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'{{Short description|Small archipelago on the Mexican west coast}} {{About|the Mexican islands|the Falkland island known as Isla María|Bleaker Island|the small islands of the coast of St. Lucia|Islands of Saint Lucia|the Czech card game known as ''Mariáš'' which is similar to a German game|Sixty-Six (card game)}} {{Infobox islands |name = Islas Marías |image_name = |image_caption = Maria Madre Island |map_image = Islas Marias Nayarit.png |map_caption = |native_name_link = Spanish language |location = Pacific Ocean |coordinates = {{coord|21|31|N|106|29|W|region:MX_dim:100000|display=inline,title}} |archipelago = Islas Marías |total_islands = 9 |major_islands = María Madre, María Magdalena, María Cleofas and San Juanito |area_km2 = 244.970 |length_km = |width_km = |coastline_km = |highest_mount = Punta Rocallosa |elevation_m = 616 |country = Mexico |country_admin_divisions_title = [[Mexican state|State]] |country_admin_divisions = [[Nayarit]] |country_admin_divisions_title_1 = Municipality |country_admin_divisions_1 = [[San Blas, Nayarit]] |country_largest_city = [[Puerto Balleto, Islas Marías|Puerto Balleto]] |country_largest_city_population = 602 |population = 1,116 |population_as_of = 2005 |density_km2 = 7.68 |ethnic_groups = }} The '''Islas Marías''' ("Mary Islands") make up an [[archipelago]] in [[Mexico]], consisting of four islands. They are located in the [[Pacific Ocean]], some {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=on}} off the coast of the [[mexican state|state]] of [[Nayarit]] and about {{convert|370|km|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of the tip of Baja California.<ref name="Encyclopedia Britannica">{{Cite news|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Marias-Islands#ref55682|title=Marías Islands {{!}} archipelago, Mexico|work=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=2018-08-07|language=en}}</ref> They are part of the municipality (''municipio'') of [[San Blas, Nayarit]]. The islands were used as a [[penal colony]] until February 18, 2019 when President [[Andrés Manuel López Obrador]] ordered the closure of its operation as [[Islas Marías Federal Prison]]. The first European to encounter the islands was Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, a cousin of [[Hernán Cortés]] in 1532, who gave them the name Islas Magdalenas. He found no evidence of prior habitation by the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]]. In 2010 the archipelago was designated the [[Islas Marías Biosphere Reserve]] by [[UNESCO]].<ref name="UNESCO1">{{cite web|title=Designation of New Biosphere Reserves|url=http://portal.unesco.org/geography/en/ev.php-URL_ID=12785&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html|date=17 June 2010|access-date=13 June 2016|publisher=UNESCO}}</ref><ref name="UNESCO2">{{cite web|title=Islas María|url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/latin-america-and-the-caribbean/mexico/islas-maria/|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=13 June 2016}}</ref> ==Geography== The islands have an aggregate area of {{cvt|244.97|km2}} and a population of 1,116 on Isla María Madre as of the census of 2005 along with around 8,000 prisoners. The other islands are uninhabited. The main settlement is ''[[Puerto Balleto, Islas Marías|Puerto Balleto]]'', with a population of 602. Isla María Madre is the largest of the islands, with an area of {{cvt|145.28|km2}}. It houses the [[Islas Marías Federal Prison]], which was established there in 1905. The next two largest islands are Isla María Magdalena ({{cvt|70.44|km2|disp=sqbr}}) and, further south, Isla María Cleofas ({{cvt|19.82|km|disp=sqbr}}). They were named after [[Three Marys|three women]] called [[Mary (given name)|Mary]] in the [[Bible|Biblical]] [[New Testament]]: respectively, [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary, the mother of Jesus]], [[Mary Magdalene]], and [[Mary of Clopas|Mary, the wife of Cleopas]], and are referred to as the Tres Marias. A smaller island, San Juanito, with an area of {{cvt|9.1|km2}} lies off the north coast of Isla María Madre. '''The islands are listed from north to south in the following table:''' {| class="wikitable sortable" |-style="background: #CCC;" !Island or Rock || align="right"| Area<br />km²||Height<br />m||[[Geographic coordinate system|Location]] |- | San Juanito || align="right"| 9.105 || align="right"| . || {{coord|21|44|48|N|106|40|41|W|name=San Juanito}} |- | Piedra El Morro || align="right"| 0.060 || align="right"| . ||{{coord|21|44|17|N|106|42|11|W|name=Piedra El Morro}} |- | María Madre || align="right"| 145.282 || align="right"| 616 ||{{coord|21|36|57|N|106|34|42|W|name=María Madre}} |- | Isla Don Boni || align="right"| 0.025 || align="right"| . ||{{coord|21|32|30|N|106|32|0|W|name=Isla Don Boni}} |- | María Magdalena || align="right"| 70.440 || align="right"| 457 ||{{coord|21|27|44|N|106|25|48|W|name=María Magdalena}} |- | María Cleofas || align="right"| 19.818 || align="right"| 402 ||{{coord|21|18|44|N|106|14|51|W|name=María Cleofas}} |- | Piedra Blanca || align="right"| 0.172 || align="right"| . ||{{coord|21|19|1|N|106|17|9|W|name=Piedra Blanca}} |- | Roca Blanca || align="right"| 0.034 || align="right"| . ||{{coord|21|17|44|N|106|16|7|W|name=Roca Blanca}} |- | unnamed rock || align="right"| 0.034 || align="right"| . ||{{coord|21|17|52|N|106|16|35|W|name=Unnamed Rock}} |-style="background: #DDD;" | class="sortbottom" | '''Islas Marías'''|| align="right"| 244.970 || align="right"| 616 ||{{coord|21|32|N|106|28|W|name=Islas Marías}} |- |} ==Geology== Research supports the hypothesis that the Islas Marias are fragments of continental crust left over from the separation of the [[Baja California Peninsula]] from the mainland of Mexico. Rocks found on the islands correspond with rocks found around [[Cabo San Lucas]], as well as [[Puerto Vallarta]].<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258466346_Islas_Marias_Archipelago_Mexico_A_Missing_Piece_to_Reconstruct_the_Paleoposition_of_Baja_California "Islas Marias Archipelago, Mexico. A Missing Piece to Reconstruct the Paleoposition of Baja California", Valerie Pompa-Mera, et al, Researchgate, 2011]</ref> ==Fauna== Animal species [[endemic]] to the Islas Marías include the [[Tres Marías amazon]], [[Tres Marias hummingbird]] and [[Tres Marias island mouse]], in addition to the [[Tres Marias raccoon]], a subspecies of the [[Raccoon|common raccoon]]. == Populated places == All populated places of the Islas Marías are on Isla María Madre. They are listed from north to south in the following table: {| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" ! bgcolor="#ffffff" colspan="25" width="100%" valign="top"| [[File:Isla Maria Madre.png|600px]] |- |-style="background: #CCC;" !align ="left"|Populated Place || align="right"| Population ([[Census]] 2005)||[[Geographic coordinate system|Location]] |- <!-- on map--> | Punta el Morro || align="right"| - || {{coord|21|41|45|N|106|39|19|W|name=Punta el Morro}} |- <!-- on USGS MX list - must be same as Serradero (Aserradero) on map, judging from location--> | Venustiano Carranza (Serradero, Aserradero) || align="right"| - || {{coord|21|40|45|N|106|36|45|W|name=Venustiano Carranza}} |- | Campamento Cica (Bugambilias) || align="right"| 190 || {{coord|21|40|15|N|106|37|45|W|name=Campamento Cica}} |- | Campamento Nayarit || align="right"| 51 || {{coord|21|39|0|N|106|32|20|W|name=Campamento Nayarit}} |- | Campamento Rehilete || align="right"| 71 || {{coord|21|38|44|N|106|32|29|W|name=Campamento Rehilete}} |- | [[Puerto Balleto, Islas Marías|Puerto Balleto]] (Isla María Madre) || align="right"| 602 || {{coord|21|37|58|N|106|32|21|W|name=Puerto Balleto}} |- <!-- on map--> | Zacatal || align="right"| - ||{{coord|21|37|44|N|106|35|26|W|name=Zacatal}} |- <!-- on camps list in spanish Wikipedia, gotta be there - only remaining place on sat image with buildings!--> | Camarón || align="right"| - ||{{coord|21|37|26|N|106|37|55|W|name=Camarón}} |- | Campamento Hospital (Veinte de Noviembre) || align="right"| 53 || {{coord|21|37|34|N|106|31|55|W|name=Campamento Hospital}} |- | Las Antenas || align="right"| 2 || {{coord|21|37|15|N|106|36|18|W|name=Las Antenas}} |- | Campamento Morelos (José María Morelos)|| align="right"| 98 || {{coord|21|36|4|N|106|30|47|W|name=Campamento Morelos}} |- | Campamento San Juan Papelillo || align="right"| 18 || {{coord|21|35|30|N|106|36|26|W|name=Campamento San Juan Papelillo}} |- <!-- on USGS MX list and map--> | Borbollón (Borbollones)|| align="right"| - || {{coord|21|34|15|N|106|31|0|W|name=Borbollón}} |- | Campamento Laguna del Toro || align="right"| 31 || {{coord|21|34|8|N|106|32|37|W|name=Campamento Laguna del Toro}} |- <!-- on USGS MX list and map--> | Punta Halcones || align="right"| - || {{coord|21|32|45|N|106|32|30|W|name=Punta Halcones}} <!-- xxxx --> <!-- additional settlements in Spanish wikipedia |- | Bella Vista || align="right"| ? || same as "jefatura" of Puerto Balleto? --> |-style="background: #DDD;" | '''Isla María Madre'''|| align="right"| 1,116 || {{coord|21|36|57|N|106|34|42|W|name=Isla María Madre}} |- |} Each populated center features a different economic activity. The primary population center is [[Puerto Balleto, Islas Marías|Puerto Balleto]], the location of the administrative offices and the primary centers of commerce and recreation. It is subdivided into four ''jefaturas''[http://www.cambioenlinea.com/detallea.php?id=10881&fecha=21.08.2006]: #Balleto, {{coord|21|38|2|N|106|32|21|W|name=Balleto}} #Bellavista, {{coord|21|38|19|N|106|32|30|W|name=Bellavista}} #Unit Habitacional Miguel Hidalgo (UHMH), {{coord|21|38|13|N|106|32|26|W|name=Unit Habitacional Miguel Hidalgo}} #Primero de Mayo, {{coord|21|38|20|N|106|32|23|W|name=Primero del Mayo}} In addition to prisoners, on Maria Madre island there are employees of diverse institutions of the federal government, such as the [[Secretariat of Public Education]], the [[Secretariat of the Environment]], the [[Secretariat of Communications and Transport]], [[Servicio Postal Mexicano|post office]], and the [[Secretariat of the Navy]]. Another group of settlers is made up of religious ministers and acolytes of the [[Catholic Church]], nuns of the Order of Social Service, and invited teachers, technicians and their relatives. The colony is governed by a state official who is both the governor of the islands and chief judge. The military command is independent and is exercised by an officer of the Mexican Navy. == Weather == The mean temperature of island remain between 84 and 89 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/forecast/modelclimate/puerto-balleto-(isla-mar%C3%ADa-madre)_mexico_4029353|title=Climate Puerto Balleto (Isla María Madre)|website=meteoblue|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-08-07}}</ref> In April, May, and June sometimes temperatures cross the limit of thirty-five degrees Celsius. In December, January, and February the temperatures remain under twenty-five degrees. Sometimes the temperature may drop under twenty degrees Celsius. Most of the time weather remains dry but July, August, and September may receive rain up to 10mm. The average wind speed is between twelve and nineteen km/hour. The below chart shows the maximum and minimum temperature. {| class="wikitable" | |Unit |Celsius |Celsius |Celsius |Celsius |Celsius |Celsius |Celsius |Celsius |Celsius |Celsius |Celsius |Celsius |- |Mean |Daily Max |29 |29 |31 |32 |34 |34 |32 |31 |31 |31 |31 |29 |- |Mean |Daily Min |13 |14 |15 |17 |19 |22 |24 |24 |24 |22 |18 |15 |- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |- | |Month |Jan |Fab |March |April |May |June |July |August |September |October |November |December |} ==Hurricane Willa== [[Hurricane Willa]] passed through the Islas Marias on October 23, 2018. The [[National Hurricane Center]] reported at 9 AM MDT "Aircraft finds the core of Willa passing over Las Islas Marias Mexico".<ref>[National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Willa, Public Advisory 14, 9 AM MDT]</ref> A subsequent report from the NHC stated that "Life-threatening storm surge is occurring along the coasts of the Isla Marias'.<ref>[https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2018/ep24/ep242018.discus.015.shtml? National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Willa, Discussion 15, October 23, 2018, 3 PM MDT]</ref> The NHC also reported that "An automated observing site on Las Islas Marias recently reported a sustained wind of 88 mph (142 km/h) with a gust to 112mph (180 km/h)".<ref>[https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2018/ep24/ep242018.public.015.shtml? National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Willa, Advisory 15, October 23, 2018, 3 PM MDT]</ref> == Lighthouse == There is a lighthouse located on a ridge above Puerto Balleto on Isla María Madre.<ref name=wmx>{{Cite rowlett|wmx|access-date=2018-08-07}}</ref> The height of tower is two hundred feet or sixty-two meters. The lighthouse main gallery is painted white while the tower of the lighthouse is colored in red and white.<ref name=wmx/> The lighthouse is made of concrete and a large single story keeper house is also constructed with the lighthouse. The light house shines two white flashes every 10 seconds. The diameter of the light house is seven meters.<ref name=wmx/> == Prison of Isla Maria == The [[Islas Marías Federal Prison]] was constructed in 1905.<ref name="Encyclopedia Britannica"/> One of its more notable prisoners was the Mexican progressive writer [[Jose Revueltas]] who wrote his first book ''[[:es:Los_muros_de_agua|Los Muros de Agua]]'' (''The Walls of Water'') while incarcerated there. President of Mexico [[Andrés Manuel López Obrador]] announced on February 18, 2019, that his administration would close the Islas Marías Federal Prison, replacing it with a new cultural center that will be named for José Revueltas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-12 |title=Islas Marias once housed Mexico’s island prison. Shut down in 2019, it soon will aim to lure tourists. |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/4/12/23022770/islas-marias-mexico-island-prison-tourism-eotourism-alcatraz-devils-island-lopez-obrador |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>[''San Francisco Chronicle'', February 19, 2019, p.A-2]</ref> ==See also== {{Portal|Islands}} * [[Tres Marias raccoon]] * [[Tres Marías Island mouse|Tres Marias island mouse]] * [[Tres Marías amazon]] parrot ==References== {{reflist}} ==References== {{refbegin}} *[http://www.inegi.org.mx/est/contenidos/espanol/sistemas/conteo2005/localidad/iter/default.asp Link to tables of population data from Census of 2005, Nayarit] INEGI: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090906191535/http://mapserver.inegi.gob.mx/geografia/espanol/datosgeogra/extterri/frontera.cfm?c=154%29 Mexican islands with areas and coordinates] *[http://www.maps-of-mexico.com/nayarit-state-mexico/nayarit-state-mexico-map-a2.shtml map] {{refend}} ==External links== {{commons category|Maria Islands}} *[http://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/english/naturaleza/fauna/detalle.cfm?idsec=11&idsub=44&idpag=1813 Article from Mexico Desconocido] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040317165749/http://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/english/naturaleza/fauna/detalle.cfm?idsec=11&idsub=44&idpag=1813 |date=2004-03-17 }} *{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223043232/http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/marias/ |date=December 23, 2010 |title=Article from Ocean Dots }} {{World Heritage Sites in Mexico}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Islas Marias}} [[Category:Islas Marías| ]] [[Category:Islands of Nayarit]] [[Category:Pacific Coast of Mexico]] [[Category:World Heritage Sites in Mexico]] [[Category:Populated places in Mexico]] [[Category:Prison islands]]'