Tristao Islands

The Tristao Islands, named after the 15th-century Portuguese explorer Nuno Tristão, lie in Guinea's Boké region on the border with Guinea-Bissau, a group formed by the delta of the Kogon river out of sandbanks, mudflats, rocks, estuaries and mangrove forest; the main islands are Katarak, Kamsak, Kapken, Niémé, Souri and Foré Souri, and the largest, Tristan, is given an area of 226 km² (87 sq mi), a figure other sources apply to the whole group. Nalu and Balanta people live here from farming, fishing and fish smoking, palm oil, salt, livestock, shellfish, trade and crafts, while sea turtles, manatees, crocodiles and sharks share the surrounding waters. The islands were listed as a Ramsar wetland of international importance in 1992 and became a community marine protected area in 2008.

Background

Tristan, also written Tristão, the largest island of Guinea's Tristan and Capken Islands, covers 226 km², and with its neighbours it makes up the Tristao Islands.

Source: Wikipedia, "Tristan (Guinea)"

Highlights

• The mangroves and mudflats - the delta landscape of the Kogon river.
• The villages - Nalu and Balanta communities living from fishing, farming and salt.
• The Ramsar wetland - listed in 1992, and a community marine protected area since 2008.
• The wildlife - sea turtles, manatees, crocodiles and sharks.

When to go

Any time of year.

What to expect

The islands are low delta land of sand, mud and mangrove, protected both as a Ramsar wetland and as a community marine area.

Nearby

The Boké region, to which the islands belong, borders Guinea-Bissau.

Key facts