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Inagua is the third largest island in the Bahamas and its southernmost district. An island about 684 square miles, it has a population of just under 1,000, with most of the population in the only town and settlement, Matthew Town.

Inagua actually consists of two islands, Great Inagua and Little Inagua. The action in Biggles in the Blue took place on Great Inagua. In the time of Biggles, who visited it in the early 1950s, it was possible that the island was highly undeveloped. However the major economic actvitiy today is the salt works operated by the Morton Company, which employs most of the population. Great Inagua also sees some ecotourism and actually has an airport.

The flamingoes and feral donkeys (Susannah Shaw kept one) mentioned in the book are real, as are the places mentioned, namely Matthew Town and Man of War Bay. However the directions of travel given to the characters after Biggles landed at Man of War Bay seem wrong. In the book, Ginger moved east from Man of War Bay and reached a lagoon. This is plausible. Algy and Bertie headed west for the mangrove swamp. This is not possible as Man of War Bay is on the west coast and moving west leads one into the open sea.

Inagua

A Map of Great Inagua. Man of War Bay and Matthew Town can be seen.

Matthew Town Inagua

Matthew Town as it appears today. Not as undeveloped as was described in the book.

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