 Belize lies on the East coast of Central America in the heart of the
Caribbean Basin. The country was previously known as British Honduras. In the North, Belize shares borders with Mexico and to
the West and South with Guatemala. In the foreground, it is graced with
the Caribbean Sea and 174 miles of unbroken barrier reef. The
capital of Belize is Belmopan, a small city with a
population of
about 5000 people.
This beautiful country provides extensive sites for those with a passion
for watersports like the avid
snorkeler or the scuba diver. Fishing, waterskiing, windsurfing, boat races and swimming are favorite
activities. The exciting underwater world with unique coral structures,
marine caves and extensive marine life are a dream come true for
visitors. Miles upon miles of white sandy beaches and secluded island
retreats are only part of the fun-in-the-sun menu.
 The population of approximately 200,000
people consists of a mixture 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 people. English is the official language of
Belize, although Spanish, Creole, Garifuna and Mayan are widely spoken
throughout the country. Belize is blessed with an outstanding
archaeological heritage of Maya temples and palaces. It is known that
the Maya occupation began as early as 1500 B.C., and although it began
its decline in 900 A.D., some Maya cultural centers continued to be
occupied until contact with the Spanish in the 1500's. During the
classic period (250 A.D. to 900 A.D.), the population of Belize exceeded
well over one million people, and it is believed that Belize was the
heart of the Maya civilization at that time. Although large Maya
cultural centers no longer exist, there is still a significant Maya
population residing within many small villages. Altun
Ha (Water of the Rock) has two main plazas, over thirteen
temples and a large jade head of the Sun God Ahau (one of the largest
carved Mayan jade objects). Several tour operators run trips to the site
which is located near the Belize district and is inaccessable by public
transport. Situated in the Chiquibul Rain Forest of the Cayo District, Caracoal
(Snail) is home to the tallest man-made structure in Belize; Canaa
(Sky Place) pyramid rises 140 feet high. Although hard to get
to during the rainy season, trips and the necessary entry permits can be
organised with travel agents in Belize.
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 The main attractions
of Belize are the cayes (pronounced keys), the
offshore atolls, and the barrier reef. 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. Known for its marine environment, Belize
is well publicized for possessing the second longest barrier reef in
the world, as well as three major offshore atolls. In addition to the
aforementioned, Belize possesses numerous mangrove systems both
offshore and along the coast, thus creating a tremendous wetlands
environment in which birds, fishes, mammals, and reptiles can
propagate.With such a significant marine ecosystem, scuba divers,
marine biologists, and sport fishermen have long recognized the
importance of Belize, and it has become a favorite destination for
them.
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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.
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