Where Does Belize Fit In The Caribbean?

Belize is a country located on the north-eastern 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 considered a Central American and Caribbean nation with strong ties to both regions.

Belize is often referred to as a Western Caribbean country due to its geographical proximity to the Yucatán Peninsula and its cultural similarities with other English-speaking Caribbean nations. It is bordered by the Caribbean Sea and is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.

Belize has a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages. English is the official language, while Spanish and Belizean Creole are also widely spoken. The country has a rich history, having been influenced by the Maya civilisation, European colonisation, and waves of immigration from various countries.

Belize offers a unique blend of Caribbean and British influences in its culture and cuisine. Its natural wonders, including the Great Blue Hole and the Belize Barrier Reef, make it a popular destination for tourists seeking eco-adventures and water-based activities.

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and Honduras to the southeast

The Belize-Mexico border runs for about 155 miles, mostly along the course of the Hondo River, and separates Belize from the Mexican states of Campeche and Quintana Roo. The border was agreed upon in 1893 and finalised in 1897.

The Belize-Guatemala border, on the other hand, is an almost straight line about 165 miles long, close to the 89th meridian west. This 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.

Guatemala has disputed this border, claiming that the treaty is void because Britain failed to comply with certain economic provisions. However, Guatemala officially recognised Belize's independence in 1991, and diplomatic relations were established.

Belize also shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast.

Belize is a former British colony

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, 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 also bordered by Honduras to the southeast. Belize was a British colony from 1840 until it gained independence in 1981.

The history of Belize as a British colony began in the 17th century when English settlers first arrived in the region. However, it was not until 1840 that Belize officially became a British colony, and in 1862 it was declared a Crown colony. Belize's path to independence was long and complex, marked by a unique international campaign against the territorial claims of neighbouring Guatemala.

During the colonial period, Belize's economy was largely dependent on the mahogany trade. In the late 19th century, British firms, such as the Belize Estate and Produce Company, dominated the colony's economy. The Great Depression of the 1930s caused a near-collapse of the colony's economy, and a devastating hurricane in 1931 further exacerbated the economic crisis. Despite some improvement during World War II, the economy stagnated in the post-war period.

The movement for independence in Belize gained momentum in the mid-20th century, led by pro-independence activists such as George Cadle Price. The People's United Party (PUP), founded in 1950, played a pivotal role in the independence movement, advocating for constitutional reforms and expanded voting rights. In 1954, Belize held its first election under universal suffrage, which was decisively won by the PUP.

In 1964, Britain granted self-government to British Honduras, and in 1973, the colony was officially renamed Belize. Finally, on September 21, 1981, Belize achieved full independence from the United Kingdom, becoming the last British colony on the American mainland. However, the territorial dispute with Guatemala remained unresolved, and British troops remained in Belize to deter potential incursions.

Belize's history as a British colony has left a lasting impact on the country's culture, institutions, and official language. English is the official language of Belize, and the country's political system is modelled on the British parliamentary system. Additionally, Belize remains a member of the Commonwealth, maintaining its historical link with the United Kingdom.

Belize is a member of CARICOM, the Caribbean's equivalent of the EU

Belize is a member of CARICOM, the Caribbean Community and Common Market, which is an intergovernmental organisation that acts as a political and economic union of 15 member states and five associated members throughout the Americas, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. CARICOM was established in 1973 by its four founding members: Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. It has the primary objective of promoting economic integration and cooperation among its members, ensuring that the benefits of integration are equitably shared, and coordinating foreign policy.

Belize is located on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America, with the Caribbean Sea to its east and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. It is considered both a Central American and Caribbean nation with strong ties to both regions.

CARICOM is similar to the EU in that it is a political and economic union with the primary objective of promoting economic integration and cooperation among its members. CARICOM has established a single market for many of its members, and it coordinates economic policies and development planning, as well as handling regional trade disputes.

The EU, on the other hand, is a political and economic union of 27 European countries that are dedicated to promoting economic integration and cooperation among its members. The EU's relationship with the Caribbean centres on political, trade, and development issues and is shaped by various overlapping frameworks, such as the Cotonou Partnership Agreement and the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The EU is the Caribbean's largest development partner, and it is the second-largest trading partner of CARIFORUM, a subgroup of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.

CARICOM and the EU have had formal relations since 2016, when the EU Ambassador in Barbados became accredited to CARICOM. The EU has provided support to CARICOM/CARIFORUM since 1986, and the two organisations have good relations at both the political and technical levels.

Belize's official language is English, while Spanish is the first language of the majority

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 is the only Central American country where English is the official language. However, Belizean Creole is the most widely spoken dialect, and Spanish is the second-most-commonly-spoken language. Over half of the population is multilingual.

Belize has a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages. Belize's population is approximately 410,990, and the country is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America. Belize's population growth rate of 1.87% per year is one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere.

The country's capital is Belmopan, and its largest city is Belize City. Belize is divided into six districts and further into 31 constituencies. The land area of the country extends about 280 kilometres north-south and about 100 kilometres east-west, with a total land boundary length of 516 kilometres.

Belize has a rich variety of wildlife and ecosystems, including extensive coral reefs. It is considered a Central American and Caribbean nation with strong ties to both regions. The country has a tropical climate with pronounced wet and dry seasons and is known for its September Celebrations and punta music.

Belize's official language is English, a legacy of its time as a British colony. However, the majority of Belizeans speak Spanish as their first language. Belizean Creole, Spanish, and English are all spoken by more than 40% of the population. Belizean Creole is derived mainly from English and is widely spoken in urban areas such as Belize City, coastal towns, and villages.

Spanish is the native tongue of about 52.9% of the population and is taught in schools to children who do not have it as their first language. "Kitchen Spanish" is an intermediate form of Spanish mixed with Belizean Creole, spoken in northern towns such as Corozal and San Pedro.

Mayan languages are also spoken in certain areas of Belize, as well as German. Approximately 16,100 people speak the Arawakan-based Garifuna language, and 6,900 Mennonites in Belize speak mainly Plautdietsch.

Belize's diverse linguistic landscape reflects its multicultural society. The country is home to people of Mestizo, Latino, or Hispanic origin, who make up approximately 52.9% of the population. The Garifuna, with their unique blend of West/Central African, Arawak, and Island Carib ancestry, make up around 4.5% of the population. The Maya, with their deep roots in the region, are also a significant presence.

Belize's official language, English, coexists with a variety of other languages that reflect the country's rich cultural heritage. This linguistic diversity is a testament to Belize's history and the many influences that have shaped its society.

Belize is home to the second-longest barrier reef in the world

Belize is a small country located on the north-eastern coast of Central America, with a population of around 397,483 people as of 2022. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize boasts a diverse society, with many different cultures and languages. It is the only Central American country with English as its official language, although Belizean Creole, Spanish, Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna are also widely spoken.

Belize is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, including extensive coral reefs, and is considered a Central American and Caribbean nation with strong ties to both regions. It is also home to the second-longest barrier reef in the world, which flanks much of its 386-kilometre (240-mile) coastline. The Belize Barrier Reef is a 300-kilometre (190-mile) section of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which stretches from Cancún on the Yucatán Peninsula down to Honduras. It is the largest reef in the Northern and Western Hemispheres and the second-largest coral reef system in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkelling, attracting almost half of Belize's 260,000 visitors each year. It is also vital to the country's fishing industry, providing a major source of seafood, particularly lobster and conch. The reef is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, including 70 hard coral species, 36 soft coral species, and hundreds of invertebrate species. However, despite protective measures, the reef faces threats from oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing, as well as the impacts of global warming and hurricanes.

The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, encompasses seven protected areas and aims to preserve the reef's biodiversity and natural habitats. It includes three atolls, Turneffe Atoll, Glover's Reef, and Lighthouse Reef, which is home to the Great Blue Hole. The reserve system covers an area of 960 square kilometres (370 square miles) and protects the reef, cayes, and atolls, ensuring the long-term survival of this remarkable natural wonder.

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