Providencia Island Colombia

Providencia Island (Colombia, officially named Isla de Providencia) is a mountainous island in the southwestern Caribbean Sea, located midway between Jamaica and Costa Rica.

Providencia and the neighbouring San Andres Island and Santa Catalina Island form the department "San Andres y Providencia". The goup is located approx 775 km (482 mi) northwest of mainland Colombia (South America). 

Providencia island has population around 5,000.

Island's highest elevation point is 360 m (1181 ft) above sea level. The smaller island Santa Catalina is connected through a 100-m footbridge to the larger Providencia. El Embrujo Airport (domestic flights) serves the island.

Providencia was the site of an English Puritan colony founded in 1629 by the Providencia Island Company. In 1641 it was briefly taken by the Spanish. Pirate Henry Morgan used the island as a base for raiding the Spanish Empire. Rumors suggest much of the pirate's treasure remained hidden on the island. Different parts of Providencia are named after Henry Morgan. Forts and cannons that date back hundreds of years ago can be found all over Santa Catalina.

As of 2015 Providencia Island was not seriously affected by Colombia's drug trafficking. However, many islanders were recruited to work for the drug cartels using their seafaring skills, knowledge of the surrounding waters and the shortage of employment opportunities.

Old Providence McBean Lagoon (995 hectares national park) is located on the island's northeastern side, between Rocky Point and Maracaibo. The nature park consists of Cayes (small isles), coral reefs, mangroves, tropical forests and lagoons, with a small tourist center (located on Crab Caye).