Cotubanamá National Park

[4] Before the arrival of explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492, the island of La Hispaniola was divided up into five Taino Chiefdoms: Marien, Magua, Jaragua, Maguana, and Higüey, each governed by a Head Chief or Cacique.

By 1502, the Spanish kingdom had already established the city of Santo Domingo, and had overtaken much of the southern and central regions with the help of Conquistador Juan de Esquivel, who had been successful in battle, but had overstepped by assassinating the Caciques of Saona Island and causing a rebellion spearheaded by Cotubanama.

Eventually, the Spanish dominated in battle and Cotubanamá along with his family fled to Saona Island for safety, where Cotubano was captured by a soldier named Juan López.

[citation needed] Altogether, the National Park is one of the most protected reserves within the Caribbean Archipelago, made up of beaches, cliffs, humid and dry subtropical forest, 80% of which is seated upon a limestone and coral subsoil where underwater currents flow and connect with coastal waters, where thick mangrove vegetation creates a natural Aerial Root barrier.

[citation needed] Cotubanamá National Park also contains historically important protected archaeological sites, including a system of more than 20 ceremonial plazas, over eight indigenous cemeteries, and hundreds of caves and sinkholes to date.

The SPAW protocol has allowed member countries to exchange their experiences and ideas on how to improve sustainability on Caribbean coasts, working to preserve coral reefs and endangered species.