Natural History

Gaspar Grande

Gaspar Grande or Gasparee is an island in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago named for Gaspar de Percín. The island is 1.29 km2 (0.50 square miles) in area and lies 12 km (7.5 mi) west of Port of Spain. It is one of the "Bocas Islands", which lie in the Bocas del Dragón (Dragon's Mouth) between Trinidad and Venezuela. Gaspar Grande is primarily limestone, and reaches a height of 121 metres (397 ft) at its highest point. Gaspar Grande is home to the Gasparee Caves, a natural limestone cave system with a pool at its base (this pool being fed by the sea and influenced by the rise and fall of the tides). Other caves on the island include the White Cave, the Brioge Cavern and the Precipice Cavern. Vegetation on the island includes the Yellow Poui, Giant Cactus, Hog Plum, Silk Cotton, Agave, Manicou Fig, Naked Indian, Pelican Flower, Queen-of-the-Forest (Filipendula occidentalis), Cow Itch, Sugar Apple and Salt-fish Wood. Legend has it that there might be a pirate's treasure chest stashed somewhere in another often semi-submerged cave on the island (referred to as William Dampier's Tunnel) and that this cave is supposedly only easily accessible on certain days of the year at low tide. This legend remains largely unsupported by evidence.

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸Domoic acid
• ▸British Rail Class 98
• ▸Conservation in Belize

Uncatalogued shelf

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