page_title: San Andrés (island)
section_title: Settlements
hierarchical_section_title: San Andrés (island) / Settlements
caption_attribution_description: Español: La iglesia de San Luis en las islas de San Andrés Colombia
context_page_description: San Andrés is a coral island in the Caribbean Sea. Politically part of Colombia, and historically tied to the United Kingdom, San Andrés and the nearby islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina form the department of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina. San Andrés, in the southern group of islands, is the largest of the department. The official languages of the department are Spanish, English, and San Andrés–Providencia Creole.
  While San Andrés is located 50 km south of Providence, the Colombian archipelago is approximately 750 km north of the Colombian mainland. This archipelago encompasses a total area of 57 km², including the outer cays, reefs, atolls and sand banks, with the area of the islands being 45 km². In 2000, it was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, named "Seaflower Biosphere Reserve", which not only includes the islands but also about 10% of the Caribbean Sea, amounting to a vast marine area of 300,000 km². The purpose of this declaration is to ensure that the ecosystem, which is rich in biodiversity, is well preserved and conserved.
  The department's capital is located on the northern end of the island.
context_section_description: The population is grouped around a few residential areas. San Andrés, known locally as El Centro, is the largest town, as well as the most developed commercial and tourist hub of the island. It is located at the northern end and is the capital of the department. The departmental administration, commerce, banks, several hotels and the airport are located in this area.
  A smaller village, La Loma, is inhabited by the native islander population and is at the centre of the island. Its traditional fame is due to the Baptist Church that was established in 1847. This church was rebuilt with pine wood imported from Alabama. The Baptist church was built along the central road to La Loma, which functioned as a beacon for shipping. Located at the top of the hill, La Loma provides lovely views of the "seven coloured sea" (Caribbean Sea).
  On the eastern coast of the island is Saint Louis, which is a small tourist town. It is notable both as a tourist establishment and for its impressive stretch of white-sand beach. Traditional wooden houses are also located on the shores of the beach, spread over a 3 km (1.9 mi) stretch. Here also, in view of generally calm sea water (only occasionally rough), snorkeling is a popular sporting activity. It used to be port for export of coconuts.
caption: Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel, built in La Loma in 1847.
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