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Roatán is a coral island. Situated atop an exposed ancient coral reef, it rises to about 270 m (890 ft) above sea level. The easternmost quarter of the island is separated by a 15-meter-wide channel through the mangrove forest. This section is called Helene, or Santa Elena in Spanish.
Roatán is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras, located in the western Caribbean Sea. The island has a rich history, dating back to the pre-Columbian era when it was inhabited by the Paya people.
Roatán, town, northern Honduras, on the southwestern coast of Roatán, largest of the Bay Islands; it is known locally as Coxen’s Hole. Remains of 17th-century pirates’ fortifications can still be seen; it was from Roatán that the filibuster William Walker set sail on his third and last voyage from.
Roatan has a colorful history that weaves in stories of Indians, invaders, pirates, buried gold, and a blend of races and languages. When Columbus discovered a neighboring island named Guanaja in 1502, the islands were already populated.
In this comprehensive guide to Roatan island, we’ll cover the popular parts of the island, some insight into the tourism industry and general economy here on the island, and also the history, culture, and climate of Roatan.
A Brief History of Roatán. Columbus came across the Bay Islands in 1502. Inhabited by the Paya Indians, the Spanish took control and raided the islands for slave labor. English pirates soon followed and thus began the back-and-forth battle of control of the islands, with a notably fierce battle in Port Royal in 1782.
Overview of Roatan’s History. Roatan, an enchanting island nestled in the Caribbean, boasts a rich tapestry of history shaped by indigenous cultures, European colonization, and the vibrant mix of influences that continue to define its identity today.
The history of Roatan is filled with stories of colonizing, enslavement, liberating, and ultimately settlements. The historic record has the Paya Indian living on Roatan and trading with the mainland.
The natural mangrove tunnels on Roatan’s East end became both battlefields and refuges during the ensuing conflict. This discovery of the entire Bay of Honduras attracted a diverse array of individual settlers, pirates, traders and militarists during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Combine ancient civilizations, Carib Indians, African slaves, notorious swashbuckling pirates, English and Spanish conquests, sunken treasures, and a tradition of living off the sea passed down from countless generations and you have Roatan.