Isla Mujeres: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 57: | Line 57: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Isla Mujeres''' ({{IPA-es|'izla mu'xeɾes}}, [[Spanish language|Spanish]] for "Island |
'''Isla Mujeres''' ({{IPA-es|'izla mu'xeɾes}}, [[Spanish language|Spanish]] for "Women Island") is an island in the [[Caribbean Sea]], about {{convert|13|km|mi}} off the [[Yucatán Peninsula]] coast. The island is some {{convert|7|km|mi}} long and {{convert|650|m|ft}} wide. To the east is the [[Caribbean Sea]] with a strong [[Ocean surface wave|surf]] and [[rock (geology)|rocky]] coast, and to the west the skyline of Cancún can be seen across the clear waters. In the 2010 census, the namesake town on the island had a population of 12,642 inhabitants.<ref name="INEGI">[http://mapserver.inegi.org.mx/mgn2k/?s=geo&c=1223 2010 census tables: INEGI]</ref> |
||
The island is part of the [[Isla Mujeres (municipality)|Isla Mujeres Municipality]] in the State of [[Quintana Roo]], [[Mexico]]. |
The island is part of the [[Isla Mujeres (municipality)|Isla Mujeres Municipality]] in the State of [[Quintana Roo]], [[Mexico]]. |
||
Revision as of 22:36, 19 April 2015
 | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Adjacent to | Caribbean Sea |
| Administration | |
Mexico | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 12,642 |
Isla Mujeres (Template:IPA-es, Spanish for "Women Island") is an island in the Caribbean Sea, about 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) off the Yucatán Peninsula coast. The island is some 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) long and 650 metres (2,130 ft) wide. To the east is the Caribbean Sea with a strong surf and rocky coast, and to the west the skyline of Cancún can be seen across the clear waters. In the 2010 census, the namesake town on the island had a population of 12,642 inhabitants.[1]
The island is part of the Isla Mujeres Municipality in the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico.
History
_-_Ancient_Shrine,_Island_Mugeres_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg)
In Pre-Columbian times the island was sacred to the Maya goddess of childbirth and medicine, Ix Chel. When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century they named it "Isla Mujeres" because of the many images of goddesses. The first information available about Isla Mujeres is from the period between 564 - 1516 AC, when it was part of the Maya province called Ekab. There were 4 Maya provinces in what is today the State of Quintana Roo. The Maya also exploited the salt that the island produced in the "salinas" (small interior lagoons). The salt was used not only for the conservation of food and medicine but also as a generally accepted currency for commerce of goods along the whole Maya region. The Maya goddess Ixchel had a temple in what is today the Hacienda Mundaca (Mundaca's Plantation House).
A small Maya temple was once located on the southern tip of the island. However in 1988, Hurricane Gilbert caused extensive damage, leaving most of the foundation but only a very small portion of the temple.
Since the 1970s, along with close-by Cancún, there has been substantial tourist development in Isla Mujeres.
Transportation
Transportation on the island of Isla Mujeres consists primarily of taxis or golf carts and moped scooters. As of 2005 there were 121 taxis, 500 golf carts, and 1500 moped scooters.[2] There is also a bus service that runs from the Downtown to the different neighborhoods, called colonias in Spanish (where most of locals live).
Ferry service to the mainland
Ferry boats run from the island and Puerto Juárez or Gran Puerto on the mainland. The island is popular with day trippers, but activity quiets down in the evening after the tour groups leave.
Tourism
There are numerous places to eat fresh seafood cooked with local and traditional delicious recipes, also many other types of food are available at restaurants on the island such as: black angus steaks, Mexican, Yucatecan, Italian, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Hebrew, French, Thai, Cuban & Maya. Hotel prices vary from cheap to very expensive at the resorts on the southwest end such as Hotel Villa Rolandi, and Playa Norte Ixchel Beach Hotel. In the north is El Centro (downtown), whose central axis, Hidalgo Street, is the main dining and entertainment area. Also located on the north end is a famous beach called Playa Norte, which has recovered quickly since Hurricane Wilma hit the area in 2005. Besides these attractions, swimming with dolphins can also be experienced at the Island via Dolphin Discovery.
The island of Isla Mujeres is located close to one of many coral reefs such as the one located in Garrafon Park, which is an area popular for its snorkeling and scuba diving. The Cancun underwater museum, created by English sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, is located off the western coast of Isla Mujeres. Isla Mujeres is also home to a population of sea turtles. Because of the recent endangerment of sea turtles in the area, a facility was set up on the southern end of the island for the rehabilitation and breeding of them. This facility is open to the public.
The island's relative proximity to Cuba has made it one of the favorite stepping stones of Cubans trying to reach the United States in recent years.[3]
Gallery
-
View from the northern beach. -
Sunset on the island. -
Colorful souvenirs. -
Patron of the sea turtle farm. -
Statue of the goddess Ixchel at Punta Sur
References
- ^ 2010 census tables: INEGI
- ^ Census of 2005 Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática, in Spanish.
- ^ Lacey, Marc (2007-10-15), "For Cubans, a Twisting New Route to the U.S.", New York Times, retrieved 2007-10-15
External links
- Fideicomiso de Promoción Turística de Isla Mujeres Official tourism website
- Template:Dmoz
 State of Quintana Roo | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chetumal (capital) | |||||||||||
| Municipalities (seats) |
|  | |||||||||
| Places of interest |
| ||||||||||