1. Read the information below about Coco’s Island. Then, answer the questions.

Coco’s Island

Background

Cocos Island is located at the center of the volcanic Cocos Ridge, which runs from the
Galapagos Islands to the Middle American Trench southeast of Costa Rica. It is the only
visible outcrop of this submarine volcanic chain and rises 3.000 meters from the bottom
of the ocean to its highest point.

Due to its palm trees and plentiful drinking water, Coco’s Island became very well-known
during the 17th and 18th centuries, when it served as a hideaway for pirates and
corsairs who flourished along the Pacific coast of Spanish America.
This island, still uninhabited by men, was discovered by Joan Cabezas in 1526 and was
designated with the name of "Coco's Island" in a map drawn about 1556. Its name came
from the hospitality and safeguard offered by this land to seamen who found in it
abundant coconut trees and fresh water to satisfy their thirst and rest between
voyages.

The island is located 500 kms off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Cocos Island became
famous, amongst other reasons, because legend has it that great treasures were hidden
here by three famous pirates -- William Davis, William Thompson and Benito Bonito
(known as Benito "Bloody Sword" Bonito) between 1684 and 1821. The treasure hidden by
Thompson -- The Lima Booty -- was the most valuable of the three, consisting of tons of
gold and silver bars, sheets of gold leaf that covered the domes of Lima churches,
church ornaments and life-sized statues of the Virgin Mary in solid gold. Cocos is
considered to have been the hidding place for more pirate treasures than anywhere else
in the world. To date, none of these treasures have been found.
Natural beauty

The real treasure, of course, is the island itself. The unique flora and fauna have
attracted numerous scientists and naturalists from around the world: 97 species of
birds, 2 endemic species of reptiles, 57 of crustaceous, and over 500 of sea mollusks
have been identified to date, and it is also home to over 800 species of insects and
arthropods, 300 species of saltwater fish, and 5 species of freshwater fish.

The coral reefs are composed of 18 species, all with an Indo-Pacific affinity. The
predominant plant species include cupey palm, and huriki, which is a large endemic tree
with spreading crown. There are approximately 127 species of spermatophytes.
The island receives a very large amount of rainfall -- 7,000 mm a year. The forest mass
is a very thick, very moist evergreen. The terrain is very rugged, which led to the
formation of many waterfalls, some of which plunge directly into the sea, contributing to
a spectacular view.

The jagged coast is lined with cliffs that tower up to 183 meters above sea level and are
riddled with underwater caves; the amazingly transparent turquoise-blue waters teem
with marine life. Sharks are very numerous everywhere, especially the gigantic
hammerheads and white-tipped sharks.

Although getting to Coco's Island is still a tropical adventure, its native beauty will
dazzle you, since both the journey through its turquoise blue waters full of life and the
green of its forests will be images hard to duplicate in any other place of the world.
Coco's Island is one of the few places where its topographical characteristics will
provide you with a large number of waterfalls of all sizes and shapes that present a
unique sight, even more when they fall into the sea. Also, this place has fresh water
springs that form small rivers, islets and high elevation cliffs that shape a unique
landscape.

World Patrimony

World Patrimony sites are established by UNESCO to protect portions of the earth
considered to be of global importance. These sites may contain features of evolutionary
interest, illustrate significant geological processes, harbor endangered plants or animals,
or in some other way possess great cultural, social, scientific or artistic value. These
areas are fully protected and may or may not be open to the public.
It was declared national territory on September 15,
1869 during an expedition performed by the costa Rican
government in search of hidden riches, obtaining this
way and without knowing it, one of the largest natural
treasures that any country could have found. The
Coco's Island was included in the National Park regime
on June 1978, saving through this act a piece of land
that conserves naturally and almost untouched its flora
and fauna for the enjoyment of future generations.