Chiriquí Lagoon
| Chiriquí Lagoon | |
|---|---|
| Laguna de Chiriquí(Spanish) | |
 Punta Robalo,a town on the western coast of Chiriquí Lagoon | |
  Chiriquí Lagoon | |
| Location | northwestPanama |
| Coordinates | 9°N82°W/ 9°N 82°W |
| Primary inflows | Guariviara River,Cricamola River |
| Primary outflows | Caribbean Sea,Almirante Bay |
| Basincountries | Panama |
| Surface area | 900 km2(350 sq mi)[1] |
| Settlements | Chiriquí Grande,Punta Robalo,Cauchero |
Chiriquí Lagoonis a largelagoonon the northwest coast ofPanamacovering an area of about 900 square kilometres (350 sq mi).[1]It is separated from theCaribbean Seaby theValiente Peninsulato the east and fromAlmirante Bayby islands in theBocas del Toro Archipelagoto the northwest, includingCayo AguaandIsla Popa.[2]The widest and deepest entrance into the bay is theCanal del Tigrein the northeast, which is the main access channel for ships entering the lagoon.[2]
The temperature of the water in the lagoon ranges from 26 to 28 °C. Salinity can be as low as 1.015 (SG) due to runoff from rivers, especially during the rainy season.[2]The meantidal rangeis 0.24 metres (9.4 in) with a maximum range of 0.64 metres (2 ft 1 in); tidal flow in the lagoon is weak.[2]
Rivers that drain into Chiriquí Lagoon include theGuariviara RiverandCricamola River,both of which flow through the wetlands on the southeast shore of the lagoon.[3]These are protected as part of theRamsar siteofDamani-Guariviara,which covers 240.89 square kilometres (93.01 sq mi) of land between the lagoon and the Caribbean coast.[4]
There are periods of low rainfall in March and September–October, and periods of high rainfall in July and December. The annual rainfall in the region is about 287 centimetres (113 in), being higher in the southeast part of the lagoon.[5]February is the windiest month in the lagoon.[2]
Native Americans guidedChristopher Columbusinto the lagoon in 1502 during his search for a connection to the Pacific Ocean.[6]TheNgäbecontinue to inhabit the southern and eastern coasts of the lagoon.[7]The lagoon is administratively divided betweenBocas del Toro Provincein the west andNgäbe-Buglé Comarcain the east.
Coal deposits were discovered in the area in the mid-19th century.[8]The port ofChiriquí Grandeis the northern terminus of theTrans-Panama pipeline.[9]The terminal was the site of anoil spillon 4 February 2007 that leaked 5030barrelsof oil on to the surrounding land and water.[10]
References
[edit]- ^abHerdendorf, Charles E. (1982). "Large Lakes of the World".Journal of Great Lakes Research.8(3): 379–412.doi:10.1016/S0380-1330(82)71982-3.
- ^abcde"Chiriquí Grande port information manual".Petroterminal de Panamá. 14 October 2014.Retrieved24 April2017.
- ^Bergoeing, Jean Pierre (2007).Geomorphology of Central America: A Syngenetic Perspective.Elsevier. p. 127.ISBN0128031859.Retrieved24 April2017.
- ^"Humedal de Importancia Internacional Damani-Guariviara".Ramsar Sites Information Service. 9 March 2010.Retrieved24 April2017.
- ^Guzmán, Héctor M.; Barnes, Penelope A. G.; Lovelock, Catherine E.; Feller, Ilka C. (2005)."A Site Description of the CARICOMP Mangrove, Seagrass and Coral Reef Sites in Bocas del Toro, Panama"(PDF).Caribbean Journal of Science.41(3): 430–440.Retrieved24 April2017.
- ^Brinkbäumer, Klaus; Höges, Clemens (2007).The Voyage of the Vizcaína.Harcourt. p. 214.ISBN0156031582.
- ^Holdridge, L. R.; Budowski, Gerardo (1958).Report on a Reconnaissance Survey to Establish the Possibilities of a Pulp and Paper Industry in the Bocas Del Toro Province of Panama(Report). pp. 3–4.Retrieved24 April2017.
- ^Earth and Water Resources and Hazards in Central America(PDF).Geological Survey Circular 925.USGS.1984. p. 31.
- ^"Atlantic terminal".Petroterminal de Panama.Retrieved24 April2017.
- ^Sagrera, Carlos (March–April 2008)."Contingency Planning and Operations in the Event of a Hydrocarbon Spill in the Caribbean".Transports.Panama. pp. 49–50.Retrieved24 April2017.