sea. It covers an area of ​​approximately 255 km^two.

Gorgona Island

It is located in the department of Cauca. It is approximately 26 km^two and is made up of several islands and islets located in the Pacific Ocean.

Malpelo Islet

Located in the department of Valle del Cauca. It has an area of ​​1.20 km^two and is located in the Pacific Ocean.

Coral Islands of Rosario

Its location is to the west of Cartagena, and they have 0.20 km^two Of surface.

Barú Island

It is located between the Rosario Islands and Cartagena. It has 60 km^two territorial surface.

Fort Island

This island is located in the department of Córdoba and has 3 km^two Of surface.

Demographic characteristics

According to the latest formal census reported by the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), the population that resided in the island region in 2005 was made up of 70,554 inhabitants..

These were distributed as follows:

- San Andrés: 65,627 inhabitants.

- Providencia: 4927 inhabitants.

- Santa Catalina: about 200 inhabitants.

The rest of the islands and islets were uninhabited.

The inhabitants of the insular region can become trilingual, considering that the Creole language of San Andrés, English and Spanish are spoken.

Bilingual education is compulsory in public and private educational institutions.

Socioeconomic level

In the past, the inhabitants of the insular region dedicated themselves to cultivating products such as beans, fruits, cotton and tobacco on their fertile lands..

Currently, as a result of the construction of urban developments and tourist centers, soils have been affected and agriculture has decreased. However, fishing is also a commercial activity since this is a coastal area.

The beautiful landscapes have turned the island region into an area that lives mainly from tourism.

Thousands of tourists visit it annually, seeking rest and recreation. The region was declared by the government as a free port, which gave a strong boost to commercial activity.

This promoted maritime and air transport, contributing greatly to benefit tourism activity and the development of the area..

References

1. Cultural, C. P. (23 of 10 of 2017). Island region. Obtained from colombiapatrimoniocultural.wordpress.com
2. Dane, C. d. (23 of 10 of 2017). Population distribution in the territory and Urban-Regional relations. Obtained from geoportal.dane.gov.co
3. Escobar, C. P. (1997). To the rhythm of our folklore. Bogotá: Editorial San Pablo.
4. Geografica, I. G. (1986). Basic Atlas of Colombia. California: The Institute.
5. Kline, H. F. (2012). Historical Dictionary of Colombia. Maryland: Scarecrow Press.