Politically part of Colombia,[1] and historically tied to the United Kingdom, San Andrés and the nearby islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina form part of the department of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina; or The Raizal Islands.

[2][6] Along the 30 km (19 mi) road[2] that circles the island there are many picturesque beaches, coral reefs, cays, blowholes, and coves.

There are coconut palm plantations, lush pastures, and tall native trees reaching 20 meters (66 ft).

[2][3][7] In pre-Colombian times before 1492, the main island of the archipelago, San Andrés, and the smaller ones Providencia and Santa Catalina were already frequented by members of the Miskitu people during their traditional marine hunting activities.

On November 25, 1802, the inhabitants of the archipelago requested that they depend on the Viceroyalty of New Granada with the Mosquito Coast, and not on the Captaincy of Guatemala.

As early as 1803, reports suggest that it was for political and economic reasons that San Andrés became a dependent Viceroyalty of New Granada.

In July 1818, French privateer Luis Aury, and others of the independent forces of Simón Bolívar occupied the islands, and it became part of Gran Colombia on June 23, 1822.

In 1902, two commissioners of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt came to San Andrés by boat and requested that the islands become part of Panama, but American proposals were rejected outright as unpatriotic, proving local loyalty to the Republic of Colombia.

On 24 March 1928, the Esguerra-Bárcenas Treaty was signed, in which Nicaragua recognized Colombia's sovereignty over the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providence and Saint Catherine.

[2] In November 1943, Colombia joined World War II,[15] because a German submarine sank one of their boats that had to transport British troops to San Andrés.

[5][16] In 2001, Nicaragua National Assembly declared the Bárcenas-Esguerra Treaty null because it claimed that it was signed under pressure of US army occupation (1928–1933).

Nicaragua filed a formal complaint to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, claiming territory east of longitude 82, as their continental marine platform included sovereignty over the archipelago of San Andrés.

The ICJ also ruled it "upheld preliminary objections of Colombia to its jurisdiction only insofar as they concerned sovereignty over the islands of San Andrés, Providence and Saint Catherine".

San Andrés has a fairly flat topography with the highest point in the island reported at an elevation of 55 m (180 ft) above sea level.

San Andrés is crossed from south to north by a small mountain range whose highest peak is Cerro La Loma, also known as El Cliff.

San Andrés' soils indicate that their formation is due to the eruption of a volcano which threw rocks older than the seafloor to the surface, creating the islands.

The island is surrounded on its northwest side by a small coral reef (arrecifex) and several keys that are home to varied fauna and flora, and are visited by many tourists every year.

[1] Johnny Cay is a small coral islet that is located 1.5 km (0.93 mi) to the north of San Andrés Town.

[2] The continuous growth and influx of people from the mainland of Colombia means that they now form about two thirds of the island's population.

The majority of foreigners to immigrate to the island were Lebanese and who continue to dominate the local economy till today.

[29] There are 12 mangrove forests in red, black and white colors, rich with many species of flora and fauna revitalizing the ecosystem.

Its habitat has been threatened due to large-scale expansion of the island lands for development of the capital city in the last few decades.

San Andrés, known locally as El Centro, is the largest town, as well as the most developed commercial and tourist hub of the island.

Here also, in view of generally calm sea water (only occasionally rough), snorkeling is a popular sporting activity.

Other religious groups, including Seventh-day Adventists, Roman Catholics, Muslims, and Jews are also present on the island.

Some of the important ones are: La Loma with its Baptist Church, a small blowhole at Hoyo Soplador, the snorkeling site at La Piscinita, white beaches of Saint Louis, the coral islet of Johnny Cay, the Pond, Haynes Cay, Morgan's Cave, West View and Acuaro of the coast known for its diving center.

[8] La Piscinita, located in the western part of the island has a calm sea which permits snorkeling activity.

[8][24] West View, as the name suggests, has 3–10 meters (9.8–32.8 ft) depth of water and is a favorite place for snorkeling, swimming and diving.

[31] Cockfighting, more popular on the island than football is in England, is considered to be a traditional sporting event rather than animal cruelty.

Boat services are also available within the island to visit various small towns and other locations of tourist interest along the coast line.