Belize's Coastal Secrets: One Coastline, Many Treasures

Belize is a small Central American country with a coastline on the Caribbean Sea. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and Honduras to the southeast. Belize has a coastline of 386km, which is predominantly marshy. The coastline is flanked by the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef system in the world.

Belize's coastline is 386km long

The coastline is predominantly marshy, with dense mangrove habitats and low-lying, narrow sandy shoreline. The Belize Barrier Reef, the second-longest in the world, flanks much of the coastline. The reef is approximately 322km long and is one of the natural wonders of the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a diverse range of plants and animals.

Belize's coastline also includes several islands, known locally as cayes, which are popular tourist destinations. The country's abundance of terrestrial and marine plants and animals, as well as its diverse ecosystems, make it an important part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.

The northern part of Belize consists of flat, swampy coastal plains, with heavy forestation in some areas. The south contains the Maya Mountains, which rise to heights of about 1,100 metres. The mountains are covered with shallow, highly erodible soils of low fertility and are sparsely inhabited.

The country has a population of 397,483

Belize is a small Central American country with a population of 397,483 (as of 2022). It is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America, with a population density of 18 people per square kilometre. Belize is a melting pot of diverse cultures, languages, and ethnicities, with a significant proportion of its population being multiracial.

Belize's population is primarily urban, with about 48% of its people living in urban areas. Belize City, the country's former capital and principal port, is home to around a quarter of the population. Other major cities include San Ignacio, Belmopan, Orange Walk Town, and Corozal Town. The capital city, Belmopan, has a population of 19,931.

The population of Belize is made up of various ethnic groups, with Mestizos (people of mixed Spanish and Yucatec Maya descent) constituting the largest group at 52.9%. Creole, Maya, Garifuna, East Indian, Mennonite, White, Asian, and other groups also form part of the country's demographic landscape. The country's official language is English, but Belizean Creole, Spanish, and various Mayan dialects are also widely spoken.

Belize's population is growing, with a growth rate of 1.87% per year (2018 estimate), the second-highest in the region and one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere. This growth, along with emigration and immigration, has led to shifting demographics over the years. While Creoles were once the largest ethnic group, emigration to the US, UK, and other countries has changed the ethnic makeup of Belize.

Belize's small population and diverse cultural landscape make it a unique country in Central America, offering a blend of beach, jungle, culture, and history to those who visit.

Belize is bordered by Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and Honduras to the southeast. The country has a total land border length of 516 kilometres (321 miles), with 272 kilometres (169 miles) bordering Mexico and 266 kilometres (165 miles) bordering Guatemala.

The border between Belize and Mexico runs along the Hondo River, which forms the northern boundary of Belize. The Hondo River flows from Guatemala through Belize and into Mexico, where it meets the Belize River and empties into the Caribbean Sea. The land border crossing between Belize and Mexico is at Chetumal City, and commuter flights connect Belize to several Mexican cities, including Chetumal.

The Belize–Guatemala border is defined in the Wyke–Aycinena Treaty of 1859 and is an almost straight line 266 kilometres (165 miles) long, close to the 89th meridian west, which separates the west of Belize's territory from Guatemala. The border has been disputed by Guatemala, which claims that the treaty is void since Britain did not comply with certain economic assistance provisions. This dispute has been ongoing for decades and has occasionally led to tensions between the two countries. However, in recent years, both countries have agreed to refer the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to resolve the long-standing dispute.

Belize shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast. A two-hour boat ride from Punta Gorda in the Toledo district of Belize will take you to Puerto Cortez in Honduras.

It is the only Central American country without a Pacific coastline

Belize is a small Central American country located on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America. It is the only Central American country without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean.

Central America is usually defined as consisting of eight countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Panama. These countries are bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

Belize borders the Caribbean Sea to the east and has 386 km of coastline. The country shares land and sea borders with Mexico and Guatemala and a sea border with the Guatemalan department of Izabal. Belize's coastline is flanked by the second-longest barrier reef in the world, which stretches for 320 km (200 mi).

Belize's geography consists of flat wetlands and coastal plains in the north and the Maya Mountains in the south. The country has a tropical climate with a rainy season from June to November and a dry season from January to May.

While Belize does not have a Pacific coastline, other Central American countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica boast beautiful beaches and coastal destinations on the Pacific side.

In summary, Belize is a Central American country with a diverse landscape and a vibrant coastline along the Caribbean Sea. Its lack of a Pacific coastline makes it unique among its regional neighbors, all of whom have coastlines on the Pacific Ocean.

Belize is a member of CARICOM

CARICOM has four primary activities:

• Coordinating economic policies and development planning
• Devising and instituting special projects for the less-developed countries within its jurisdiction
• Operating as a regional single market for many of its members (Caricom Single Market)
• Handling regional trade disputes

The secretariat headquarters of CARICOM is in Georgetown, Guyana. The organisation was granted official United Nations General Assembly observer status. CARICOM has been instrumental in the formation of other supranational Caribbean organisations, such as the Association of Caribbean States and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

Belize is one of the Less Developed Countries (LDCs) within CARICOM. The other LDCs are the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. The More Developed Countries (MDCs) are the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, the Republic of Suriname, and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The post of Chairman (Head of CARICOM) is held in rotation by the regional Heads of Government of CARICOM's 15 member states.

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