Utila
Utila (Spanish: Isla de Utila) is the smallest of Honduras' major Bay Islands, after Roatán and Guanaja, in a region that marks the south end of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-largest in the world.
Typical road near the Munchies Restaurant, a historic building | |
Utila Utila | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Caribbean Sea |
| Coordinates | 16°06′N 86°56′W |
| Archipelago | Bay Islands |
| Area | 45 km2 (17 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 74 m (243 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Department | Islas de la Bahía |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 4160 (2015) |
| Isla de Utila Lighthouse | |
| Foundation | piles |
| Construction | concrete mast |
| Height | 15 m (49 ft) |
| Shape | square prism mast |
| Markings | red mast with horizontal white band |
| Power source | solar power |
| Focal height | 15 m (49 ft) |
| Range | 4 nmi (7.4 km; 4.6 mi) |
| Characteristic | F W |
| Official name | Sistema de Humedales de la Isla de Utila |
| Designated | 2 February 2013 |
| Reference no. | 2134 |
The eastern end of the island is capped by a thin veneer of basaltic volcanic rocks, erupted from several pyroclastic cones including 74 m (243 ft) Pumpkin Hill which forms the highest point on the island. It has been documented in history since Columbus' fourth voyage, and currently enjoys growing tourism with emphasis on recreational diving and is known as one of the world's best dive locations. The people of Utila are of African (Garifuna), English and Dutch descent. Since 2013 the entire island and its cays have been designated as a protected Ramsar site.