Guadalupe Island
Guadalupe Island (Spanish: Isla Guadalupe) is a volcanic island located 241 kilometres (130 nautical miles) off the western coast of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula and about 400 km (200 nmi) southwest of the city of Ensenada in the state of Baja California, in the Pacific Ocean. The various volcanoes are extinct or dormant. In 2005 Guadalupe Island and its surrounding waters and islets were declared a biosphere reserve to restore its vegetation (decimated by feral goats) and to protect its population of marine mammals and birds. The island is a popular destination for great white shark cage diving. Guadalupe Island is inhabited only by scientists, military personnel operating a weather station, and a small group of seasonal fishermen. The island is mostly arid and has very little surface water.
Isla Guadalupe | |
|---|---|
Southeastern coast of Guadalupe Island | |
Guadalupe Map of Guadalupe Island, Mexico Guadalupe Guadalupe (Mexico) | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 29°1′51″N 118°16′48″W |
| Area | 243.988 km2 (94.204 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 4,257 ft (1297.5 m) |
| Highest point | Mount Augusta |
| Administration | |
Mexico | |
| State | Baja California |
| Municipality | Ensenada |
| Delegación | Ensenada |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 213 (2010) |
| Additional information | |
| Official language: Spanish | |
The two other Mexican island groups in the Pacific Ocean that are not on the continental shelf are the Revillagigedo Islands and Rocas Alijos. Guadalupe Island and its islets are the westernmost region of Mexico.