San Salvador Island, previously Watling's Island, is an island and district of the Bahamas, famed for possibly being the location of Christopher Columbus's first sighting of the Americas on 12 October 1492 during his first voyage. This historical importance, the island's tropical beaches, and its proximity to the United States have made tourism central to the local economy. The island has a population of 824 (2022) and is under the administration of Gilbert C. Kemp. Its largest settlement and seat of local government is Cockburn Town.