INAGUA
The third largest and the most southerly island in the Bahamas, Inagua is also the hottest and the driest. Home to a plant of the Morton Salt company it is the source of nearly a million pounds of salt annually. It is also home to one of the largest flamingo bird sanctuaries in the world.
Its name is a slang of its earliest designation, Heneagua, derived from a Spanish word meaning ‘water is to be found there.’ Although it is mostly low and flat, it has James Hill on the north coast rising to 90 feet, East Hill rising to 132 feet and Salt Pond Hill on the south coast rising to 102 feet. There is a natural harbor and its coast is fringed by a reef.
Inagua consists of two separate islands, Great Inagua Island and Little Inagua Island. Both are known for their natural surroundings and act as great destinations for ecotourists. Inagua National Land & Sea Park covers 45% of Great Inagua Island and is home to over 80,000 West Indian Flamingos, the Bahama parrot, and other pelicans, ducks and hummingbirds found nowhere else in The Bahamas. Little Inagua Island is a protected habitat for endangered sea turtles, and features a vast reef that prevents boaters and sailors from getting too close to its shores. Over 30 square miles of the island are uninhabited by locals.
Salt is the main industry on Inagua. Because of its low rainfall and tradewinds, Inagua has natural salt ponds. The Morton Salt Company is located here and produces nearly a million pounds of salt annually.
Its name is a slang of its earliest designation, Heneagua, derived from a Spanish word meaning ‘water is to be found there.’ Although it is mostly low and flat, it has James Hill on the north coast rising to 90 feet, East Hill rising to 132 feet and Salt Pond Hill on the south coast rising to 102 feet. There is a natural harbor and its coast is fringed by a reef.
Inagua consists of two separate islands, Great Inagua Island and Little Inagua Island. Both are known for their natural surroundings and act as great destinations for ecotourists. Inagua National Land & Sea Park covers 45% of Great Inagua Island and is home to over 80,000 West Indian Flamingos, the Bahama parrot, and other pelicans, ducks and hummingbirds found nowhere else in The Bahamas. Little Inagua Island is a protected habitat for endangered sea turtles, and features a vast reef that prevents boaters and sailors from getting too close to its shores. Over 30 square miles of the island are uninhabited by locals.
Salt is the main industry on Inagua. Because of its low rainfall and tradewinds, Inagua has natural salt ponds. The Morton Salt Company is located here and produces nearly a million pounds of salt annually.
