Belize's Administrative Divisions: A Comprehensive Overview

Belize is divided into six administrative districts: Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, and Toledo. Each district has a main town from which it is administered. The districts were first organised for administrative purposes in 1881.

Belize District: the most populated district, with 110,644 residents

Belize is divided into six administrative districts: Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, and Toledo. Facing the Caribbean Sea in the central lowlands of the country, Belize District is the most populated district, with 110,644 residents. It has a rich history as the mouth of the Belize River was where the first European settlement was developed. Belize City's population density grants it ten of the 13 political divisions in the district: Albert, Caribbean Shores, Collet, Fort George, Freetown, Lake Independence, Mesopotamia, Pickstock, Port Loyola, and Queen's Square.

The remaining three political divisions—Belize Rural North, Belize Rural Central, and Belize Rural South—consist of islands outside the city limits. Belize District also includes several islands, such as Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Turneffe Atoll, St. George's Cay, Caye Chapel, English Caye, and Goff's Caye.

Belize District is home to many tourist attractions and natural landmarks, including the Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch and the Archaeological Reserve. This series of limestone caves features the slow-moving Caves Branch River.

Belize's capital, Belmopan, is located in Cayo, the largest district in the country at 5,338 square kilometres. As of 2016, Cayo was the second most populous district, with a population of 90,579. The capital of Cayo is San Ignacio, located along a tributary of the Belize River. San Ignacio has a twin town, San Elena, across the Macal River.

The country of Belize has a population of 417,107 as of 2024.

Cayo District: the largest district, with a population of 90,579

Belize is divided into six administrative districts: Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, and Toledo. Of these, Cayo is the largest district, spanning nearly a million acres. It is also the second-most populous district, with a population of 90,579 as of 2016.

Cayo District is located in the western part of Belize and contains the country's capital, Belmopan. The district's capital is the town of San Ignacio, which, together with its twin town Santa Elena, forms the second-largest town in the country. San Ignacio is home to banks, government agencies, and the country's largest farmers' market. The district is bordered by Guatemala to the west, the Orange Walk district to the north, the Belize district to the northeast, the Stann Creek district to the southeast, and the Toledo district to the south.

Cayo is a hub for inland tourism and is known as the cultural heart of Belize due to its natural attractions, concentration of Mayan sites, and excellent display of local cuisine. The district offers a wealth of activities for adventure seekers and history buffs, including rainforest tours, cave tubing, zip-lining, and exploring Mayan ruins such as Caracol, Xunantunich, and Cahal Pech.

In addition to its cultural and historical significance, Cayo also plays a crucial commercial role in Belize. The Mennonite community in Spanish Lookout is a major supplier of goods familiar to Westerners, including vehicles, hardware, and building supplies. The district is primarily agricultural, with chief crops being citrus fruits and bananas. Recently, oil was discovered in Spanish Lookout, contributing to the region's economy.

Culturally, Cayo is one of the most diverse spots in Belize, with a historical presence of Mestizos, people of mixed Mayan and Spanish descent. Today, the district is home to Maya, Mennonite, Creole, Lebanese, and Chinese communities. The diversity of Cayo is further reflected in its culinary offerings, with traditional Belizean dishes, organic produce, and gourmet dining options influenced by various cultural backgrounds.

With its dynamic mountainous terrain, Cayo boasts spectacular waterfalls and nature reserves, such as the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. The district is also home to several pre-Columbian Mayan ruins and sites, including Caracol, Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Baking Pot, Lower Dover, and El Pilar. Ecotourism is an integral part of the region's economy, attracting travellers seeking a blend of natural beauty and cultural exploration.

Corozal District: the smallest and most northern district

Belize is divided into six administrative districts: Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, and Toledo. Corozal is the smallest and most northern district. It is located about 84 miles north of Belize City and 9 miles from the Mexican border, with the Rio Hondo river separating the two countries. The capital of the Corozal District is Corozal Town, which has a population of approximately 9,871 people, according to the 2010 census.

Corozal Town has a rich history, dating back to the ancient Maya. The town was built over a former Maya city, known as Santa Rita, which may have been the original Pre-Columbian town called Chactemal. Santa Rita is now a popular tourist attraction, with its ruins offering a glimpse into the area's ancient past. Corozal Town was also significantly influenced by Maya Mestizo refugees from the Caste War of Yucatán in the mid-19th century. The refugees brought with them their culture, language, and traditions, shaping the society of the region.

The Corozal District has a diverse economy, with a mix of agriculture, tourism, and commerce. While sugar production and other agricultural crops like papaya remain important, the district has expanded into tourism and commercial activities. The Commercial Free Zone on the Belize-Mexico border is a significant source of employment for many locals. Additionally, contraband trade with Mexico, including vegetables, fruits, liquors, cigarettes, and gasoline, contributes to the local economy.

The district offers a range of attractions, including historic Mayan sites, a local museum, and outdoor activities such as sailing, fishing, and swimming. The town's open-air market is a vibrant hub for shopping and socialising, with nearby restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. Corozal's real estate market is also attractive, with prices lower than in other areas of Belize, making it a popular choice for retirees and expats seeking a tropical lifestyle.

Orange Walk District: one of two districts without a seacoast

Belize is divided into six administrative districts: Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, and Toledo. The Orange Walk District is one of the two districts without a coastline, situated in the northwest of the country. It is the second-largest district in Belize, with an area of 1,829 square miles (4,636 square km). The district is bordered by the Belize and Corozal districts to the east, Mexico to the north, and Guatemala to the west.

The capital of the Orange Walk District is Orange Walk Town, located on the left bank of the New River. It is the fourth-largest town in Belize, with a population of about 13,400. The town is nicknamed "Sugar City" due to the region's thriving sugar cane industry, which forms the basis of the local economy. The sweet aroma of sugarcane fills the air, giving the district its distinctive character.

The Orange Walk District is rich in cultural diversity, with a blend of Mestizos, Yucatec Maya, Kriols, Mennonites, and other ethnic groups. The district's history is closely tied to the Caste War of the 19th century, which led to an influx of Maya and Mestizo refugees from Mexico. This cultural fusion is evident in the Spanish influence on architecture and cuisine.

The district boasts important Maya sites, such as Lamanai, the second-largest Maya site in Belize, and Nohmul, located near the Corozal border. Lamanai, meaning "submerged crocodile" in Mayan, features large masks, pyramids, ball courts, and evidence of religious sacrifice. Nohmul, or "great mound," offers a unique raised walkway connecting two ceremonial sites.

In addition to its cultural and historical significance, the Orange Walk District is also a nature lover's paradise. The Rio Bravo Conservation Area, Belize's largest private conservation reserve, covers nearly a quarter-million acres and is filled with archaeological sites, marshes, savannas, and broadleaf forests. The district is also home to the Honey Camp Lagoon, a popular spot for locals to relax and enjoy a leisurely picnic.

The district's economy is primarily based on agriculture, with sugar cane being the primary crop. However, alternative crops such as potatoes, onions, and soybeans are gradually replacing sugarcane. Other industries contributing to the economy include dairy production, citrus fruits, beef, and rum production. The district also attracts tourists with its healthy populations of tropical wildlife and emerging archaeological sites.

Stann Creek District: the second-smallest district, with a population of 39,865

Belize is divided into six administrative districts: Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, and Toledo. Stann Creek is the second-smallest district in terms of both area and population. It covers 2,550 square kilometres (or 986 square miles) and has a population of 39,865. The capital of Stann Creek District is Dangriga, formerly known as Stann Creek Town. The name "Stann" comes from the "stanns" or safe havens used by colonialists travelling from the "old world" to the "new world". Dangriga is also known as the "culture capital of Belize" due to its influence on punta music and other forms of Garifuna culture. The population of Dangriga specifically was 8,767 in 2010, with 4,302 males and 4,465 females.

The Stann Creek District is known for its diverse ecology and tourism opportunities. The district includes Creole, Maya, Garifuna, and Mestizo communities, which have developed their own distinct cultural flavours, relatively isolated from mainstream Belizean life. The Placencia Peninsula, for example, contains both the Garifuna village of Seine Bight and the traditionally Creole Placencia Village. Placencia is also home to one of Belize's most popular tourist destinations, with its white sandy beaches and selection of resorts, guest houses, and hotels. The main street of Placencia Village is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the narrowest main street in the world.

The Stann Creek District is a major producer of bananas, citrus fruits, and other fruits. The deep-water port at Big Creek has become an important shipping point for these agricultural products to Britain and Europe. The district's coast is dotted with small towns and fishing villages that act as jumping-off points for the Belizean cayes and the Great Barrier Reef.

Inland, the district features Maya villages, tropical forests, and the Maya Mountains, which cradle the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve—the first of its kind in the world. The Cockscomb Basin is also a wildlife sanctuary and provides an opportunity to experience Belizean flora and fauna in the wild. The ethnic Garifuna village of Hopkins has recently undergone a transformation due to the growing tourism industry.

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