Holbox ("black hole" in Yucatecan Maya) is an island in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, located on the north coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is approximately 12 kilometres long and 1.5 kilometres wide, and separated from the mainland by a shallow lagoon that is home to flamingos, pelicans and other birdlife. Its land area is 55.948 km² (21.602 sq mi). The island's local population was 1,198 as of the 2005 census. It is part of the Municipality of Lázaro Cárdenas.Not yet heavily touristed, the island's main industry is fishing. However, the island is developing a growing tourist industry in the form of whale shark viewing.The island is accessed by ferry from the mainland town of Chiquila, and has virtually no cars, with transport by most residents and tourists by golf cart or moped. A small airline, Aerosaab, flies tours to Holbox from Cancún and has built a small airstrip to accommodate its five-seater Cessna aircraft