FACTS
Capital: Belmopan
Currency: Belize Dollar
Time zone: Central time (UTC-6)
GEOGRAPHY
Located on the Caribbean coast, Belize borders Quintana Roo (Mexico) and Guatemala. Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world along with 450 islands and islets known locally as Cayes (pronounced 'keys').
Formerly British Honduras, Belize gained independence from the British Empire in 1981. With 8,867 square miles of land and only an estimated 320,000 people Belize has the lowest population density in Central America and one of the lowest in the world. However the population growth rate is one of the highest in the Western hemisphere.
PEOPLE AND DIALECTS
The official language of Belize is English, with Kriol and Spanish being recognised as regional languages. Belize is culturally very diverse ranging from the Maya who have lived in Belize and the Yucatán region since the second millenium BC, to the Kriols originating from African slaves who now inhabit most coastal areas and larger cities. The Garinagu are a mix of Africa, Arawak and Carib ancestry and have settled along the coast. Mestizos, Spanish and Yucatec settlers from Mexico inhabit the North due to the Caste War of Yucatán. Mennonite farmers and other ethnic groups are also living in Belize so it is truely a tresure trove of ethnic diversity.
ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
Both terrestrial and marive biodiversity in Belize is rich. about 60% of Belize is forested, with savanna, wetland and scrubland amking up other extensive parts of the country. Belize has a number of 'national species' - the national flower being the Black Orchid, the national tree is the Mahogany, tghe national birdis the Keel Billed Toucan and the national animal is the Baird's Tapir. There are jaguars, ocelots, howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, blue footed boobies and a host of other flora and fauna awaiting you both on the islands and the mainland!