Gorgona Island (Colombia)

Gorgona National Natural Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Map of the island
Gorgona Island Location of Gorgona Island Show map of Cauca Department Gorgona Island Gorgona Island (Colombia) Show map of Colombia
Location	Pacific Ocean
Nearest city	Guapí, Cauca
Coordinates	02°58′03″N 78°10′49″W / 2.96750°N 78.18028°W / 2.96750; -78.18028
Area	620 km2 (240 sq mi) marine 26 km2 (10 sq mi) land
Established	1984
Governing body	SINAP

Gorgona is a Colombian island in the Pacific Ocean situated about 28 km (17 mi) off the Colombian Pacific coast. The island is 9 km (5.6 mi) long and 2.5 km (1.6 mi) across at its widest, with a maximum height of 338 m (1,109 ft) and a total area of 26 km² (10 sq mi). Gorgona is separated from the continent by a 270 m (890 ft) deep underwater depression.

Administratively, the island is part of the Municipality of Guapí in the Department of Cauca. Gorgona functioned as a prison from 1959 until 1984 when it was turned into a National Natural Park. The island, noted for its many endemic species and unique ecosystems, was established as Gorgona Island National Park in 1985, in order to preserve its richly varied wildlife of the sub-tropical forest and the coral reefs offshore.