In the late sixties Don Gabriel Lewis Galindo with the help of General Omar Torrijos Herrera decided to develop the island as part of a huge futuristic vision. It was originally named in this time "Isla de San Isidro de Contadora". The construction of a cabaņas type of hotel was started and in December 1975 it was inaugurated as the CONTADORA RESORT.
The island has hosted a lot of historic events. One of them was the "Torrijos-Carter" treaty negotiations in 1977. They were completed in December 1999, ending the ownership and management of the Panama Canal by the USA, and delivering it to the panamanians.
The island population varies and increases during high seasons. More than 350 people live on CONTADORA among them are only 9 families, that are permanent residents. The other ones are employed by the hotels, other businesses as house keepers or guards. There are only 181 homes and villas on the island.
The island is surrounded by13 beaches e.g. "Playa Larga" in front of the Contadora Resort, "Playa Marina" on a side of the Galeon Hotel, "Playa Cacique" in front of Villa Romantica Pension, "Playa Canoa", "Playa Ejecutiva", "Playa las Rocas", "Playa Caracol" and "Playa Suecas" (nudist beach). These are the beaches that are visited the most. You can enjoy ecological trips and a lot of very attractive water activities.
Geography
The Pearls archipelago is composed of 90 islands and about 130 islets or keys. There is Del Rey, San Jose, Pedro Gonzales, Pacheca, Saboga, Chapera, Viveros, Contadora and others. Someof ther have drinkable water, extensive wide life, typical rain forest type of flora and fauna. The islands were formed by volcanic eruptions. Many are covered with valuable, special trees that are used in the woodworking industries. They are also a lot of fruits and other species. A great paradise for nature's lovers can be found on the San Pedro Island, south of Del Rey Island, it is an animal sanctuary, and the Pacheca and Pachequilla Islands, they provide a shelter for almost extinct seabirds.
The sea life combined with an abundant and varying flora and fauna is a constant attraction for Panamanians and visitors alike. The islands with their white sandy beaches and clear, turquoise water, and gentle rolling are the perfect place for holidays and other leisure activities.
Brief history
In September 1513 Vasco Nuņez de Balboa found out, after talking with the natives during his journey to Panama, that there was another ocean with many islands loaded with pearls. He decided to organize an expedition. He reached the new ocean", called "Mar del Sur", after descending from the Darien Del Chucunaque Cordilleras on the 29th of September of 1513 at a place today named " Bahia de San Miguel
On the 10th of August 1515, Pedrarias Davila, governor of " Santa Maria del Darien" at that time, sent an expedition lead by Gaspar de Morales y Francisco Pizarro that, once back home he proudly told that they had killed all the natives after they had stolen all their treasures.
After facing the lack of native slaves, they decide to repopulate the place with african slaves in 1518. They were brought there to fish and dive for pearls, and also to cultivate the soil. They brought a lot of traditions and habits to the place. After a revolt of the slaves, lead by Felipillo and the " Cimarrones ", the islands of the gulf provided a proper and secure shelter for them.
The 17-th century was very busy because of Peru conquest. The gold business and other treasures attracted the interest of pirates in the gulf. Panama is right on the way back to Spain. This way all the treasures, stolen from Peru, were crossing and shipped.
All kinds of pirates from England, Portugal, and France were active in the archipelago. They were harassing the Spanish fleets. And by the way they were a pretty good preys for these pirates, when and weather problems obliged them to find a sheltered place between the islands. People say that the name of CONTADORA comes from the place where these pirates were counting their plunders (To count is contar in spanish).