SWAN ISLANDS

Spanish Islas Del Cisne, two islets (Greater and Lesser Swan) in the Caribbean Sea, 97 mi (156 km) north of Honduras. Discovered by Christopher Columbus on St. Anne's day in 1502, they were named Islas Santa Ana. The islands, only 3 sq mi (8 sq km) in area, served as a pirate haunt from the 16th through the 18th century. In 1775 they appeared on a map as the Swan Islands. The notorious U.S. filibuster William Walker occupied them in 1860; following his death, Honduras staked its claim in 1861. They were placed under United States sovereignty in 1863 by the Guano Islands Act. Since then they have been prized by guano hunters and turtle fishermen. The islands were turned over to Honduras in November 1971. Weather, navigation, and communication stations there are still operated by the United States by agreement with Honduras. Pop. (1970) 22.