Jardines de la Reina () is an archipelago in the southern part of Cuba, in the provinces of Camagüey and Ciego de Ávila.
It was named by Christopher Columbus to honour the Queen of Spain, Isabella I of Castile. In 1996 a marine reserve was established covering a large swath of the archipelago. In 2010, Jardines de la Reina was established as a national park (). With an area of , it is one of Cuba's largest protected areas.
Geography It is located in the Caribbean Sea, between the Gulf of Ana Maria (north-west), Gulf of Guacanayabo (south) and Caballones Channel (west). It extends on a general north-west to south-east direction, paralleling the Cuban coast for from Cayo Breton to Cayos Mordazo. Cuba's second largest archipelago (smaller only than Jardines del Rey), it is formed by more than 600 cays and islands. Other cays in the archipelago include Caguamas, Cayos Cinco Balas, Cayo Anclitas, Cayo Algodon Grande, Cayos Pingues and Cayo Granada. Part of the archipelago is also known as Laberinto de las Doce Leguas (The Labyrinth of the Twelve Leagues).
The underwater landscapes include canyons, pinnacles and caves. Healthy mangroves, sponges and black corals cover the reef.
Table of major islands Island Other cays and features Area (km²) (Census 2012) Population(Census 2012)Cayo Algodon Grande 3.70 0 Cayo Anclitas Punta Piloto 4.50 0 Cayo Breton 6.70 0 Cayo Caballones 16.50 0 Cayo Cabeza Del Este 6.36 0 Cayo Caguamas 7.86 0 Cayo Grande 26.80 0 Cayos Ana Maria Cayo Tio Joaquin, Arenas, Balandras, Ana Maria, Caoba, Campito, Guasimas, Flamenco, Dos Hermanos, Guinea, Obispo, Laguna, Encantado, Joroba, 14.76 0Cayos Bahia de Casilda Guayo, Tobaco, Puga, Machos 1.00 0Cayos Cinco Balas 13.50 0 Cayos Granada Corua, Sardines, Caoba, Guasa, Rancho Viejo, Inglesitos, Pilon 16.63 0 Cayos Media Luna Culebra, Loma, Rabihorcado 7.10 0 Cayos Mordazo Ronquitto, Almacigo, Lena, Muchacho, Largo, Punta Infierno, Yana, Playa Blanca, Carabela, Pitajaya, Las Bolas, 9.30 0 Cayos Pingues Cottoro, Macho, Rancho Alegre, Vivero, Anton, Chocolate, 20.46 0 Other islands Alcatracito, Paloma, Cuervo, Algodoncito, Manuel Gomez, Santa Maria, Zaza de Afuera, Piedra Chica, Cachiboca, Indio, Carabinerro, Laberinto, Boca Seca, Campo Santo 20.00 0 Jardines de la ReinaCayo Blanco, Tio Joaquin 175.00 0
Fishing and diving The archipelago is a popular destination for diving and sport fly-fishing. Only catch and release fly-fishing and a limited, well-regulated lobster fishery is allowed in the park, although many other fisheries surround the park. It used to be one of Fidel Castro's favorite fishing spots. Species of fish found here include cubera snapper, bonefish, yellowfin grouper, black grouper, Atlantic goliath grouper as well as Strombus gigas (the large Caribbean conch) and whale shark. Jardines de la Reina also hosts numerous silky and Caribbean reef sharks and crocodiles.
See also Geography of Cuba Jardines del Rey
References
External links
Doce Leguas Labyrinth: a Community Offshore