Spatial Jun. 2017 | Page 7

Little Known Islands

Palau - it is only 170 sq miles and is located in Micronesia. In Palau’s coastal areas and saltwater lakes a number of rare and beautiful creatures can be found including the dugong and stingless jellyfish.

Coiba Island - Located off the Pacific coast of Panama, there are an astonishing number of endemic subspecies that have evolved here, such as a Coiba howler monkey. The island received very little human contact because until 2004 a prison was operated here. More than 75% of the island is covered in virgin forests.

South Georgia Island - This Antarctic island has been found to have as much biodiversity as the Galapagos. Around 1445 marine species live in its coastal waters such as the free-swimming sea worm, icefish and sea spiders. On the island itself it has a massive penguin population. 90% of fur seals and 50% of elephant seals use the island as a home-base.

The Bonin Islands - often called the Galapagos of the Orient, 43% of the native plant species are endemic to the group of islands. Other rare animal species include the Bonin flying fox and land snails.