|Get to Know Roatan, Honduras
Honduras at a Glance About Roatan Culture Climate
Honduras At a Glance
112,492 sq km (43,870 sq mi)
Spanish, Amerindian dialects.
Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority.
January 1 - New Years Day.
March/April - Holy Saturday and Good Friday.
April 14 - Americas Day.
May 1 - Labor Day.
September 15 - Independence Day (1821 from Spain).
October 3 - Soldier Day.
October 12 - Ethnic Day.
October 21 - Army Day.
December 25 - Christmas Day.
Diario Tiempo | Honduras This Week | La Prensa | La Tribuna
Sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products.
21 lempiras (L) = $1 U.S. (9/2014)
Subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains.
111,890 sq. km. Mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains.
(2014); Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1%.
15 00 N, 86 30 W
Timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower.
Bananas, coffee, citrus, beef, timber, shrimp.
18 departments; Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle and Yoro.
economy is based on agriculture; bananas and coffee are the most
important exports. The vast banana plantations, established by U.S.
companies, are mainly along the northern coast...Seafood, gold and
other minerals, palm oil, fruit, lumber, and beef are also
exported. Other important food crops include corn, beans, rice, and
Roatan, the largest of The Bay Islands, at 30 miles long and 3 miles wide, is part of the Bonacca Ridge, which is a submerged mountain range. The tops of the mountains form the islands which are surrounded by the world’s second largest barrier reef, with world-class diving and snorkeling. This archipelago is just 30 miles off the north coast of Honduras in the western Caribbean.
Just a short distance off shore is the southern end of the world's second largest barrier reef, which has made Roatan famous with divers. There is no better place to dive than the crystal clear warm waters surrounding the Bay Islands. Be among the first to explore the untouched virgin dive sites of Roatan.
Surrounded by the Great Western Barrier Reef, Roatan's waters are full of spires and towers of Star, Starlet, and Lettuce Corals, and the best selection of sponges found anywhere in the Caribbean. You'll be delighted with the seascape of overhangs, canyons, fissures, and maze of tunnels along the walls of continuous reef. Excellent underwater visibility gives way to a myriad of invertebrate and fish species.
The reef’s coral wall extends almost from the surface to a depth of 35-50 meters. The visibility is often in excess of 30 meters allowing you to observe deep water fish while observing the diverse reef ecosystem.
Roatan enjoys a reputation for having an amazingly rich ecosystem. At Castaways Cove, you can investigate this ecosystem -- snorkel around the vibrant coral gardens located close to shore or take one of our kayaks on a five minute paddle out to the reef or through the mangrove tunnels.
With a tropical mountainous terrain over-looking the dramatic shore coastline and beautiful sandy beaches, interrupted only occasionally by small villages, Roatan offers the ultimate vacation experience.
And although the spectacular diving and snorkeling draws thousands of tourists here, Roatan remains one of the last undiscovered islands of the Caribbean. Unlike many Caribbean islands, Roatan has not suffered extensive commercialization and retains its laid-back charm. With its colorful history of pirates and indigenous Mayan culture, the Roatan of today offers a wonderful fusion of past and present. Of all the treasures that have been lost here, there are many more still to be found.
Enjoy this quiet corner of paradise by the sea, with the finest diving, snorkeling, sailing and fishing.
- Honduras means " deepwater" and the reef create natural breakwaters and an ideal, calm pool for diving, fishing, swimming and sailing.
- The Bay Islands cover abou