Roatan

Roatán

Native name: Roatán Nickname: The Big Island
Roatan, Bay Islands
Roatán
Geography
Location	Caribbean Sea
Coordinates	16°23′N 86°24′W / 16.383°N 86.400°W / 16.383; -86.400Coordinates: 16°23′N 86°24′W / 16.383°N 86.400°W / 16.383; -86.400
Archipelago	Bay Islands
Total islands	7
Major islands	Roatán, Útila and Guanaja
Area	83 km2 (32 sq mi)
Length	59 km (36.7 mi)
Width	8 km (5 mi)
Coastline	154 km (95.7 mi)
Highest point	1011 feet
Administration
Honduras
Department	Bay Islands
Municipality	Islas de la Bahia
Largest settlement	Coxen Hole (pop. 10 500)
Demographics
Population	44,657 (2015)
Pop. density	538 /km2 (1,393 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Native Islanders, Garifuna, Expatriates

Roatán (Spanish pronunciation: [ro.a.ˈtan]) is an island in the Caribbean, about 65 kilometres (40 mi) off the northern coast of Honduras. It is located between the islands of Útila and Guanaja, and is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras.

The island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan. It is approximately 77 kilometres (48 mi) long, and less than 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) across at its widest point. The island consists of two municipalities: José Santos Guardiola in the east and Roatán, including the Cayos Cochinos, further south in the west.

The island rests on an exposed ancient coral reef, rising to about 270 metres (890 ft) above sea level. Offshore reefs offer opportunities for diving. Most habitation is in the western half of the island.

The most populous town of the island is Coxen Hole, capital of Roatán municipality, located in the southwest. West of Coxen Hole are the settlements of Gravel Bay, Flowers Bay and Pensacola on the south coast, and Sandy Bay, West End and West Bay on the north coast. To the east of Coxen Hole are the settlements of Mount Pleasant, French Harbour, Parrot Tree, Jonesville and Oakridge on the south coast, and Punta Gorda on the north coast.

The easternmost quarter of the island is separated by a channel through the mangroves that is 15 metres wide on average. This section is called Helene, or Santa Elena in Spanish. Satellite islands at the eastern end are Morat, Barbareta, and Pigeon Cay. Further west between French Harbour and Coxen Hole are several cays, including Stamp Cay and Barefoot Cay.

Located near the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea (second largest worldwide after Australia's Great Barrier Reef), Roatán has become an important cruise ship, scuba diving and eco-tourism destination in Honduras. Tourism is its most important economic sector, though fishing is also an important source of income for islanders. Roatan is located within 40 miles of La Ceiba. The island is served by the Juan Manuel Gálvez Roatán International Airport and the Galaxy Wave Ferry service twice a day.