Culebra, Puerto Rico - wikipedia Culebra, Puerto Rico `` Culebra Island '' redirects here. For the island in the Falkland archipelago, see Sedge Island. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( July 2010 ) Municipality in Puerto Rico, United States Culebra, Puerto Rico Municipality Flag Coat of arms Nickname ( s ) : La Isla Chiquita ( The Little Island ), Última Virgen ( Last Virgin ), Cuna del Sol Borincano ( Cradle of the Puerto Rican Sun ) Anthem : `` Culebra Isla preciosa '' Location of Culebra in Puerto Rico Coordinates : 18 ° 19 ′ 01 '' N 65 ° 17 ′ 24 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 18.31694 ° N 65.29000 ° W ﻿ / 18.31694 ; - 65.29000 Coordinates : 18 ° 19 ′ 01 '' N 65 ° 17 ′ 24 '' W ﻿ / ﻿ 18.31694 ° N 65.29000 ° W ﻿ / 18.31694 ; - 65.29000 Country United States Territory Puerto Rico Founded October 27, 1880 Government Mayor Iván Solís ( PPD ) Senatorial dist. 8 - Carolina Representative dist. 36 Area Total 11.6 sq mi ( 30.1 km ) Land 11 sq mi ( 28 km ) Population ( 2010 ) Total 1,818 Density 160 / sq mi ( 60 / km ) Racial groups ( 2000 Census ) 60.6 % White 20.9 % Black 1.0 % American Indian / AN 1.1 % Asian 0.1 % Native Hawaiian / Pi 13.0 % Some other race 3.4 % Two or more races Time zone AST ( UTC - 4 ) Zip code 00775 Isla Culebra ( Spanish pronunciation : ( kuˈleβɾa ), Snake Island ) is an island - municipality of Puerto Rico and geographically part of the Virgin Islands. It is located approximately 17 miles ( 27 km ) east of the Puerto Rican mainland, 12 miles ( 19 km ) west of St. Thomas and 9 miles ( 14 km ) north of Vieques. Culebra is spread over 5 wards and Culebra Pueblo ( Dewey ), the downtown area and the administrative center of the city. Residents of the island are known as Culebrenses. With a population of 1,818 as of the latest census, it is Puerto Rico 's least populous municipality. Originally called Isla Pasaje and Isla de San Ildefonso, Culebra is also known as Isla Chiquita ( `` Little Island '' ), Cuna del Sol Borincano ( `` Cradle of the Puerto Rican Sun '' ) and Última Virgen ( `` Last Virgin '', due to its position at the end of the Virgin Islands archipelago ). Contents 1 History 2 Geography 2.1 Nature Reserves 2.2 National protected area 3 Cityscape 3.1 Barrios 4 Tourism 4.1 Landmarks and places of interest 5 Culture 6 Economy 7 Demographics 8 Government 8.1 Government services 9 Symbols 9.1 Flag 9.2 Coat of arms 10 Education 11 Health care 12 Transportation 13 Navy Culebra protests 14 In popular culture 15 Gallery 16 See also 17 References 18 External links History Some sources claim that Christopher Columbus was the first European to arrive at the island during his second voyage in 1493. It is believed that the island was populated by Carib Indians during the colonization. After Agüeybaná and Agüeybaná II led the Taíno rebellion of 1511, Taíno Indians from the main island sought refuge on Culebra and allied with Caribs to launch random attacks at the island estates. After that, the island was left abandoned for centuries. During the era of Spanish commerce through the Americas, it was used as a refuge for pirates, as well as local fishermen and sailors. Some sources mention an Englishman named Stevens, who was put in charge of Culebra in 1875 by the Spanish crown to protect the island from foreigners. Culebra was then settled by Cayetano Escudero Sanz on October 27, 1880. This first settlement was called San Ildefonso, to honor the Bishop of Toledo, San Ildefonso de la Culebra. Two years later, on September 25, 1882, construction of the Culebrita Lighthouse began. It was completed on February 25, 1886 which made it the oldest operating lighthouse in the Caribbean until 1975, when the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard finally closed the facility. In 1902, Culebra was integrated as a part of Vieques. One year later, on June 26, President Theodore Roosevelt established the Culebra Naval Reservation. A bird refuge was established on February 27, 1909. In 1939, the U.S. Navy began to use the Culebra Archipelago as a gunnery and bombing practice site. This was done in preparation for the United States ' involvement in World War II. In 1971 the people of Culebra began protests, known as the Navy - Culebra protests, for the removal of the U.S. Navy from Culebra. Four years later, in 1975, the use of Culebra as a gunnery range ceased and all operations were moved to Vieques. Culebra was declared an independent island municipality in 1917. The first democratically elected government was put into place in 1960. Prior to this, the government of Puerto Rico appointed delegates to administer the island. Geography Culebra nautical chart Culebra is an archipelago consisting of the main island and twenty - three smaller islands that lie off its coast. The largest of these cays are : Culebrita to the east, Cayo Norte to the northeast, and Cayo Luis Peña and Cayo Lobo to the west. The smaller islands include Cayo Ballena, Cayos Geniqui, Arrecife Culebrita, Las Hermanas, El Mono, Cayo Lobito, Cayo Botijuela, Alcarraza, Los Gemelos, and Piedra Steven. Islands in the archipelago are arid, meaning they have no rivers or streams. All of the fresh water is brought from Puerto Rico via Vieques. Culebra is characterized by an irregular topography resulting in a long intricate shoreline. The island is approximately 7 by 5 miles ( 11 by 8 km ). The coast is marked by cliffs, sandy coral beaches and mangrove forests. Inland, the tallest point on the island is Mount Resaca, with an elevation of 650 ft ( 198.1 m ), followed by Balcón Hill, with an elevation of 541 ft ( 164.9 m ). Ensenada Honda is the largest harbor on the island and is considered to be the most hurricane secure harbor in the Caribbean. There are also several lagoons on the island, like Corcho, Flamenco, and Zoní. Culebrita Island also has a lagoon called Molino. Almost 80 % of the island 's area is volcanic rock from the Cretaceous period. It is mostly used for livestock pasture, as well as some minor agriculture. Average sea temperature Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 75 ° F 24 ° C 74 ° F 23 ° C 75 ° F 24 ° C 77 ° F 25 ° C 81 ° F 27 ° C 82 ° F 28 ° C 82 ° F 28 ° C 84 ° F 29 ° C 82 ° F 28 ° C 82 ° F 28 ° C 81 ° F 27 ° C 77 ° F 26 ° C Culebra on the horizon as seen from Vieques Nature reserves Map of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge These small islands are all classified as nature reserves and several nature reserves also exist on the main island. One of the oldest bird sanctuaries in United States territory was established in Culebra on February 27, 1909 by President Teddy Roosevelt. The Culebra Island Giant Anole ( Anolis roosevelti, Xiphosurus roosevelti ( according to ITIS ) ) is an extremely rare or possibly extinct anole lizard. It is native to Culebra Island and was named in honor of Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., who was the governor of Puerto Rico at that time. There are bird sanctuaries on many of the islands as well as turtle nesting sites on Culebra. Leatherback, green sea and hawksbill sea turtles use the beaches for nesting. The archipelagos bird sanctuaries are home to brown boobies, laughing gulls, sooty terns, bridled terns and noddy terns. An estimated 50,000 sea birds find their way back to the sanctuaries every year. These nature reserves comprise 1,568 acres ( 635 ha ) of the archipelago 's 7,000 acres ( 2,800 ha ). These nature reserves are protected by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Culebra has no natural large mammals. However, a population of White - tailed deer introduced in 1966 can be found on the eastern region of the island. National protected area Culebra National Wildlife Refuge Cityscape Culebra with barrios Barrios Barrio area m population ( census 2000 ) density islands in barrio Culebra barrio - pueblo 408969 652 1594.3 - Flamenco 12602398 885 70.2 Cayo Pirata, Cayo Verde, Cayo Matojo, El Ancon, Piedra Stevens, Los Gemelos, Alcarraza, Roca Lavador ( awash ), Cayo Botijuela, Cayo de Luis Peña, Las Hermanas ( Cayo del Agua, Cayo Ratón, Cayo Yerba ), El Mono, Cayo Lobo, Roca Culumna ( Part of Cayo Lobito ), Cayo Lobito, Cayo Tuna Fraile 8211978 51 6.2 Culebrita, Cayo Botella, Pelá, Pelaita Playa Sardinas I 410235 136 331.5 - Playa Sardinas II 2600088 122 46.9 - San Isidro 5857771 22 3.8 Roca Speck, Cayo Norte, Cayo Sombrerito, Cayos Geniquí, Cayo Tiburón, Cayo Ballena Culebra 30091439 1.868 62, 1 23 islands, cays and rocks Tourism Culebra is a popular weekend tourist destination for Mainland Puerto Ricans, Americans and residents of Vieques. Because of the `` arid '' nature of the island there is no run - off from rivers or streams resulting in very clear waters around the archipelago. Culebra has many beautiful beaches including Flamenco Beach ( Playa Flamenco ), rated third best beach in the world for 2014 by tripadvisor. It can be reached by shuttle buses from the ferry. The beach extends for a mile of white coral sand and is framed beautifully by arid tree - covered hills. The beach is also protected by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources as a Marine Wildlife Reserve. The area west of Flamenco Beach and the adjacent Flamenco Point were used for joint - United States Navy / Marine Corps military exercises until 1975. Many military relics, including tanks, remain in the area. Culebra and Vieques offered the U.S. military an experience of great value to the battles in the Pacific as a feasible training area for the Fleet Marine Force in amphibious exercises for beach landings and naval gunfire support testing. Culebra and Vieques were the two components of the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range Inner Range. In recent years, only the shortened term `` Inner Range '' was used. Coral Reef On Culebra Other beaches are only accessible by private car or boats. Of the smaller islands, only Culebrita and Luis Peña permit visitors and can be accessible via water taxis from Culebra. Hiking and nature photography are encouraged on the small islands. However, activities which would disturb the nature reserves are prohibited, e.g. Camping, Littering and Motor Vehicles. Camping, however, is allowed on Playa Flamenco throughout the year. Reservations are recommended. Culebra is also a popular destination for scuba divers because of the many reefs throughout the archipelago and the crystal clear waters. Landmarks and places of interest Early 20th Century warehouse, now converted into a museum. Flamenco Beach Ranked # 2 in the top 10 most exotic beaches in the world. Brava Beach Las Vacas Beach Larga Beach Pueblo Español Punta Soldado Beach Resaca Beach Tamarindo Beach Tortuga Beach Zoni Beach Culture Windsurfing Competition - February Fishing Tournament - March Patron Festivities - June Craft Festivities - November Economy In past centuries, agriculture was the main source of economy in Culebra. At some point, the following products were produced and exported from the island : wood, turtle oil, shells, fish, tobacco, livestock, pigs, goats, cheese, plantains, pumpkins, beans, yams, garlic, corn, tomatoes, oranges, coconut, cotton, melons, mangrove bark, coal, and turkey. Nowadays, Culebra 's main source of revenue comes from construction and tourism. Demographics According to the 2010 Census, the population of Culebra is 1,818. This makes the island the municipality with the smallest population in Puerto Rico. In 1894, written reports indicated that there were 519 residents living in five communities : San Ildefonso, Flamenco, San Isidero, Playa Sardinas I y II, and Frayle. There were 84 houses built, 24 of them in the San Ildefonso community. Government Culebra 's city hall. Main article : Mayoralty in Puerto Rico Like all of Puerto Rico 's municipalities, the island of Culebra is administered by a mayor, elected every four years in general elections. Initially, administrators were selected by the Spanish crown or by the United States government during the 19th and early 20th Century. In 2004, Abraham Peña Nieves was elected mayor of Culebra with 50.1 % of the votes. He was reelected in 2008. In November 2011, Peña died of prostate cancer. The next day, it was announced that his daughter, Lizaida Peña, might replace him until the 2012 general elections. However, in 2011, Ricardo López Cepero was elected by delegates to succeed Peña. López Cepero was defeated by Iván Solís in the 2012 general election. The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district VIII, which is represented by two Senators. In 2012, Pedro A. Rodríguez and Luis Daniel Rivera were elected as District Senators. Government services Culebra Post Office The United States Postal Service operates the Culebra Post Office. Symbols Flag The Culebra flag consists of five vertical stripes, three alternate yellow and two green ones. The yellow central stripe has the map of Culebra in green. Coat of arms The field is tierced in three, in the Spanish manner, vert, argent, or. The cross and the episcopal crozier symbolize Bishop San Ildefonso, because originally the island was called San Ildefonso de la Culebra. The crowned serpent ( culebra means serpent ) ondoyant in pale is the emblem of its name. The mailed arm refers to the coat of the Escudero family, first settlers of the island. The laurel cross refers to the civic triumph reached when Culebra obtained the evacuation of the United States Navy. The crest is a coronet bearing two masts, their sails filled by the wind. Education Due to its size and small population, there are only three schools on Culebra, one for each level. They are the San Ildefonso Elementary School, the Antonio R. Barceló High School, and the Luis Muñoz Rivera school. Education is administered by the Puerto Rico Department of Education. Health care There is a small hospital in the island called Hospital de Culebra. It also offers pharmacy services to residents and visitors. For emergencies, patients are transported by plane to Fajardo on the main island. Transportation The island of Culebra can be reached through private boats, ferry, or airplane. Ferry service is available from Fajardo. Ferries make several trips a day to the main island for an approximate fare of $4.50 ( round trip ). Culebra also has a small airport, Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport, with domestic service to the mainland and Vieques. The airport is served by small airlines : Air Culebra from San Juan 's Luis Muñoz Marín and Isla Grande Airports. Air Flamenco provides service from Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in Isla Grande, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, and José Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba. Vieques Air Link provides service to Culebra from San Juan and Fajardo. M&N Aviation from Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in Isla Grande, and José Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba. There is public transportation available in the island, through public cars and taxis. Navy Culebra protests Main article : Navy -- Culebra protests The Navy -- Culebra protests is the name given by American media to a series of protests starting in 1971 on the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico against the United States Navy use of the island. The protests led to the U.S. Navy abandoning of its facilities on Culebra. The historical backdrop was that in 1902, three years after the U.S. invasion of Puerto Rico, Culebra was integrated as a part of Vieques. But on June 26, 1903, US President Theodore Roosevelt established the Culebra Naval Reservation in Culebra, and in 1939, the U.S. Navy began to use the Culebra Archipelago as a gunnery and bombing practice site. In 1971 the people of Culebra began the protests for the removal of the U.S. Navy from Culebra. The protests were led by Ruben Berrios, President of the Puerto Rican Independence Party ( PIP ), a well - regarded attorney in international rights, President - Honorary of the Socialist International, and Law professor at the University of Puerto Rico. Berrios and other protesters squatted in Culebra for a few days. Some of them, including Berrios, were arrested and imprisoned for civil disobedience. The official charge was trespassing on U.S. military territory. The protests led to the U.S. Navy discontinuing the use of Culebra as a gunnery range in 1975 and all of its operations were moved to Vieques. The case against the Navy was led by Washington lawyer Richard Copaken as retained pro-bono by the people of Culebra island. The cleaning process of the island has been slow. At the end of 2016, the United States Army Corps of Engineers sent letters to the residents of Culebra citing active removal of undetonated explosive material still present on the island. In popular culture Two British sailing ships, the brig HMS Triton and the merchantman Topaz, are wrecked by a hurricane and come to rest with their crews on Isla Culebra in the novel Governor Ramage R.N. by Dudley Pope. Gallery Flamenco Beach Flamenco Beach An old tank at Flamenco Beach Church at the town plaza Flamenco Beach Northwestern Flamenco Bay Culebra 's corals Ensenada Honda M4A3 Sherman tank at Flamenco Beach. See also Puerto Rico portal Geography portal List of Puerto Ricans History of Puerto Rico Did you know - Puerto Rico ? Spanish Virgin Islands Vieques, Puerto Rico References Jump up ^ `` Demographics / Ethnic U.S 2000 census '' ( PDF ). topuertorico.org. Retrieved 21 March 2018. Jump up ^ Culebra, Puerto Rico on AreciboWeb Jump up ^ Costa Bonita Villas : Historia Archived 2012 - 04 - 25 at the Wayback Machine. on CostaBonitaPR.com ^ Jump up to : Isla de Culebra Archived 2011 - 11 - 28 at the Wayback Machine. on PRFrogui ^ Jump up to : Historia de Culebra Archived 2012 - 04 - 25 at the Wayback Machine. on PorMiPueblo Jump up ^ Historia - Culebra on IslaCulebra.com Jump up ^ Culebra, Isla Chiquita Archived 2011 - 11 - 19 at the Wayback Machine. on SalonHogar.net Jump up ^ `` Comprehensive Conservation Plan Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, Culebra, Puerto Rico '' ( PDF ). Proposal. U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service. September 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2016. Jump up ^ Isla de Culebra Archived 2011 - 11 - 28 at the Wayback Machine. on PRFrogui.com ^ Jump up to : `` Flora and Fauna of Culebra, Puerto Rico ''. www.islaculebra.com. Retrieved 21 March 2018. Jump up ^ `` Detailed Tables - American FactFinder ''. Factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2010 - 06 - 10. Jump up ^ `` Coming Soon ''. www.campingculebra.com. Retrieved 21 March 2018. Jump up ^ `` The Top Ten Most Exotic Beaches in the World Part 1. Most Exotic and Beautiful Beaches ''. www.beachbumparadise.com. Retrieved 21 March 2018. Jump up ^ United States Coast Pilot : West Indies, Porto Rico and Virgin Islands 1949 `` Point Soldado, the southern point of Culebra Island, is wooded and terminates in a rocky bluff about 35 feet high. It is prominent when seen from the eastward or westward, from which directions it appears as a ridge. '' ^ Jump up to : Historia - Culebra on IslaCulebra Jump up ^ Culebra, Puerto Rico - Gobierno / Economía on IslaCulebra Jump up ^ Población de Puerto Rico on ElectionsPuertoRico.org Jump up ^ Culebra Archived 2011 - 11 - 19 at the Wayback Machine. on SalonHogar.com Jump up ^ Comisión Estatal de Elecciones de Puerto Rico : Escrutinio General de 2008 Archived November 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. on CEEPUR.org Jump up ^ Muere el alcalde de Culebra on El Nuevo Día ( November 17, 2011 ) Jump up ^ Hija del alcalde de Culebra esta dispuesta a sustituirlo on El Nuevo Día ; Caquías, Sandra ( November 18, 2011 ) Jump up ^ Elecciones Generales 2012 : Escrutinio General Archived February 2, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. on CEEPUR Jump up ^ `` Post Office Location - CULEBRA Archived 2010 - 06 - 28 at the Wayback Machine... '' United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 18, 2010. Jump up ^ Culebra Overview Archived 2012 - 06 - 18 at the Wayback Machine. on Let 's Go Jump up ^ Culebra Ferry Schedule on IslaCulebra Jump up ^ Culebra Ferry Schedule on Culebra-Island.com Jump up ^ `` Puerto Ricans expel United States Navy from Culebra Island, 1970 - 1974 ''. Swarthmore College. Retrieved February 9, 2013. Jump up ^ http://www.primerahora.com/noticias/puerto-rico/nota/limpianaculebrademuniciones-1207918/ ( Spanish ) External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Culebra, Puerto Rico. Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Culebra. Culebra National Wildlife Refuge Map with barrio boundaries Culebra ferry tickets online Culebra Island Newspaper Welcome to Puerto Rico ! Culebra hide Commonwealth of Puerto Rico San Juan ( capital ) Metropolitan areas Aguadilla -- Isabela -- San Sebastián Fajardo Guayama Mayagüez Ponce San Germán -- Cabo Rojo San Juan -- Caguas -- Guaynabo Yauco Municipalities Adjuntas Aguada Aguadilla Aguas Buenas Aibonito Añasco Arecibo Arroyo Barceloneta Barranquitas Bayamón Cabo Rojo Caguas Camuy Canóvanas Carolina Cataño Cayey Ceiba Ciales Cidra Coamo Comerío Corozal Culebra Dorado Fajardo Florida Guánica Guayama Guayanilla Guaynabo Gurabo Hatillo Hormigueros Humacao Isabela Jayuya Juana Díaz Juncos Lajas Lares Las Marías Las Piedras Loíza Luquillo Manatí Maricao Maunabo Mayagüez Moca Morovis Naguabo Naranjito Orocovis Patillas Peñuelas Ponce Quebradillas Rincón Río Grande Sabana Grande Salinas San Germán San Juan San Lorenzo San Sebastián Santa Isabel Toa Alta Toa Baja Trujillo Alto Utuado Vega Alta Vega Baja Vieques Villalba Yabucoa Yauco Islands Cardona Culebra Desecheo Gatas Magueyes Cayo Icacos Caja de Muertos Isla de Cabras Isla de Jueyes Isla de Ratones, Cabo Rojo Isla de Ratones, Ponce Isleta de San Juan Isla del Frío Isla de Mona Monito Morrillito Puerto Rico Vieques Geography Flamenco Beach Mayagüez Bay San Juan Bay El Yunque Jump up ^ Shane, Scott ( November 6, 2014 ). `` Culebra, a Quiet Corner of the Caribbean ''. New York Times. Retrieved 10 November 2014. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Culebra,_Puerto_Rico&oldid=842492731 '' Categories : Culebra, Puerto Rico Populated places established in 1880 1880 establishments in Puerto Rico Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links Articles needing additional references from July 2010 All articles needing additional references Articles with short description Coordinates on Wikidata Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikivoyage Беларуская Català Cebuano Čeština Deutsch Eesti Ελληνικά Español Français Hrvatski বিষ্ণুপ্রিয়া মণিপুরী Italiano Lietuvių Nederlands 日本 語 Polski Português Русский Simple English Slovenčina Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Svenska Українська اردو Tiếng Việt Winaray 中文 19 more Edit links This page was last edited on 22 May 2018, at 20 : 25 ( UTC ). Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. 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Question: where in the caribbean is culebra island located
Answer: approximately 17 miles (27 km) east of the Puerto Rican mainland, 12 miles (19 km) west of St. Thomas and 9 miles (14 km) north of Vieques