Exploring The East-West Extent Of Belize

Belize is a small Central American country located on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize's land borders total 516 kilometres (321 miles), with its longest north-south distance being 170 miles and its east-west distance being 62 miles. The country's size is approximately 8,867 square miles (or 22,966 square kilometres), with its landscape featuring mountains, swamps, tropical jungle, and a diverse array of flora and fauna.

Belize is 100km (62 miles) east to west

Belize is a small Central American country located on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It is also a neighbour to Honduras, with which it shares a water boundary.

Belize is about 100km (62 miles) east to west and 280km (170 miles) north to south. The country has a total land boundary length of 516km (321 miles). The Belize River, which is the country's largest and most historically important river, winds along the northern edge of the Maya Mountains across the centre of the country to the sea near Belize City.

The country's landscape is diverse, with mountains, swamps, and tropical jungle. The Maya Mountains, a plateau of igneous rock, dominate the southern half of the country. The northern half of Belize consists of limestone lowlands and swamps less than 200 feet (60 metres) above sea level. The coastline is flat and swampy, with many lagoons, especially in the northern and central parts of the country.

Belize is a small country, with a population of around 397,483 as of the 2022 census. It is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America.

It is 280km (170 miles) north to south

Belize is a small Central American country located on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It is also a neighbour to Honduras, with which it shares a water boundary.

Belize is a small country, with a land area of 22,966 square kilometres (8,867 square miles) and a population of 397,483 (as of 2022). The country's land area extends about 280 kilometres (170 miles) from north to south and about 100 kilometres (62 miles) from east to west.

The country's northern and southern boundaries are defined by two rivers: the Hondo River and the Sarstoon River, respectively. The Hondo River forms the northern frontier with Mexico, while the Sarstoon River marks the southern boundary. The western border with Guatemala, however, does not follow any natural features. Instead, it runs as an imaginary line through lowland forest and highland mountainous plateau, officially known as the adjacency line. This area has been the subject of territorial disputes between Belize and Guatemala.

The northern half of Belize consists mostly of flat wetlands and coastal plains, with heavy forestation in some areas. The flora in this region is highly diverse, considering the small geographical area. The southern half of the country, on the other hand, is dominated by the rugged Maya Mountains, a plateau of igneous rock cut by erosion into hills and valleys. The Maya Mountains rise to heights of about 1,100 metres, with the highest point being Doyle's Delight at 1,124 metres (3,688 feet).

Belize's landscape also includes a coastal zone in the east, characterised by wetlands and numerous lagoons. The country boasts a long coastline of 386 kilometres (240 miles) along the Caribbean Sea. Off this coastline lies the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world, stretching for approximately 320 kilometres (200 miles). The reef is fringed by dozens of small islands called cays, contributing to the country's diverse marine life.

Belize's size and geographical features make it a convenient destination for travellers wishing to explore its natural wonders. With a north-south length of only 170 miles and an east-west width of 62 miles, travellers can easily navigate the country and experience its diverse landscapes, ranging from mountains to wetlands.

The country's land border with Guatemala is an imaginary line

Belize is a small Central American nation located on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The country's land border with Guatemala is an imaginary line that runs north-south through lowland forest and a highland mountainous plateau. This area is officially known as the adjacency line, with Guatemala having a centuries-old territorial claim on the former British colony.

The Belize-Guatemala border is almost a straight line, approximately 266 km (165 mi) long, close to the 89th meridian west. The border is defined in Article I of the Wyke-Aycinena Treaty of 1859, which states:

> Beginning at the mouth of the River Sarstoon in the Bay of Honduras, and proceeding up the mid-channel thereof to Gracias a Dios Falls; then turning to the right and continuing by a line drawn direct from Gracias a Dios Falls to Garbutt's Falls on the River Belize, and from Garbutt's Falls due north until it strikes the Mexican frontier.

The border has been disputed by Guatemala, which argues that the treaty is void because Britain failed to comply with economic assistance provisions in Article VII. While the situation was partially resolved in 1991 when Guatemala recognised Belize's independence, tensions have persisted, and the dispute is still unresolved. Guatemala's claim involves approximately 53% of Belize's mainland, including significant portions of four districts: Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek, and Toledo.

The border between Belize and Guatemala is not just a political division but also has cultural and linguistic implications. Belize is the only Central American country where English is the official language, while Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language. However, in the areas along the border, the languages and cultures of the two nations blend, with many people on both sides speaking Spanish and English, as well as Mayan languages and Belizean Creole.

The border communities and crossings along the Belize-Guatemala border reflect the interconnectedness of the two countries. There is one main highway crossing at Benque Viejo del Carmen in Belize and Melchor de Mencos in Guatemala. Just south of this crossing is the village of Arenal, which straddles the border, with a football field sitting directly on the border. While the crossing facilitates trade and travel between the two countries, it also highlights the ongoing dispute and the complex relationship between Belize and Guatemala.

The coastline is 386km (240 miles) long

Belize's coastline is 386km (240 miles) long. The coastline is predominantly marshy and is flanked by the second-longest barrier reef in the world. The Belize Barrier Reef is approximately 320km (200 miles) long and is the largest in the Western Hemisphere. It is home to a large variety of plants and animals and is considered a key part of the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.

The Belize Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is continuous from Cancún on the northeast tip of the Yucatán Peninsula through the Riviera Maya up to Honduras. It is the longest reef system in the western hemisphere and the second-longest in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

The Belize Barrier Reef is vital to Belize's fishing industry and is the country's top tourist destination, attracting almost half of its 260,000 visitors. It is also home to a large diversity of plants and animals, including 70 hard coral species, 36 soft coral species, and hundreds of invertebrate species.

The Belize Barrier Reef is under threat from oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Other threats include hurricanes and global warming, which cause coral bleaching. Scientists claim that over 40% of Belize's coral reef has been damaged since 1998.

The country is 8,867 sq mi (22,966 sq km) in total

Belize is a small Central American country located on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It also shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast. Belize is a member of CARICOM (Caribbean Community) and is considered part of the Caribbean region and the historical British West Indies.

Belize has a total area of 8,867 square miles (or 22,966 square kilometres). This makes it twice the size of Jamaica and slightly larger than El Salvador or Massachusetts. The country's land boundary length is 516 kilometres (321 miles). The northern and southern borders are defined by two rivers: the Hondo and the Sarstoon. The western border, however, follows no natural features and runs a north-south imaginary line through lowland forest and highland mountainous plateau. This area is officially known as the adjacency line between Belize and Guatemala.

Belize's landscape is diverse, with flat wetlands and coastal plains in the north, the Maya Mountains in the south, and a coastal zone with wetlands and lagoons in the east. The country's highest point is Doyle's Delight, at 1,124 metres (3,688 feet) above sea level.

Belize's small size and location make it easily accessible from North America, with a two-hour flight from Miami or Dallas, and a one-day drive from Guatemala City.

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