Pearl Islands

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Pearl Islands: A short, easy-to-understand guide

The Pearl Islands are a group of more than 200 islands and little landmasses off the Pacific coast of Panama, in the Gulf of Panama. They lie about 30 miles (48 km) from the mainland and include many small, uninhabited islets.

Key islands
- Contadora Island (Isla Contadora): Known for its resorts. Historically, it was a stop for the Spanish as they counted their booty. Today, it’s a popular vacation spot with a large hotel and many homes owned by wealthy Panamanians. Most resort workers live on nearby Saboga Island.
- Isla del Rey (the Island of the King): The largest Pearl Island, about 234 square kilometers. It has several towns, including San Miguel, and is the second-largest island in Panama after Coiba.
- Other islands include Bayoneta, Bolano, Buena Vista, Cana, Casaya, Chapera, Chitre, Cocos, Espiritu Santo, Galera (famous for tall coconut palms and a dangerous reef around it), Isla Gibraleón, Lampon, Marin, Mina, Mogo Mogo (Pajaro), Pacheca, Pedro Gonzalez, Isla San José, Senora, Vivenda, and Viveros, among others.

Environment and wildlife
- The Las Perlas Chamber for Sustainable Tourism works to protect the islands’ delicate ecology.
- The archipelago is designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) because it supports important breeding colonies of brown pelicans.

History at a glance
- About 3 million years ago, the Isthmus of Panama formed, linking North and South America and creating the Pearl Islands.
- Pre-Columbian artifacts have been found on Contadora and other islands.
- Isla del Rey hosts many archaeological sites from ancient cultures.
- The islands were named Pearl Islands in 1513 by Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa after pearls were found there. The Spaniards later used enslaved Africans for pearl harvesting.
- Pirates used the islands for years. The Shah of Iran stayed at a resort on Contadora in 1979.

Publicity and media
- The Pearl Islands are famous as a filming location for reality TV, including Survivor: Pearl Islands, Survivor: All-Stars, and Survivor: Panama. Israeli Survivor has also had a season there, as have Survivor South Africa: Panama and Koh-Lanta: Panama.
- Other programs that used the islands include The Real Swiss Family Robinson, The Island with Bear Grylls (on Isla Gibraleón and Isla San Telmo), Adam Zkt. Eva, and The Challenge: All Stars 3 (final on Isla San José).
- MrBeast filmed some activities on Isla La Vivienda.

See also
- Contadora Group
- Islands portal

This version combines the main points in clear, simple language for easy reading.