description Serranilla Bank Overview
Serranilla Bank is a shallow, partially submerged coral reef and sandbar formation in the western Caribbean Sea, administered by Colombia under a permanent naval garrison. The feature is also claimed by the United States under the Guano Islands Act, as well as by Jamaica, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The bank sits atop a submarine plateau and represents one of several disputed maritime features in the region surrounding the San Andrés and Providencia archipelago.
help Serranilla Bank FAQ
Where is Serranilla Bank located?
Serranilla Bank lies in the western Caribbean Sea between Jamaica and Nicaragua. It is a mostly submerged reef system with small cays rather than a conventional inhabited island.
Which country controls Serranilla Bank?
Colombia administers Serranilla Bank as part of its Caribbean island territories and maintains a naval presence there. The bank has also figured in overlapping historical claims involving the United States and neighboring Caribbean states.
Does anyone permanently live on Serranilla Bank?
Serranilla Bank has no ordinary civilian population or town. Human presence is principally associated with Colombia's military outpost and occasional activity by fishers or maritime visitors.
Why has the United States claimed Serranilla Bank?
The American claim is historically connected to the Guano Islands Act of 1856, which allowed claims to certain unoccupied islands containing guano deposits. The bank's modern status is complicated by Colombian administration and maritime-boundary agreements in the Caribbean.
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