COZUMEL

island, Caribbean Sea, approximately 10 mi (16 km) off the eastern coast of the Yucatn Peninsula, Mexico, in the jurisdiction of Quintana Roo territory. With a total area of 189 sq mi (489 sq km), and measuring 29 mi (46 km) from northeast to southwest and averaging 9 mi (14 km) in width, it is the largest of the islands off the peninsula. Geologically similar to the peninsula, Cozumel is a plain broken by low hills and surrounded by sandy beaches. Ebony, fruits, henequen (a hemplike crop), corn (maize), and cassava are the principal products. San Miguel de Cozumel, Cedral, and Colombia are the largest towns. Cozumel was discovered in 1518 by the Spanish explorer Juan de Grijalva and subsequently visited by the conquistador Hernn Corts. Now one of Mexico's premiere tourist resorts, it offers excellent beaches, fishing, boating, and skin diving. An airport built for military purposes has made the island accessible by air as well as by sea. Pop. (1970) 5,858.