About Belize

Belize is in the Western Caribbean, located South of Cancun on the East side of the Yucatan Peninsula. Bounded to the North by Mexico, the South and West by Guatemala and on the East by the Caribbean Sea.

Belize is a small Central American countries with 8,866 square miles and a population of about 270,000. It is about the same size as Massachusetts (USA) larger than El Salvador and is twice the size of Jamaica. Belize is 174 miles long and 68 miles wide. Belize City is the principal commercial city, and is situated on the Western Caribbean. The Cruise Ship Port-of-Entry is located there. Belize International Airport is about 10 miles North of Belize City in an area known as Ladyville. Cab fare to and from Belize City and Belize International is BZ$40 (US$20).

The Capital City, Belmopan, is located in the Cayo District, 56 miles southwest of Belize City and is near the geographic center of the country. A population of 7,200 makes Belmopan the smallest capitol in the world.

There are four paved - 2 lane highways in Belize - The Northern, Western, Hummingbird and Southern Highway.

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

Northern areas of Belize are mostly flat, low-lying areas with undulating hills on the northwest boundary, lagoon systems along much of the coast and rivers in between, The nicest areas are in the Corozal District. The northern region is good for farming and cattle ranching. The sugar cane industry is located here.

Central Belize, along the coastline is mostly low-lying swamp and mangrove systems. Further west, rolling hills, rivers, creeks, and pristine jungle adorn the countryside. Central Belize is known for it's eco-tourism industry and is home the highest point in Belize, Victoria Peak, with an elevation of 3,699 feet above sea level in the Maya Mountains

Southern coastline regions have mangrove and sandy beaches with blue-green Caribbean waters, and some of the best fishing and diving in the world. The east coast is primarily low-lying, then gaining elevation become the Maya Mountains with it's network of lagoons, rivers, creeks, and cave systems.

Climate-Sub-Tropical (dry and wet seasons). The annual rainfall in the Northern region of Belize is approximately 60 inches and in the southern region of Belize as high as 200 inches per year.


POPULATION, LANGUAGES AND CULTURE

The population of Belize is approximately 270,000 people. Belize is considered to be the third most advanced country in Central America, after Costa Rica and Panama.

English is the official language, however due to surrounding latin influence, Spanish is widely spoken. Belize is also the home of the Garinagu, who speak Garifuna and Creole, which are common languages spoken by the locals. In the south there remain Mayan villages with their traditional way of life. Most still speak a Mayan dialect. Another prominent culture, the Mennonites, speak two languages - German and English. There are various groups of Mennonites; some hold their traditions, while progressive groups, make use of more modern technology. The Mennonites are considered to be the top Agriculture growers around. Their motto is "We Grow Belize".

HISTORY OF BELIZE

Belize was originally occupied by the ancient Mayans, dating back to 2000 BC. The Mayan culture flourished until around 900 AD, at which time the population living in what is now Belize, was believed to be about 1,000,000. They were part of a civilization that encompassed the Yucatan, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.

The Spanish first laid claim to the areas of Central America, now occupied by Belize, during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Baymen lived around the Bay of Honduras and were the first Europeans to settle in the area.

They depended on slave labor for the arduous task of removing heavy logs, like , from the Belizean Jungle. Today there still remain villages dating from this period.

Treaties signed between Spain and England allowing the Baymen to cut logwood for their dye operations, but a showdown by the British, in 1798 at St. George's Caye, off the Belize, drove away the invading Spanish away, thus giving rise to the area's former name, British Honduras.

British Honduras remained a British colony until 1981, at which time it was granted it's independence. The name was changed to Belize in     1973, in anticipation of it's impending independence."

GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

Belize, a member of the British Commonwealth, is a democracy operating under the British parliamentary system. Belize consists of 6 Districts that elect officials responsible for representing the people of that District. Within each District there is a major town, which acts as the center of government and elects officials responsible for the local services in that District. Village councils and village leaders "Alcaldes" are elected to provide a system of governance in the respective villages. The Legal Age for a Belizean to vote is 18.

BANKING AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE

There are 5 commercial banks in Belize which are: Alliance Bank of Belize Ltd.; Atlantic Bank of Belize; Barclays Bank PLC; Belize Bank Ltd. and Scotia Bank

The exchange rate is 2 BZ dollars to 1 US (2:1 with the U.S. dollar). Most all resort-hotels accommodations will be glad to facilitate your transactions in U.S. dollars or by Visa, Master Card.