Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres (Spanish pronunciation: ['isla mu'xeɾes], Spanish for "Women Island", formally “Isla de Mujeres”) is an island where the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea meet, about 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) off the Yucatán Peninsula coast in the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico. It is approximately 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 waters. In the 2010 census, the namesake town on the island had a population of 12,642 inhabitants. The town is the seat of Isla Mujeres Municipality.
Aerial view of southern portion of Isla Mujeres | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 21°14′N 86°44′W |
| Adjacent to | Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea |
| Length | 7 km (4.3 mi) |
| Width | 0.65 km (0.404 mi) |
| Administration | |
Mexico | |
| State | Quintana Roo |
| Municipality | Isla Mujeres |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 12,642 (2010) |
Very little violent crime has been reported on the island over its history, leading the island gaining a reputation for its relaxed nature, as the safety of both residents and tourists being unusually high. The biggest danger to the residents of the island has historically been the threat of tropical storms and hurricanes, some of which have caused devastating damage, such as Hurricane Carmen and Hurricane Wilma.