Nickname: Centipede Island, Little Gasparee | |
|---|---|
 Gasparillo Island in the right foreground, withGaspar Grande island pictured behind | |
  Gasparillo Island Location of Gasparillo Island off the north-western peninsular of Trinidad | |
| Geography | |
| Total islands | 2 |
| Administration | |
Trinidad and Tobago | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited (2015) |
Gasparillo is a small island in the Republic ofTrinidad and Tobago. It is one of the Bocas Islands (also referred to as Dragons' Teeth), which lie in theBocas del Dragón (Spanish forDragon's Mouths) between the main island ofTrinidad andVenezuela. The island is currently uninhabited.
Gasparillo is actually made up of two islands separated by several metres of rocks. However the second island is very small and is not independently named. The main island a little over 200 metres in length but is very narrow, less than 50 metres at its widest point, approximately 8,000 m2 in area. It is, as with most islands around the Paria Peninsular, covered withdry forest vegetation, and composed of alimestone bedrock withcaves. Several species of birds nest at the island, including theshort-tailed swift that nest on the eastern side of the island.
The Gasparillo name has been derived because of its small size relative to the much largerGaspar Grande Island, located just to the south of it. It has also been calledScorpion Island andCentipede Island due to the nature of itsfauna. Sometime in the 19th century, it was also referred to asGopee, based on one of its owners "Guppy", a Trinidadnaturalist. He did not retain possession of the island due to a failure of payingland tax.[1]
In the 20th century it was bought or leased by a businessman, C.C. Stollmeyer, with the intent of quarryinglimestone from the island. However he found the makeup of the island was not conducive to the venture due to its hollowness[citation needed]. He subsequently leased the smaller island to the Gransaull family who built a holiday home. The United States leased areas in Trinidad under theDestroyers for Bases Agreement in 1940. Thus, the government regained possession of the island afterWorld War II as United States military bases on Trinidad were disbanded in 1950.[2]
Currently, the island is known for its recreationalcliff jumping activities.[3] The island is only accessible by swimming to its rocky eastern bank from a boat, before taking a steep and unmarked climb up the hillsundergrowth. On the south side of the island is a 40-foot (12 meter) cliff where thrill seekers can jump to the sea.
| Major Islands |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Bocas Islands | ||
| The Five Islands | ||
| San Diego Islands | ||
| Selected Islands off Tobago | ||
| Other Islands | ||
10°40′34.85″N61°39′11.48″W / 10.6763472°N 61.6531889°W /10.6763472; -61.6531889
