Mocha (island)
Mocha (Sp: Isla Mocha) is a small island in the western Pacific Ocean off the coast of western South America and forming part of the nation of Chile. The island is approximately 5 square kilometers in area, with a small chain of mountain running north-south.
It was historically inhabited by an indigineous population known as the Lafkenches. It is noted as the location of numerous historic shipwrecks. It was reguarly visited by pirates from Netherlands and England. Francis Drake and Oliver Van Noort are known to have used the island a supply base. The island today is home to the Mocha Island National Reserve, a nature preserve that covers approximately 45% of the island's surface. The waters off the island are a popular place for recreational sea fishing.
The waters off the island are also noted as the home to a famous 19th century sperm whale, Mocha Dick, the inspiration for the ficitional whale Moby Dick in the 1851 novel Moby-Dick by Herman Melville.
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Categories: Chile geography stubs | Chile