Belize: British Guiana's Caribbean Neighbor

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, is a country in Central America, whereas British Guiana was a British colony in South America that is now called Guyana. Therefore, Belize is not British Guiana.

Belize was formerly known as British Honduras

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, is a country located on the northeastern coast of Central America. It was a British colony from 1840 until it gained independence in 1981.

British Honduras was a Crown colony on the east coast of Central America, south of Mexico, from 1783 to 1964. In 1862, the Settlement of Belize in the Bay of Honduras was declared a British colony called British Honduras. The name change to Belize occurred in June 1973, and the country gained full independence in September 1981.

Belize has a rich history that dates back to the Maya civilization, which spread into the area around 1500 BC and flourished until about 1200. European contact began in the early 16th century, with English settlers arriving in 1638. Britain and Spain both laid claim to the land until Britain defeated the Spanish in the Battle of St. George's Caye in 1798.

The colony of British Honduras grew out of the Treaty of Versailles (1783) between Britain and Spain, which gave the British rights to cut logwood in the region. The British consolidated their settlement and pushed deeper into the interior in search of mahogany in the late 18th century, encountering resistance from the Maya. The forestry industry dominated the economy of British Honduras, with logging mahogany becoming the primary economic activity by the mid-19th century.

The early years of British Honduras were marked by conflict with the Maya, who resisted British encroachment on their land. In the second half of the 19th century, however, a combination of events, including the Caste War of Yucatán, led to an influx of Maya refugees into British Honduras. Despite this, the Maya continued to face discrimination and were not allowed to own land.

The population of British Honduras was diverse, with a mix of Creole people, Mestizos, Garinagu, Maya, and other groups. The Creole people, descendants of West and Central Africans and British and Scottish log cutters, were the largest ethnic group until the 1980s. However, mass migration and the influx of Central American refugees led to a shift in the country's demographics.

The path to independence for Belize was complicated by Guatemala's claim to sovereignty over its territory. This dispute remains unresolved, despite mediation attempts by various international actors.

Belize has a small but diverse economy, with agriculture, tourism, and merchandising playing a significant role. The country is known for its natural beauty, including its extensive coral reefs and diverse ecosystems, which make it an important part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.

Belize was a British colony from 1840/1862 until 1981

Belize, previously known as British Honduras, is not British Guiana. British Guiana is now called Guyana. Belize was a British colony from 1862 until 1981.

In 1783, the Treaty of Versailles between Britain and Spain gave the British rights to cut logwood between the Hondo and Belize rivers. The 1786 Convention of London further expanded this concession to include the area between the Belize and Sibun rivers. In 1862, the Settlement of Belize in the Bay of Honduras was declared a British colony called British Honduras, and the Crown's representative was elevated to a lieutenant governor, subordinate to the governor of Jamaica.

In 1964, British Honduras became a self-governing colony. In June 1973, the colony's name was changed to Belize in anticipation of independence. Belize achieved full independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981.

During its time as a British colony, Belize faced two main obstacles on its path to independence: British reluctance to grant independence and Guatemala's claim to the entire territory of Belize. In the early 1960s, the United Kingdom became willing to let the colony become independent, but negotiations with Guatemala over the territory's future status proved challenging. Despite these challenges, Belize successfully gained independence in 1981, retaining its historical link with the United Kingdom through membership in the Commonwealth.

Belize is a member of the Commonwealth

Belize is the only mainland Central American country that is a Commonwealth realm, with King Charles III as its monarch and head of state, represented by a governor-general. The country has a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with a legal system modelled on the common law of England.

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 the population is multilingual.

Belize has a population of around 410,990 (2022) and is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America. Its capital is Belmopan, and its largest city is the namesake city of Belize City.

Belize is the only Central American country where English is the official language

Belize is a country on the northeastern coast of 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 the only Central American country where English is the official language, while Belizean Creole is the most widely spoken dialect. This is due to Belize's history as a British colony, and later, a Crown colony, before it gained independence in 1981.

The Maya civilisation spread into the area of Belize around 1500 BC and flourished until about 1200. European contact began in 1502-04 when Christopher Columbus sailed along the Gulf of Honduras. English settlers began European exploration in 1638. Spain and Britain both laid claim to the land until Britain defeated the Spanish in the Battle of St. George's Caye in 1798. It became a British colony in 1840 and a Crown colony in 1862.

Belize has a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages. While English is the official language, 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 population.

Belize is the only mainland Central American country that is a Commonwealth realm, with King Charles III as its monarch and head of state, represented by a governor-general. The structure of the government is based on the British parliamentary system, and the legal system is modelled on the common law of England.

Belize's abundance of terrestrial and marine plants and animals, as well as its diverse ecosystems, including extensive coral reefs, give it a key place in the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. It is considered a Central American and Caribbean nation with strong ties to both the American and Caribbean regions.

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

Belize is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. Belize also shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast.

The Belize–Guatemala border is an almost straight line 266 km (165 mi) long, close to the 89th meridian west, which separates the west of Belize's territory from Guatemala's. The border has been disputed by Guatemala, which claims that the treaty establishing it is void since Britain failed to comply with economic assistance provisions. The situation was partially resolved in 1991 when Guatemala officially recognized Belize's independence and diplomatic relations were established.

Belize's border with Mexico is at Chetumal City. The country's land boundary with Guatemala runs north-south through lowland forest and highland mountainous plateau, and is known as the adjacency line. The Hondo and Sarstoon rivers define much of Belize's northern and southern boundaries.

Belize's location on the coast of Central America makes it a popular destination for vacationers. The country's abundance of terrestrial and marine plants and animals, as well as its diverse ecosystems, including extensive coral reefs, give it a key place in the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.

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