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Islas del Cisne (The Swan Islands) lie in relative isolation in the Western Caribbean Sea at latitude 17 deg. N. and longitude 83 deg. W. off the coast of Honduras. (Approximately ninety-five miles north of the coast of Honduras and three hundred twenty miles west of Jamaica.) The islands are 400 miles from Key West, Florida, and 500 miles from New Orleans.
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Three islands constitute the Swan Island chain. Great Swan, Little Swan, and Booby Cay. Fringing reefs are developed around the perimeter of the islands with the most extensive reef growth occurring along the northern shores. Great Swan is nearly two miles in length with a maximum elevation of 68 feet. Little Swan is about 1.5 miles in length by 0.3 miles wide with a maximum elevation of 78 feet. Booby Cay is a small cay off the southwestern tip of Great Swan only about 100 yards long. One can easily walk to the cay from Great Swan at low tide.
The United States' later interests in the Swan Islands involved agricultural production in coconut plantations and aids to navigation and communications, resulting in continued United States occupation and use of the islands. In San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on November 22, 1971, American and Honduran representatives signed a treaty by which the United States recognized Honduras' long-standing claim to sovereignty over the Swan Islands. The treaty entered into force on September 1, 1972. In 1982, the Swan Islands were named as a territory of Honduras in the Honduran Constitution.
Swan Islands, Honduras Written by a PHD who researched the history of the Swan Islands, and visited himself. Great photos.
Swan Islands of Honduras Latest online encyclopedia version of the history of the Swan Islands.
Radio Swan This website has an interesting timeline, and claims that in 1850, a Cayman islander named Samuel Parsons attempted to claim the islands by placing upon them a number of goats which, over time, multiplied and eventually formed quite a large heard. When Parsons returned to the islands several years later, however, he found them occupied by an American phosphate Co. and all of his goats eaten by the miners.
Swan Islands This website, built apparently to entice investors for its luxury vessels, claims the islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus on St. Anne's day in 1502, and originally named Islas Santa Ana.