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BELIZE
GEOGRAPHY
Belize is on the Caribbean coast, bounded on the North by Mexico, South and West by Guatemala, and the beautiful Caribbean Sea washes its 174 mile coastline to the East. Belize offers an intriguing mix of tropical forests rich with wildlife, majestic 3,675 foot mountains, mysterious Maya temples, and diving and fishing experiences beyond compare. In a single day you can go from tropical forest to the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.
An adventurer's paradise, Belize is your peaceful, English-speaking neighbor only two hours away from 2 major U.S. Gateways. With a diversity of adventure opportunities unmatched by any other country, the Belize people have protected 40% of the country as parks and natural reserves. Geographically located between 15° 52' 9" and 18° 29' 55" North Latitude, and 87° 28" and 89° 13' 67" West Longitude with an area of 8,866 sq. miles including 266 sq. miles of islands.
The cayes(pronouced keys), the offshore atolls, and the barrier reef are the main attraction to Belize. The barrier reef, which is 185 miles long, is the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. The cayes are islands and/or mangroves, that are located between the mainland and the barrier reef, on the barrier reef, and on or within the barrier reef perimeters of the offshore atolls. Although the mangrove cayes are normally uninhabitable by humans, they do provide a superior habitat for birds and marine life. Many birds, fish, shellfish, and marine organisms begin their lives within the protection of the mangrove. On the other hand, the island cayes, which are distinguishable by their palm trees, have provided the foundation for the development of many fine resorts to serve the water sports enthusiasts and the marine naturalists. the cayes and atolls provide superior opportunity for SCUBA diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating, sailing, sailboarding, and sea kayaking, as well as habitat for both nesting birds and turtles.
The northern half of the mainland of Belize is a plain that was once the bed of a sea. The land is covered with a thin layer of soil, that supports scrub vegetation and dense hardwood tropical forest. The coastal area is neither land nor sea, but a sodden, swampy transition between the two. It consists of mangrove and grasses, and it is bordered by tussock grasses, cypress, and sycamore where the land separates the water.
The central part of Belize consists of sandy soil that supports large savannas. Approximately thirty miles southwest of Belize City, the land begins to rise dramatically to between 1,500 and 3,680 feet above sea level into the enchanting Mountain Pine Ridge Area and the Maya Mountains. Abundant rainfall runs off the northwest from the highlands in a number of streams which flow into the Macal River. Ultimately, the Macal River and the Mopan River converge to provide the headwaters of the Belize River.
The southern part of Belize, with its watershed to the southeast from the Maya Mountains, consists of short rivers that rush through slopes combed with overhanging ledges and caves. The rivers, carrying sand, clay and silt, have enriched the coastal belt over the years, allowing Belize to develop significant agricultural products such as citrus and bananas. Along with an annual rainfall of some 170 inches, southern Belize has a true tropical rain forest that is rich with ferns, palms, lianas, and tropical hardwoods.
HISTORY
A brief history of Belize can be divided in major four periods. Following is a very brief synopsis of these periods.
MAYA CIVILIZATION
Archaeologists estimate that at their peak, 1 to 2 million Native Americans lived within the borders of present day Belize. Mighty cities such as Caracol, Xunantunich and Lamanai dotted the landscape, with small argricultural communities farming the land between. The Maya civilization is divided into the Pre-Classic (1000 B.C. to A.D. 300), the Classic (A.D. 300 to 900) when the civilization reached its height of development, and the Post-Classic (A.D. 1000 to 1500) when the civilization fell apart and disappeared.
EUROPEAN PRESENCE
Christopher Columbus sailed along the coast of Central America in 1502, and named the bay which borders the southern part of the barrier reef "Bay of Honduras. The first settlers in Belize were English Puritans, setting up trading post along the coast of Belize. Various bands of ship wrecked sailors, buccaneers and pirates established permanent bases in Belize, harrassing the Spanish galleons carrying gold, silver, and hardwoods from Central America to Europe. It wasn't long before logging became the dominant occupation.
This band of rugged individuals took to calling themselves "Baymen" after the Bay of Honduras. Spain continually attempted to expell these British buccaneers from then Spanish territory, but finally signed a treaty in 1763 and 1786 allowing the Bristish to continue to harvest timber in exchange for protection against priates preying on the Spanish galleons.
THE COLONIAL PERIOD
During the 1840's, Great Britian declared Belize to be the colony of British Honduras. Development of Belize became more organized and multiethnic through a series of cultural changes. The European settlers began to marry freed slaves forming the Creole majority that still is dominant in the population. Mexican citizens began cultivating small farms in northern Belize. To the south, the Ketchi and Mopan Maya sought refuge in e hills of the Maya Mountains. A small band of Confederate Civil War veterans settled in what is now Punta Gorda. And from the Bay Islands of Honduras, the Garifuna people migrated and settled along the coast of Belize.
EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY TO PRESENT
By the early 1900's, Belize had grown to nearly 40,000 inhabitants. But the economy was poor, a destructive 1931 hurricane destroyed Belize City, and by the 1930's, the economy was so poor that the residents began to call for independence. By 1954 voting rights were extended to all adults, and by 1961, England agreed to begin the process of setting Belize Free. In 1973, the colony's name was changed from British Honduras to Belize and on September 21, 1981, Belizean Independence was declared.
ANCIENT MAYA
Belize was the home of the earliest Mayan settlements as proven by glyph translations and diggings. Archaeologists have found traces in the Orange Walk District of Mayan communities to as far back as 2000 B.C. Mayans considered themselves, and still do, as products of the cieba tree. This tree is said to be in the center of the universe, holds up the heaven and is a symbol of life.
The fact that the Mayans have contributed the concept of the zero among other things, tells that they had an advanced civilization. Yet it is somewhat a mystery why such a civilization disintegrated. One theory that has been accepted is due to the type of militarism. The Mayans in one community only identified with their priest and nobles. They considered Mayans in other communities, including those not living far way, as enemies.
CLIMATE
The climate is subtropical, with a brisk prevailing wind from the Caribbean Sea. The country has an annual mean temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity is nicely tempered by the Sea breezes. Variation in weather features, emphasizes the interesting difference in elevation, geology, plant and animal life. A summer high temperature, usually never exceeds 96 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter lows are seldom below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night. Saltwater temperature varies between 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
Annual rainfall ranges from 50 inches in the North to 170 inches in the South. Although the rainy season is usually between June and August and the dry season is between February and May, global weather changes are making historical predictions somewhat invalid. At the end of October, the weather does become cooler, and from November to February, it is pleasant with showers of rain. Average humidity is 85 percent. The climate is subtropical, with a brisk prevailing wind from the Caribbean Sea. The country has an annual mean temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity is nicely tempered by the Sea breezes.
Variation in weather features, emphasizes the interesting difference in elevation, geology, plant and animal life. A summer high temperature, usually never exceeds 96 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter lows are seldom below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night.
Annual rainfall ranges from 50 inches in the North to 170 inches in the South. Although the rainy season is usually between June and August and the dry season is between February and May, global weather changes are making historical predictions somewhat invalid. At the end of October, the weather does become cooler, and from November to February, it is pleasant with showers of rain. Average humidity is 85 percent.
A MULTI-ETHNIC, MULTILINGUAL SOCIETY
Belize is a country of various culture, language and ethnic groups. Approximately 200,000 people in Belize consist of Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, Spanish, Maya, English, Mennonite, Lebanese, Chinese, and Eastern Indian. Due to racial harmony and religious tolerance, all of these different elements have mixed and blended successfully, and Belize has gained a widespread reputation for its friendly peoples.
One of the most prominent ethnic group is the Creoles, which formed 30% of the population in 1991. Creoles are descendants of the intermingling of the early British settlers with African slaves from Jamaica. More than 40% of the population are Mestizos. They are descendants of mixed blood Mexicans and Yucatec Mayans who fled from Yucatan in the mid 1800's. Another 6.6% of BelizeÕs population are the Garifuna, but has decreased since 1980. The Garifuna have their own language and culture. The Yucatec, Mopans and Ketchi are three Amerindians groups which also make up Belizes population. The Chinese, with a population of 6,000 has made distinct communities, as well as the East Indians and the Mennonites.
English remains the most common language spoken as well as Creole, but Spanish is becoming more widely spoken. The Garifuna, Mayans and Mennonites speak their own language.
ATTRACTIONS
THE BLUE HOLE
The "Blue Hole" is located in the center of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, which is about fifty miles due east of Belize City. Originally a cave, the roof fell in some 10,000 years ago, as the land receded into the sea. Almost a perfectly circular hole, it is 1,000 feet in diameter, and it is 412 feet deep. Popularized by a Jacques Cousteau television special, this has become the most famous dive site in all Belize. If you are interested in diving this site, numerous dive operators can provide day and/or overnight dive trips from Ambergris Caye, Belize City or various other offshore Cayes and Atolls.
HALF MOON CAYE NATURAL MONUMENT
Half Moon Caye, located at the southeast corner of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, was the first reserve to be established by the Natural Parks System Act of 1981. One of the main reasons that the natural monument was created was to protect the Red-footed Booby bird and its rookery. The Magnificent Frigatebird shares the rookery with the Red-footed Booby, and both species coexist in apparent harmony. Some ninety-eight species of birds have been recorded on the Caye, of which some seventy-seven are migrants. Regular winter migrants include Ospreys, Mangrove Warblers, and White-crowned Pigeons.
The Iguana, the Wish Willy, and the Lizard are permanent residents on the island, while the Loggerhead Turtle and the Hawksbill Turtle come ashore annually to lay their eggs. The waters surrounding Half Moon Caye are abundant with life, and snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities are excellent.
HOL CHAN MARINE RESERVE
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve focuses on the Hol Chan (Mayan for "little channel") Cut which is in the barrier reef, some four miles southeast of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. Established in 1987, the reserve-the first of its kind in Central America - includes a five square mile area of three distinctive zones. Zone A includes the reef, both inside and outside, Zone B includes the seagrass beds inside the reef, and Zone C includes the mangroves of southern Ambergris Caye. All three zones are closely linked, and they are interdependent.
Buoys have been installed to mark the boundaries of the Reserve and to provide anchoring points for dive operators' boats. Since it is illegal to fish and/or collect coral within the reserve, the marine life is flourishing once again.
LAUGHING BIRD CAYE NATIONAL PARK
One of the newest National Parks in Belize, Laughing Bird Caye is located thirteen miles southeast of Placencia Village in the Stann Creek District. Although the caye was named for the original large number of laughing gulls, the birds have virtually abandoned their rookery because of excessive human encroachment. In an effort to assist the birds in reestablishing their presence, the government is taking steps to minimize the disruption of the caye.
Since, Laughing Bird caye is a shelf atoll with deep channels, the scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities are outstanding. Fortunately, these activities can be enjoyed without bothering the birdlife on the caye. Meanwhile, the concerned ecotourist has the opportunity to observe the birdlife from offshore, during and after diving.
SHARK RAY ALLEY
Located to the south and to the inside of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, this dive site is becoming one of the hottest marine attractions in the Caribbean. Here, dive parties can witness dozens of Southern Stingrays and Nurse Sharks swirl and dance gracefully while being orchestrated by a dive -master's bag of snacks. While resting on a sandy bottom in about ten-feet of water, divers can take advantage of this unique opportunity to watch and photograph an awesome display of grace and beauty as only mother nature can provide.
MAINLAND ECOTOURISM
Every destination in Belize has something special to offer. And every destination, from Corozal in the north to Toledo in the south, has an abundance of nature and history to experience. Belize's natural history has always been its most precious resource, and therefore, it has become a virtual paradise for botanists, herpetologists, ichthyologists, mammalogists, ornithologists, and zoologists. With the support of numerous environmentally conscious organizations such as, the Audubon Society, the Smithsonian Institute, the World Wildlife Fund, and many zoological societies, Belize has become an internationally recognized leader in preservation and conservation.
OTHER ATRACTIONS
- La Ciudad de Belize
- Area de Msantuario de Fauna de Crooked Tree
- Parque Nacional del Lago Cinco Azules
- Parque Nacional Guanacaste
- La Sierra de Pinosanejo de Rio Bravo
- El Zoologico de Belize
- Parque Nacional del Cenote Azul
- WS Cuenca de Cockscomb
- Santuario Comunitario de Babuinos
CONTACTS
Belize Tourist Board:
New Central Bank Building, Level 2, Gabourel Lane, PO Box 325, Belize City, Belize, CA
Tel: (1 800) 624 0686 (toll free; USA and Canada only).
E-mail: btbb@btl.net Web site: http://www.travelbelize.org/
Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA):
Street address: 10 North Park Street, Belize City, Belize, CA
Postal address: PO Box 62, Belize City, Belize, CA
Tel: (2) 75717 or 71144. Fax: (2) 78710.
E-mail: btia@btl.net
Embassy of Belize:
2535 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 332 9636. Fax: (202) 332 6888.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 0900-1700 Also deals with enquiries from Canada.
Caribbean Touris Organisation:
80 Broad Street, 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10004
Tel: (212) 635 9530. Fax: (212) 635 9511
E-mail: get2cto@dorsai.org
Embassy of the United States of America:
Street address: 29 Gabourel Lane, Belize City, Belize, CA
Postal address: PO Box 286, Belize City, Belize, CA
Tel: (2) 77161. Fax: (2) 30802.
E-mail: embbelize@state.gov
Web site: http://www.usemb-belize.gov/
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 0800-1200; 1300-1600; Friday: 0800-1000 (non-immigrant visas);
Monday to Wednesday: 1330-1600 (immigrant visas).
Country Dialing Code: 501
Source: Travelbelice.org and World Travel Guide
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