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MARGARITA ISLAND. La
Isla Margarita, known as the
"Pearl of the Caribbean",
was first discovered by
Christopher Columbus on his
third trip to the Americas.
Margarita is situated 38 km
north east of the mainland
of Venezuela and far from
the track of Atlantic
tropical storms. Its
location as an island in the
Caribbean Sea offers lots of
beaches to explore.
Margarita Island is divided
into two sections tenuously
linked by a 24 km. sand bar
which separates the sea from
the fascinating Restinga
Lagoon National Park. At its
largest, Margarita Island
measures 67 km from east to
west (Punta Ballena to Punta
Arenas) and 32.4 kms. from
north to south. Margarita
boost a total of 167 km. of
shoreline liberally endowed
with inviting beaches. The
average temperature is 27
degrees Celsius and the
annual rainfall averages 27
inches resulting in mostly
arid landscapes with some
wooded areas mostly on he
mountain tops and fertile
valleys. Over 300,000 people
live on Margarita Island
most of whom live in the
eastern part where the where
the State's capital of
Asuncion is located. The
shoppers paradise of
Porlamar is also located in
this sector of the island.
The western part of
Margarita island is called
the Macanao Peninsula. It is
sparsely populated and has
seen little in tourist
development. Wild deer,
goats and hares roam the
mountainous interior and the
sandy beaches are only
visited by the local
fishermen.
Margarita Island was decreed
a Free Port in 1974, laying
the bases for the economical
progress of the island.
Paradoxically, the same hot
and sunny climate that
before inhibited its
development has become one
of margarita's main and very
appreciated attractions. The
climate combined with the
traditional kindness of the
natives, their profound
knowledge of the sea and
their commercial skills have
converted the island into a
splendid tourist
destination, generating the
construction of adequate
infrastructure to satisfy
the all the tastes desires
of the constant flow of
visitors from all over the
world
Beach hotels, golf courts,
marinas, malls and small
shops as well as a varied
and active nightlife add to
the entertainment - this is
Margarita Island Pearl of
the Caribbean. |
