They also attacked Panama and Santa Maria. The privateers attacked Spanish ships carrying gold and other precious material that sailed in the Caribbean waters but the convoy system of the Spanish treasure fleet made it more difficult. Privateers also operated from the island, including Welsh privateer Sir Henry Morgan, who used it in 1670 as one of the centers of his operations. However the Spaniards were driven out soon after they occupied the islands. In 1635, the Spaniards, realizing the economic importance of the island, attacked the archipelago. They were initially brought to work in lumbering, as well as to grow cotton and tobacco. Slaves were brought from 1633 onwards from Jamaica. All colonists first came to San AndrГ©s and later moved to the Providence Island colony on what is now Providencia Island as its mountain terrain provided fresh water resources and safety from invaders. The Puritans evicted the Dutch settlers in 1631. Between 16, they came to settle in the salubrious climate and take advantage of the fertile land of the islands. The English Puritans were the first to arrive to the islands they hailed from Barbados and also from England. Surrounded by the warm Caribbean Sea, all of these features have made the island an 'exotic holiday destination'. There are coconut palm plantations, lush pastures, and tall native trees reaching 20 meters (66В ft). Also of note are La Loma, the town of San AndrГ©s, the Baptist Church, Seaquarium, the large pond of La Laguna, and a freshwater lake amidst mangrove forest. Along the 30В km (19В mi) road that circles the island there are many picturesque beaches, coral reefs, cays, blowholes, and coves.

Named San AndrГ©s but nicknamed El Centro, it is the department's main urban center.

The department's capital is located on the northern end of the island. The purpose of this declaration is to ensure that the ecosystem, which is rich in biodiversity, is well preserved and conserved. In 2000, it was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, named 'Seaflower Biosphere Reserve', which not only includes the islands but also about 10% of the Caribbean Sea, amounting to a vast marine area of 300,000В km 2 (120,000В sqВ mi). This archipelago encompasses a total area of 57В km 2 (22В sqВ mi), including the outer cays, reefs, atolls and sand banks, with the area of the islands being 45В km 2 (17В sqВ mi). While San AndrГ©s is located 50В km (31В mi) south of Providence, the Colombian archipelago is approximately 750В km (470В mi) north of the Colombian mainland. The official languages of the department are Spanish, English, and San AndrГ©sвЂ“Providencia Creole.

San AndrГ©s, in the southern group of islands, is the largest of the department. Politically part of Colombia, and historically tied to the United Kingdom, San AndrГ©s and the nearby islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina form the department of San AndrГ©s, Providencia and Santa Catalina. San AndrГ©s ( Islander Creole English: San AndrГ©s) is a coral island in the Caribbean Sea.

Inside san andreas fault