Belize's Sealife: Seals And More

Belize is home to the Belize Coast Guard, which is the maritime security, search and rescue, and maritime and law enforcement service branch of Belize. The Belize Coast Guard has its own team of Navy SEALs, who are rigorously trained in Sea, Air and Land operations. In 2013, eight BCG personnel graduated as Belizean SEALs, becoming the founding members of the unit.

The Belize Coast Guard has Navy SEALs

The Belize Coast Guard (BCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and maritime and law enforcement service branch of Belize. It was established in November 2005 with the assistance of the United States Coast Guard and became an independent branch from the Belize Defence Force (BDF) in November 2005. The BCG is under the Ministry of Home Affairs and its mission includes maintaining the sovereignty of Belize's sea space and the naval defence of Belize.

The BCG has Navy SEALs. In 2013, a selection and training course run by US Navy SEAL personnel saw eight BCG personnel graduate as Belizean SEALs, becoming the founding members of the unit. By 2014, the unit was deploying in the field, gathering intelligence and carrying out offensive operations that led to a gradual drop in crime in northern Ambergris Caye. Since then, more personnel have been trained and the unit has grown.

The graduating class of the first selection and training course was initially comprised of 19 hopefuls, but dwindled to 8 triumphant officers who were subjected to arduous training conditions, which tested their physical and mental endurance. During the commencement ceremony, Colonel Post, Lieutenant Commander, Special Operations, US Command South, acknowledged Coast Guard Commander John Borland as the visionary for the elite team of officers. Post said that he teamed up with Borland to help develop the capabilities of the SEAL team, and that it was three months of training and working with the prospective SEALs that led to the ultimate result – the graduation of eight well-prepared SEALs.

The unit has been described as "yet another milestone of the Belize Coast Guard" and an effort to maintain operational readiness. They are at different levels of combat readiness and situational awareness. Colonel Ret’d and CEO in the Ministry of National Security, George Lovell, described the eight graduating officers as “The Crazy 8” due to a particular week of training known as “Hell Week”, during which the trainees were exposed to severe physical exhaustion and tested to the limit of human endurance, fatigue and pain.

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest in the world

The Belize Barrier Reef is made up of a series of coral reefs that straddle the country's coast. It is home to a diverse array of plants and animals, including 70 hard coral species, 36 soft coral species, and hundreds of invertebrate species. The reef also boasts three distinct Caribbean atolls: Turneffe Atoll, Glover's Reef, and Lighthouse Reef. Lighthouse Reef is home to the Great Blue Hole, made famous by Jacques Cousteau in 1970.

The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which includes seven marine reserves, 450 cayes, and three atolls, protects a large portion of the reef. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 due to its vulnerability and ecological importance. The reserve system covers an area of 960 square kilometres (370 sq mi) and is comprised of protected areas such as Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, South Water Caye Marine Reserve, and Laughing Bird Caye National Park.

The Belize Barrier Reef is not only a popular tourist destination for scuba diving and snorkelling but also vital to the country's fishing industry. It is a major source of seafood, particularly lobster and conch, and attracts almost half of the country's 260,000 visitors.

Belize is a Central American country with English as its official language

Belize has a rich history and cultural heritage. The Maya civilization spread to the area around 1500 BC and flourished until about 1200. European contact began in 1502 when Christopher Columbus sailed along the Gulf of Honduras. English settlers began exploring the region in 1638, and Britain and Spain both laid claim to the land. Britain eventually defeated Spain in the Battle of St. George's Caye in 1798 and established a colony in 1840. Belize gained independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981, and is now a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with King Charles III as its monarch and head of state.

Belize is known for its diverse ecosystems and abundance of terrestrial and marine plants and animals. It has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons and is home to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world. The country also boasts a variety of landscapes, including swampy coastal plains, low mountain ranges, and lush forests that cover over 60% of its land surface.

Belize has a small, diverse population of approximately 410,990 people as of 2022. The capital city is Belmopan, while the largest city is Belize City. The country has a thriving tourism industry, with many natural and cultural attractions, including ancient Maya ruins and the Belize Barrier Reef.

Belize is a member of CARICOM

Belize joined CARICOM on May 1, 1974, and gained its independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981. As a member of CARICOM, Belize benefits from economic integration and cooperation with other member states, and participates in the coordination of foreign policy. CARICOM operates as a regional single market for many of its members, handles regional trade disputes, and devises and implements special projects for less-developed countries within its jurisdiction.

The CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme, launched in 1993, has contributed to increased youth knowledge and awareness of CARICOM issues and priorities. Additionally, the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA), a roving multi-disciplinary art festival held annually in a different CARICOM country, provides a platform for artists, performers, and cultural professionals to meet and exchange ideas.

Belize's membership in CARICOM has fostered economic and political cooperation with other member states and has provided opportunities for youth engagement and cultural exchange.

Belize is bordered by Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and the Caribbean Sea

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, Honduras to the southeast, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. It is the only Central American country with no Pacific coastline.

Belize is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is considered part of the Caribbean region and the historical British West Indies. It is a member of CARICOM (Caribbean Community) and has strong ties to both the American and Caribbean regions. Belize's abundance of terrestrial and marine plants and animals, as well as its diverse ecosystems, including extensive coral reefs, make it a key part of the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.

Belize has a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages. It is the only Central American country where English is the official language, while Belizean Creole is the most widely spoken dialect. Spanish is the second-most-commonly-spoken language, followed by Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna. Over half of the population is multilingual due to the diverse linguistic backgrounds of the people.

Belize's capital is Belmopan, and its largest city is the namesake city of Belize City. The country covers an area of 22,970 square kilometres (8,867 sq mi) and has a population of 397,483 (as of 2022). Its mainland is about 290 km (180 mi) long and 110 km (68 mi) wide. It is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America.

Belize has a rich variety of wildlife due to its position between North and South America, as well as its range of climates and habitats for plant and animal life. The country has over 5,000 species of plants and hundreds of species of animals, including armadillos, snakes, and monkeys.

Belize's rugged geography, with its coastline and jungle, has made it attractive to drug smugglers, who use the country as a gateway to Mexico. In 2011, the United States added Belize to the list of nations considered major drug producers or transit countries for narcotics.

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