Location Ponce, Puerto Rico Population 0 Area 4 ha | Commonwealth Puerto Rico Pop. density 0 /km (0 /sq mi) Municipality Ponce | |
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Cardona, also known as Sor Isolina Ferré Island, is a small, uninhabited island located 1.30 nautical miles south of the mainland Puerto Rican shore across from Barrio Playa, on the west side of the entrance to the harbor of Ponce, Puerto Rico. The small island is considered part of barrio Playa. It is home to the 1889 Cardona Island Light, which is listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Together with Caja de Muertos, Gatas, Morrillito, Ratones, Isla del Frio, and Isla de Jueyes, Cardona is one of seven islands ascribed to the municipality of Ponce. The island gained notoriety in 2010 when the Puerto Rican Bird Society made it a target for the eradication of the black rat.
Contents
- Map of Cardona Island 00716 Puerto Rico
- Location
- Geography and climate
- Cruce a Nado
- Black rat
- Nature reserve
- References
Map of Cardona Island, 00716, Puerto Rico
Location
The island, sometimes erroneously called a cay (or, key), is located at latitude 17°57"24.3' and longitude -66°38'5.9' (latitude 17.95672N, longitude: -66.634982W). The short distance from the mainland shore makes Cardona a popular landing point for aquatic events such as kayaking.
Located west of Ponce Harbor, the island has an area of 8.71 acres (3.52 ha). The island is accessible only by private boat, but it can be seen from the observation tower on the La Guancha boardwalk. It is not open to the public.
Geography and climate
The island is mostly a low island covered by brushwood. The climate is dry and the island supports dry forest.
Cruce a Nado
Every year the island is visited by dozens of swimmers in the annual Cruce a Nado, an international swimming competition sponsored by the Ponce Municipal Government.
Black rat
In 2010, the Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña (Puerto Rican Bird Society) and the Ponce Yacht and Fishing Club launched a campaign to eradicate the black rat from the Island.
Nature reserve
Though not officially a nature reserve, the island is administered by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.