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The first settlements occurred in 1629 by English Puritans, but they changed hands frequently over the next 200 years. The Spanish, English and Dutch fought over their poses. They were also occupied and besieged by bloodthirsty pirates, such as Mansvelt, Morgan, Louis Aury, who was in charge of dragging the channel between the islands, which today is joined by the floating: The Bridge of Lovers.



The pirate Henry Morgan, base of the Santa Catalina bustle during its greatest piracy assets, and some students of its treasures, so to speak, are buried in its mountains. In Fort Warwick there are some ruins from this busy period, where you can find several canyons, under the mango palms and the lush vegetation, of Santa Catalina. The islands have been part of the Republic of Colombia since 1822.





In the archipelago of the Providencia and Santa Catalina Islands, it is located on the western side of the Caribbean Sea, just 240 km. (150 miles) from the coasts of Central America, and 80 km. of the Island of San Andrés. Together they cover an approximate area of ​​22 km2 and are part of the Colombian Archipelago that includes the island of San Andrés.



The official languages ​​of Spanish and Caribbean English, the official currency is the Colombian peso. These small islands of volcanic origin with mountains and hills of beautiful shapes and sizes are covered with dry tropical forest, considered one of the most preserved and representative in the entire Caribbean.



One of the main attractions of Old Providence and Santa Catalina, in its beautiful beaches: Manchineel Bay, Southwest Bay and Agua Dulce Bay. Another favorite activity for tourists is the ´´Pico´´ lift, the highest point of the islands, located 360 meters above sea level, where you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the islands, the multicolored sea and the extensive coral reef. Horseback riding is also very popular.



Its spectacular structures and the richness of its marine fauna and flora attract the attention of bouquets from all over the world, who want to explore and marvel at the cliffs, ravines and many walls that make up the reef. The speedboat ride through the islands is one of the favorite activities of visitors, where you can enjoy incredible geological formations such as Morgan's Head, ´´Split Hill´´ and Basalto Cay north of Santa Catalina, also visit other beautiful beaches that this place offers.



In the Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park you can find exotic keys ´´Cangrejo´´ and ´´Tres Hermanos´´, ideal places to practice the ´´norkel´´ and enjoy the sea breeze.

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