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Location
The island of Cozumel is located about 11 miles (18 km) off the east coast of the Yucatan. It is opposite to Playa del Carmen and its known as Mexico's window to the Caribbean. The island of Cozumel (in Mayan: Cuzamil- for "land of the swallows") is the largest of the Mexican islands in the Caribbean Sea, as well as the most populated island in the country. The main town on the island is San Miguel de Cozumel with a population of about 71,400 (est. in 2005).
Coordinates: 20°30N, 86°57W
Characteristics
Cozumel measures about 32 miles (52km) from north to south, and almost 9 miles (14km) from east to west. Like a major portion of the nearby Yucatan Peninsula, the island was one of the landmasses that emerged from the ocean in the latter part of the Pliocene Age. As a result, the base of the island is composed of marine sediment, frequently covered with fossilized shells and sea life. Its age is estimated at 16 million years. The island is very porous and aside from rain runoff, it has no surface lakes or fresh-water rivers. Like the peninsula, Cozumel has many underground rivers and ponds, known as Cenotes.
Because of the incredible beauty of the caverns and tunnels carved out of the rock over the centuries, and their famous clear water, many Cenotes are considered ideal sites fr diving and snorkeling.
Weather
Due to its location, Cozumel is in the tropical zone. Its climate is hot and humid, and although there are rainy and dry seasons, there is occasionally rainfall year-round, making very little difference between the seasons.
Average temperature all year round is of 80°F (27° C) and the variation from winter to summer if 68°F (20° C) to 90°F (32° C).
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