Providencia, also known as Old Providencia or Providence, is the smaller of the two principal islands that form the Colombian Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina. The island sits 80km to the north-northeast of San Andres and is more mountainous than its bigger neighbour rising to 360 meters above sea level. Due to the island’s volcanic origin, with waterfalls and steep drops into the crystal blue sea, the vegetation is lush. Providencia is inhabited by fewer than 6000 people and is striving to retain its cultural history. Providencia’s towns are definitively Afro-Caribbean in style. The island has a wealth of pristine beaches and beautifully preserved reefs and has good snorkelling and diving sites. Its northeastern part has been declared a national park in order to protect its natural beauty. The sea surrounding Providencia is part of the UNESCO Seaflower Marine Protected Area and is on the tentative World Heritage list.