Isla de Flores

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In 1502 the first exploration is performed at Rio de la Plata in charge of Amerigo Vespucci. In 1511-1512 held the second Portuguese expedition led by Esteban Flores from whom the island could take his name. Another theory is that it took its name because of its botanical wealth.

When there is high tide, the island is divided into three, first, second and third, numbered from west to east. Its highest point, at the first island is 17 meters. The first lighthouse was inaugurated on January 1828. In 1903 it was built the chapel and crematorium. It also served as a detention center.

In the early twentieth century, it was built the building, for the military stationed in the island. Seaway was extremely important, from it depended the trade, transportation and even the news. Among the island of Flores and the English Bank, there were several major shipwrecks and due the major concern of the residents of Montevideo it was decided to build the first lamppost. Lecor gave the nod and Lucas Obes, the province's general attorney signed the bill. The lighthouse would ensure the entry and exit to the Rio de la Plata, that is between the island and the English Bank, 11 miles south from the island.

In the third island leper colony built the terminals dirty or who was affected by infectious exotic diseases such as plague, cholera. yellow fever, smallpox and so on. Its construction began in 1865 and was opened in 1869. The play was directed by the Ing. Pedralva. There were, all those years, logistical troubles for transporting food and potable water. In addition to the variable passenger population, there were living in the island the leper colony staff, postal workers and the marine radio station. The hospital of terminals was opened in May 9, 1878. For lack of land for burials, in 1907 was installed a crematory. Many times, passengers were not located according to their health but according to the tickets they paid for, shipping companies were very jealous of those "details"¨. Also the kind of food received depended on whether the passenger was traveling in 1st, 2nd or 3rd class. In 1935, after more than 65 years, advances in medicine rescinded the leper colony from which nowadays there are almost no traces.

Montevideo had also a legendary prison,a kind of Alcatraz. On January 5, 1904 Jose Battle y Ordonez declared a state of war, the revolutionary people of Aparicio Saravia were the first inmates of the island. In the civil war in 1910 also captured Blancos were imprisoned on the Island. In 1933 Terra's dictatorship again used the island as a prison. In 1942 the island hosted 55 sailors from Tacoma, German cargo ship that accompanied the Graf Spee. In 1968 under President Pacheco Areco fifty Ute and bank workers were taken to the island as well as detainees. Some time was proposed to Child Council to put a shelter at the island for dangerous minors but it was not carried out.

Commenting on the Wildlife on the island, 90% of seabird nesting in colonies, do it for two major reasons (or benefits), shared information on feeding sites and to reduce the risk of predation through the cooperation in surveillance and defense. The island of Flores is the largest place for nesting kelp gulls. This occurs between August and February. There are more than 20 other species recorded in the island. Back to the seagulls, we can say that the nests are not too elaborate, a plate of 30 cm in diameter surrounded by reeds, fur seals hair and anything that might transport. It can also be useful an indentation in the sand or in the shells of the beach. Incubation lasts 15 days and is of two to four eggs. Their color can vary but are generally greenish ocher, brown or blackish spotted 5 cm in diameter and 7cm long, with a larger and a smaller pole. Incubation and feeding back, both parents are responsible. When the chicks are born, they have a light gray featherbed, with dark spots, making it almost invisible on sandy beaches, shells and pebbles. Then they pass through a dark grayish-brown plumage mottled with brown and stained black peak. From 2 to 4 years, the tone changes and mainly white on the underparts and the peak is clearer.

As for Flora, were surveyed on the island in 2000, Maritime Pine, Pita disciplined, Cartridge, Palmera Phoenix, Laurel Rose, Tuna, mouse ears, mint, fig palam palam transparent.

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