By Dwight Malone
Cozumel,
Mexico is the country's third-largest island; it is on Yucatan Peninsula's eastern coast. Nearly all of the island's population lives in San Miguel de Cozumel. Snorkeling and scuba diving are popular island activities, making it a hot spot for tourists. The island covers a total of 488 square kilometers.
Mayan Roots
The Mayans were the first to settle Cozumel and in the early 16th century, nearly 40,000 occupied the island. By 1570, a smallpox outbreak devastated the population and only a few dozen Mayans remained.
The Economy
The economy is tourism-based and driven by diving and fishing charters, in addition to restaurants and hotels.
Hurricane Damage
The island was battered by two major hurricanes in 2005, Hurricane Emily and Hurricane Wilma, which did substantial damage to the island's coral reefs and diving sites.
Geography
The island is very flat, with large areas that aren't inhabited. The center of the island is mostly made up of lagoons, swamps and jungles.
Languages
Spanish, English and Maya are spoken on the island.
About the Author:
Dwight Malone is a journalist who has worked for various Chicago-area newspapers, including the "Chicago Tribune" and "Naperville Sun." He has been a writer, editor and graphic designer since 2000. Malone studied journalism at Eastern Illinois University.
