Mosquito Coast

The Mosquito Coast is a region of coastal lowlands along the eastern coast of Nicaragua and Honduras. It is named after the Miskito people, who have inhabited the area for centuries. The Mosquito Coast is a largely unpopulated and undeveloped region with a diverse landscape of rainforests, swamps, mangroves, and rivers.

Historical Region

The Mosquito Coast, also known as the "Miskito Coast," is a historical region that includes the Miskito kingdom's fluctuating area along the eastern coast of present-day Nicaragua and Honduras. It formed part of the Western Caribbean Zone and was named after the local Miskito Amerindians.

The British established a presence in the Mosquito Coast in the 17th century and maintained their influence until the 19th century. During this time, the region had its king, often appointed by the British, and it served as a haven for pirates and privateers.

The Mosquito Coast was incorporated into Nicaragua in 1894; however, in 1960, the International Court of Justice granted the northern part to Honduras.

The Mosquito Coast was generally defined as the domain of the Mosquito or Miskito Kingdom and expanded or contracted with that domain. During the 19th century, the question of the kingdom's borders was a serious issue of international diplomacy between Britain, the United States, Nicaragua, and Honduras.

Conflicting claims regarding the kingdom's extent and arguable nonexistence were pursued in diplomatic exchanges. The British and Miskito definition applied to the eastern seaboard of Nicaragua and even to La Mosquitia in Honduras: i.e., the coastal region as far west as the Río Negro or Tinto.

Geography

The Mosquito Coast, in the later part of the century, came to be considered as the narrow strip of territory, fronting the Caribbean Sea and extending from about 11°45′ to 14°10′ N. It stretched inland for an average distance of 60 km (40 mi) and measured about 400 km (225 mi) from north to south. In the north, its boundary skirted the Wawa River; in the west, it corresponded with the eastern limit of the Nicaraguan highlands; in the south, it followed the Río Rama.

The Mosquito Coast is a sparsely populated region with about 200,000 people. Most of the population is Miskito, with smaller populations of other indigenous groups, such as the Sumo and Rama. There are also some Garifuna people living on the Mosquito Coast.

The main towns on the Mosquito Coast are Bluefields in Nicaragua and Puerto Lempira in Honduras. Bluefields is the largest city on the Mosquito Coast and a significant trade and commerce center. Puerto Lempira is the capital of the Gracias a Dios department of Honduras and is a gateway to the rainforests of the Mosquito Coast.

The chief modern towns are:

• Bluefields: the largest town and capital of Nicaragua's South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region

• Puerto Lempira: on the shores of the Caratasca Lagoon

• Magdala: on Pearl Cay

• Prinzapolka: on the Prinzapolka River

• Wounta: near the mouth of the Kukalaya River

• Karata: near the mouth of the Coco River

Biodiversity

The region is known for its rich biodiversity, with diverse flora and fauna. It is home to various endangered species and unique ecosystems.

The rainforests are home to various trees, including mahogany, cedar, and rosewood. The swamps and mangroves are home to a variety of aquatic plants and animals, such as crocodiles, caimans, and manatees. The rivers are home to various fish, including tarpon, snook, and catfish.

Sparsely populated today, most of the area is under protection. The most famous protected area is the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other protected areas include Patuca National Park, Tawahka Anthropological Reserve, and Sierra de Agalta National Park.

_{Map depicting the area of the Mosquito Coast}