Belize's Birthday Countdown: Unveiling The Country's Age

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, will be 42 years old in 2023. The country, located on the northeastern coast of Central America, was a British colony until it gained independence on 21 September 1981. Belize has a rich history, with the Maya civilisation flourishing in the region between 1500 BC and AD 900. The country's diverse culture and demographic makeup reflect its colonial past and indigenous heritage, with influences from Europe, Africa, and neighbouring Latin American countries.

Belize's independence from the UK

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1981.

The road to independence was a long and arduous one, marked by several stages of decolonisation. In 1954, Belize achieved universal adult suffrage, and in 1964, it was granted a new constitution and internal self-government, with George Price, a middle-class Roman Catholic intellectual of mixed Creole and mestizo ancestry, becoming premier.

However, the process of gaining independence was impeded by Guatemalan hostility, as Guatemala had long-standing territorial claims over Belize. In the 1970s, Belize took its case to the international community, appealing to the United Nations and joining the Non-Aligned Movement. Despite the dispute remaining unresolved, Belize became independent on 21 September 1981, with a British defence guarantee, and was admitted to the UN.

Belize's independence was also opposed by the United Democratic Party (UDP), which ironically later became the government of Belize. The UDP waged a vicious campaign against independence, including protests that culminated in the burning of homes and businesses in Belize City and riots that led to a state of emergency.

Despite these challenges, Belize became an independent state on 21 September 1981, with all its territory and full sovereignty. British troops remained stationed in Belize to defend against any possible attack from Guatemala. This presence proved necessary, as Guatemala refused to recognise the new nation because of its territorial dispute, claiming that Belize belonged to Guatemala.

The border dispute with Guatemala remains unresolved, and in 2005, the two countries agreed that if a negotiated settlement proved impossible, the dispute could be settled by an international legal entity. In 2008, both countries agreed to submit their case to the International Court of Justice, subject to referendums in both countries.

The country's name change from British Honduras to Belize

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, is a country located on the northeast coast of Central America. It was known as British Honduras until 1973, when it was renamed Belize in anticipation of its independence.

The name change from British Honduras to Belize has several speculated origins, with the most popular theories involving Mayan and European influences.

One theory suggests that the name "Belize" is derived from the Mayan language. The Maya natives extensively inhabited the land and used the rivers in Belize as a major means of transportation for large goods such as logs, jade, and cacao. They referred to these rivers as "Balix", which means "muddy waters". Over time, it is believed that "balix" evolved into the word "Belize". This theory is supported by the fact that the earliest known record of the name "Belize" appears in the journal of Dominican priest Fray José Delgado, dating back to 1677, where he referred to the Belize River as "Balix".

Another theory suggests that the name "Belize" is derived from the Spanish mispronunciation of the name of a Scottish buccaneer, Peter Wallace. Wallace discovered the mouth of the Belize River in 1638 and established a settlement for cutting logwood. The Spaniards had difficulty pronouncing the letter "W", so they pronounced his name as "Vallis", which was then altered to "Belix" and eventually became "Belize".

A variation of this theory suggests that Wallace used the shores of Belize as a base to attack Spanish ships and take their logwood. He was later expelled by the Spaniards but settled along the coastline of Belize, selling smoked turtle meat to migrating ships. His name became well-known, but the pronunciation was slowly modified due to interactions with travellers who spoke other languages, and the land became known as Belize.

The name change from British Honduras to Belize reflects the country's transition from a British colony to an independent nation, honouring its historical roots while embracing a unique identity.

The Battle of St. George's Caye

Belize will be 44 years old in 2024. The country gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1981.

The conflict was between an invading force from Mexico, seeking to assert Spanish claims, and a small force of resident woodcutters called Baymen, who were assisted by black slaves. The Baymen were fighting for their livelihood, having settled in the area in the 1650s to cut and export logwood back to Europe. The Spanish had attempted to expel them on several previous occasions, most recently in 1779.

From 3 to 5 September, the Spaniards tried to force their way through Montego Caye shoal but were blocked by the defenders. On 10 September, the Baymen repelled the Spanish fleet in a short engagement with no known casualties. The Spaniards, ravaged by sickness, withdrew and never returned to Belize.

The victory by the Baymen and their slaves is considered a significant event in Belizean history, marking the moment when the people of the settlement, of all races and creeds, decided to defend their territory. The anniversary of the battle has been declared a national holiday and is celebrated as St. George's Caye Day on 10 September.

The country's ethnic composition

Belize is a melting pot of diverse cultures, with a dozen or more active cultures and different ethnic groups contributing to the Belizean identity. The country's small population is ethnically diverse and includes a large proportion of immigrants. Since the 1970s, migration has shifted Belize's ethnic composition from a predominantly Creole population to one in which Mestizos make up half of the total inhabitants.

Mestizos

Mestizos, or people of mixed Spanish and Mayan ancestry, make up about 52.9% of Belize's population. They are found everywhere in Belize but mostly make their homes in the northern districts of Corozal and Orange Walk. Their towns centre on a main square, and social life focuses on Hispanic and Catholic traditions and customs. Spanish is the main language of most Mestizos, but many also speak English and Belizean Creole fluently. Mestizo culture is unique and distinct from the cultures of Latin American and Central American migrants and refugees. Together with Latin Americans, they make up the Hispanic group, which constitutes half of Belize's total population.

Creoles

Belizean Creoles, or people of mixed African and British descent, make up about 25.9% of the population. They are found all over Belize but predominantly in urban areas. The Creoles have had a significant impact on Belize's history and politics, actively participating in significant events such as the Battle of St George's Caye and advocating for higher education, self-government, and independence. However, due to mass migration, they are no longer the biggest ethnic group in Belize.

Maya

The Maya people, consisting of the Yucatec, Mopan, and Q'eqchi' groups, make up about 11.3% of Belize's population. They are mainly found in the Orange Walk, Corozal, and Toledo districts. The Maya speak their native languages and Spanish and are often fluent in English and Belizean Creole.

Garifuna

The Garifuna, or Afro-Amerindian people of mixed West/Central African, Arawak, and Island Carib ancestry, make up around 4.5-6.1% of the population. They are mainly found in the southeast along the Caribbean coast, in towns like Dangriga. The Garifuna language belongs to the Arawakan language family and has loanwords from Carib languages and English.

Other Ethnic Groups

Belize is also home to smaller populations of East Indians (2-3.9%), Mennonites (1.2-3.6%), whites or Caucasians (1.2-4.8%), and people of Middle Eastern, Chinese, and North American descent.

The country's official language

Belize is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is the only Central American country where English is the official language. This is due to its history as a British colony. However, Belize is a diverse country with many different cultures and languages.

Belize is home to several Mayan languages, including Q'eqchi', Mopan, and Yucatec Maya. Belizean Creole (or Kriol) is also widely spoken and is derived mainly from English. It is believed to have developed during the time of slavery and was historically spoken by enslaved Africans. Today, it is an integral part of Belizean identity and is spoken by about 45% of Belizeans.

In addition, Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language in Belize, with about 52.9% of the population identifying as Mestizo, Latino, or Hispanic. Spanish is taught in schools and widely spoken, especially in the northern districts. "Kitchen Spanish," a mix of Spanish and Belize Creole, is commonly heard in towns such as Corozal and San Pedro.

Belize is also home to the Garifuna language, an Arawakan-based language with influences from Carib languages and English. Approximately 16,100 people speak Garifuna, which is spoken by the Garifuna people, who make up around 4.5% of the population.

German dialects are also present in Belize, particularly among Mennonite communities. Plautdietsch, a Low German dialect, is spoken by Mennonites in their daily lives, while a minority also speak Pennsylvania Dutch.

With its diverse linguistic landscape, Belize encourages multilingualism, and over half of the population is multilingual.

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