Belize's Acceptance Of Capital One Cards: What Travelers Need To Know

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize has a population of over 387,000 people and is the least densely populated country in Central America. The capital of Belize is Belmopan, a planned community founded in 1970, making it one of the newest capital cities in the world.

Belmopan is located about 50 miles inland from the Caribbean coast and sits at an elevation of 76 meters above sea level. The city has a population of over 20,000 people and is known for its cool climate and tropical monsoon climate. It is the third-largest settlement in Belize, after Belize City and San Ignacio. Belmopan was chosen as the capital due to its safer location inland, reducing the impact of natural disasters like hurricanes. The city's National Assembly Building is designed to resemble a Pre-Columbian Mayan temple, reflecting the country's cultural heritage.

Belmopan has a growing economy with a mix of local and international businesses, including call centres and financial institutions. It is also a hub for ecotourism, offering national parks, protected areas, and archaeological sites. The city has a diverse population, including Kriols, Garifuna, Mestizo, Maya, and immigrants from Asia and other parts of the world.

Capital One's acceptance in Belize

Capital One cards are accepted in Belize, though it is always a good idea to carry some local currency as well.

Belize is a country located on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize has a population of over 400,000 people and is known for its diverse culture and ecosystems.

Belmopan, the capital of Belize, is located about 50 miles (80 kilometres) inland from the Caribbean coast and sits at an elevation of 76 metres (249 feet) above sea level. With a population of over 20,000 people, Belmopan is the third-largest settlement in Belize, after Belize City and San Ignacio. The city was founded in 1970 as a planned community and serves as the seat of government for the country.

Belmopan was built to replace Belize City as the nation's capital after Hurricane Hattie devastated the former in 1961. The hurricane destroyed approximately 75% of the houses and businesses in the low-lying coastal city. The new capital was constructed on higher ground to reduce the impact of natural disasters. The name "Belmopan" is derived from the names of two rivers in Belize: the Belize River, the country's longest river, and the Mopan River, which empties into the Belize River.

Belmopan has a tropical monsoon climate with a lengthy wet season from May through January and a short dry season for the remaining three months. The city experiences relatively constant temperatures throughout the year, ranging from 23°C to 28°C.

Belmopan's economy is driven by government jobs, with many residents working for the national government in administrative and technical roles. The city also houses approximately 589 businesses, five international banks, and several local financial institutions. The city has seen rapid growth due to immigrants settling in the outskirts and Belizeans relocating from the old capital, Belize City, in search of safer areas with better infrastructure.

Belmopan is known for its well-laid-out streets, avenues, and paved roads. It is considered one of the safest cities in Belize and has a thriving nightlife. The city is also a hub for call centres, often referred to as business process outsourcing (BPO) or digital sweatshops. These call centres are owned by investors from North America, the Middle East, and Asia.

In summary, Capital One cards are accepted in Belize, a country in Central America with a diverse culture and ecosystems. The capital, Belmopan, is a safe and growing city with a tropical monsoon climate. It is home to various businesses, banks, and government offices, making it an important economic and administrative centre in Belize.

Belize's former capital, Belize City

Belize City, the former capital of Belize, is the largest city in the country. It was founded in 1638 as Belize Town by English lumber harvesters and was once a small Maya settlement called Holzuz. Belize Town was ideal for the English as a central post because it was on the sea and a natural outlet for local rivers and creeks down which the British shipped logwood and mahogany.

Belize City was the capital of British Honduras (as Belize was then called) until the government was moved to the new capital of Belmopan in 1970. The decision to move the capital was made after Belize City was almost entirely destroyed by Hurricane Hattie in 1961.

Belize City has a population of 61,461 people and is the country's principal port and financial and industrial hub. It is also a popular tourist destination, with cruise ships dropping anchor outside the port. The city has a tropical monsoon climate, with very warm to hot and humid conditions throughout the year.

Belize City is divided into two areas: Northside, bounded by Haulover Creek and ending in the east at the Fort George area, and Southside, which includes the port area and downtown. Politically, it is divided into ten constituencies. The city is home to branches of all the major banks of Belize and the Central Bank, as well as marketplaces, insurance centres, and the Port of Belize, the country's main port facility.

Belize City has a rich cultural history and is considered similar to other Caribbean capital cities such as St. George's, Grenada, and Georgetown, Guyana. Notable cultural events include Garifuna Settlement Day, Belize City Carnival, and Baron Bliss Day. The city also has several museums, including the Bliss Institute, Image Factory Art Foundation and Gallery, the Maritime Museum, and the Museum of Belize.

Belize's current capital, Belmopan

Belmopan is the capital of Belize and is located in the Cayo District, about 50 miles (80km) inland from the country's former capital, Belize City. It is one of the world's newest capital cities, having been founded in 1970 and becoming the capital that same year. Belmopan was built with British aid following the devastation of Hurricane Hattie in 1961, which destroyed approximately 75% of the homes and businesses in Belize City. The new capital was built on safer, higher ground, and was designed to provide space for industrial development.

Belmopan is the third-largest settlement in Belize, with a population of over 20,000, although it is the smallest capital city in continental America by population. The city is ethnically diverse, with residents of various ethnicities, including Kriols, Garifuna, Mestizo, Maya, and recent immigrants from Asia. The city has a thriving local economy, centred around the federal government, and is home to several banks, embassies, consulates, and supermarkets. It is also a hub for call centres, with large four-storey buildings housing thousands of workers.

Belmopan's city layout centres around the Ring Road, which is just under 4km (2.5 miles) in circumference. The majority of government buildings are situated either within or around the Ring Road, and a large area within it is dedicated to parkland. The National Assembly Building is the focal point of the city's design, resembling a Pre-Columbian Maya temple. The city enjoys a cool climate at night and has a tropical monsoon climate, with a lengthy wet season and a short dry season.

Belmopan is a relatively safe and quiet city, attracting retirees and those seeking a peaceful lifestyle. It is also a popular stop for tourists travelling to other destinations in Belize and has a reasonable number of hotels and restaurants. The city has a thriving arts scene, with events such as presentations by the Belmopan Choral Society and the Festival of Arts for school children.

Hurricane Hattie's impact on Belize

Hurricane Hattie was the strongest and deadliest tropical cyclone of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season. It wreaked havoc on Belize, then known as British Honduras, and is considered one of the most destructive hurricanes to have impacted the country. Here is a detailed account of Hurricane Hattie's impact on Belize:

Wind and Storm Surge Damage:

Hurricane Hattie brought strong winds and storm surges to Belize, causing widespread destruction. The hurricane produced winds of up to 165 mph (270 km/h), with gusts over 100 mph in some areas. These winds resulted in a power outage and downed trees across the region. The storm surge, combined with high waves, led to significant flooding, particularly in low-lying areas like Belize City, which was located at sea level. The storm tide reached up to 14 feet (4.3 m) near Belize City, and the waves reached as high as the third story of some buildings.

Structural Damage and Homelessness:

Hattie's fierce winds and flooding caused extensive damage to structures in Belize. Approximately 70-75% of the buildings in Belize City were damaged or destroyed, leaving more than 10,000 people homeless. The hurricane also wreaked havoc on government buildings, factories, and oil rigs in the region. Additionally, the storm damaged about 70% of the territory's mahogany trees and inflicted significant losses on crops such as citrus fruits, cocoa, bananas, and sugar cane.

Loss of Life and Injuries:

Hurricane Hattie resulted in a significant loss of life in Belize. The official death toll in the territory was 307, with more than 100 fatalities occurring in Belize City alone. Additionally, the storm caused numerous injuries across the region.

Economic Impact:

The hurricane had a devastating economic impact on Belize, with damage estimates totaling $60 million (1961 USD). A large portion of this damage was concentrated in Belize City and Dangriga (formerly Stann Creek). The storm destroyed crops ready for export, including citrus fruits, timber, cocoa, and bananas, resulting in significant losses for the agricultural sector. Additionally, several factories and oil rigs in the region were damaged or destroyed.

Relocation of the Capital:

The extensive damage caused by Hurricane Hattie prompted the government to relocate the capital inland to a new city, Belmopan. Belize City, the former capital, was vulnerable to tropical cyclones and suffered catastrophic damage during the hurricane. Belmopan, located about 82 kilometers (51 miles) west of Belize City, was built with British aid and provided a safer location for the capital, less prone to the impacts of future storms.

Belize's population and demographics

Belize is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America, with a population of 397,483 as of 2022. The population growth rate of 1.87% per year is one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Belize's population is ethnically diverse, with a large proportion of immigrants. Mestizos (people of mixed Spanish and Mayan ancestry) make up about half of the population, while Creoles, Maya, Garifuna, East Indians, Mennonites, whites, and other groups comprise the rest. The country has a diverse society with many cultures and languages, and English is the only official language. Belize is also the only Central American country where English is the official language.

Belize's population is distributed across six districts, with the majority (about one-fourth) living in Belize City, the former capital and principal port. The current capital, Belmopan, has a population of over 20,000 and is the fastest-growing population centre in the country. Belmopan was built following the devastation of Hurricane Hattie in 1961, which destroyed most of Belize City. The new capital is located inland, about 50 miles west of Belize City, and is known for its cool climate and impressive views of the Mountain Pine Ridge mountains.

Belize's population is characterised by a substantial ethnic-demographic shift since the 1980s, with a decrease in the Creole population due to emigration and an increase in the Mestizo population due to a rising birth rate and immigration from Latin America. This shift has changed the country's demographics significantly.

Belize's population is also diverse in terms of religion, with approximately 80% identifying as Christian. Roman Catholics constitute the largest religious group, followed by various Protestant denominations. Other religions represented in the country include Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

In terms of education, Belize has a literacy rate of about 80%, and education is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 14. The country has a dozen tertiary-level institutions, with the University of Belize being the most prominent.

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