Gilligan’s Island, Puerto Rico

Coordinates: 17 58 N 66 55 W
Total biosphere area: 9,884 acres (4,000 hectares)
Even residents of nearby Guánica, Puerto Rico have to leave the comfort of their living rooms to actually visit Gilligan’s Island. Getting there, however, is as easy as a short ferry ride—no three-hour tour necessary. One of many mangrove cays located about a mile off the southwestern coast, this uninhabited island lures droves of snorkelers and sunbathers year round. As a part of the larger Guánica Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO has established 482 biosphere reserves worldwide), Gilligan’s Island and its surrounding subtropical dry forest illustrate our potential to successfully find a balance between conservation and development, ensuring the existence of this Caribbean attraction for decades to come.

—.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) is the editor of the Oxford Atlas of the World.

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