Isletas

Isletas are small islands or land projections that arise in seas, lakes, or rivers. The word is the diminutive form of isla in Spanish and is typically translated into English as islets. The plural form is isletas. The term is widely used across the Spanish-speaking world to describe both natural and artificial small landmasses.

Islets can form through a variety of processes, including volcanic activity, coral growth, sediment deposition, or erosion that leaves a small island standing in water. They vary in size from a few meters to several hectares and can be rocky, sandy, or densely vegetated. Some islets are uninhabited and serve ecological purposes, while others are developed for habitation, tourism, agriculture, or conservation. In urban or coastal contexts, artificial islets may be created for land reclamation, marina developments, or park features.

A notable example is the Isletas de Granada in Nicaragua, a group of approximately 365 small islands in Lake Nicaragua near the city of Granada. These islets are a popular tourist attraction, with many hosting private residences, restaurants, or tour services, and others protected for conservation or natural value.

In addition to natural formations, the term isletas appears in toponyms and general usage to refer to any cluster of small islands, and can also describe small fortified outposts or artificial landforms in some historical or regional contexts.