PADRE ISLAND

barrier island, 113 miles (182 km) long and up to 3 miles (5 km) wide, lying along the Gulf Coast of Texas, U.S. It extends south from Corpus Christi to Port Isabel and is separated from the mainland by Laguna Madre. The island consists largely of grassy dunes and a broad beach that yields shellfish such as clams and marine snails. The area is well known for its mackerel, sailfish, and tarpon fishing and for its abundant variety of birds, particularly the heron, tern, white pelican, and frigate bird. In 1962 most of Padre Island was designated a national seashore.