The Corn Islands (Las Islas del Maíz in Spanish) are a pair of islands belonging to the Nicaraguan region Región Autónoma del Atlántico Sur (RAAS), Big Corn Island (Isla Grande del Maíz) and Little Corn Island (Isla Pequeña del Maíz). They lie in the Caribbean Sea, approximately 75 km east of the mainland. Región Autónoma del Atlántico Sur, sometimes shortened to RAAS, is an autonomous region in Nicaragua. ... Jump to: navigation, search Map of Central America and the Caribbean The Caribbean Sea is a tropical body of water adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and southeast of the Gulf of Mexico. ...

The Islands are inhabited by a population of around 2700, largely made up of black Caribs/Garifunas. Both English and Spanish are widely spoken on the islands. The Garifuna or Garífuna are an ethnic group in the Caribbean area, descended from a mix of Amerindian and African people. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

The Islands were leased to the United States for a period of 99 years under the Convention of Washington, DC of August 5, 1914. The terms of the lease made the Corn Islands subject to American laws and administration, but they remained Nicaraguan territory. With American acquiescence, the Government of Nicaragua directed the Islands' local administration. The U.S.'s right to the actual or potential use of the Islands remained unimpaired until April 25, 1971, when the lease was officially terminated and the Convention of Managua of July 14, 1970, entered into force.

Commercial fishing has long been the principle industry of the people of the Corn Islands. The recent growth in tourism throughout the region, however, has also affected the islands. Tourism on the islands has grown considerably, with its many surrounding coral reefs making it a popular destination for scuba-diving and snorkelling.