The Distance Dilemma: Unveiling Mexico's Proximity To Belize

Belize is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The modern border between Belize and Mexico was agreed upon in 1893 and finalized in 1897. The border is approximately 160 miles long and follows the course of the Hondo River.

Belize is not 1200 miles away from Mexico. However, several countries are approximately 1200 miles away from Mexico, including Cuba, Nicaragua, and the United States.

The Belize-Mexico border is 160 miles long

The Belize–Mexico border is 160 miles long and separates Belize from the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The modern boundary was agreed to in 1893 and finalised in 1897. The border almost exclusively follows the course of the Hondo River.

The border between Mexico and Belize was difficult to explore due to its remote location, especially for the Mexican territory. Because of the region's sparse population, the British colony of British Honduras, now Belize, was able to occupy the region. However, Mexico did not recognise British possession of the territory until the late nineteenth century.

The border has two official crossings with international bridges. The main one is located between Subteniente Lopez, Quintana Roo, Mexico, and Santa Elena, Corozal District, Belize. It is about 16 km (10 mi) from Chetumal, the capital of Quintana Roo and the main city of the region. A new bridge was opened to the public in 2013, located about five blocks west of the old bridge.

The border separates Belize from the Mexican state of Quintana Roo

The Belize–Mexico border is an international border that separates Belize from the Mexican state of Quintana Roo and Campeche on the eastern coast of Central America. The border is 250 kilometres (160 miles) long and almost exclusively follows the course of the Hondo River.

The modern boundary was agreed to in 1893 and finalised in 1897. The border starts at Boca Bacalar Chico, a narrow channel that separates the southern tip of the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and Ambergris Caye. It then runs through Chetumal Bay in a broken line up to the mouth of the Hondo River. The border follows the Hondo River through its deepest channel and then along its tributary, Blue Creek, until it reaches the meridian of Garbutt's Falls (approximately 89° 9' W). From this point, it runs directly south to 17° 49' N latitude, the border established between Mexico and Guatemala.

There are two official crossings at the border, where international bridges have been constructed. The main one is located between Subteniente Lopez, Quintana Roo, Mexico, and Santa Elena, Corozal District, Belize. It is about 16 kilometres (10 miles) from Chetumal, the capital of Quintana Roo and the main city of the region. A second bridge was opened to the public in 2013, located about five blocks west of the old bridge.

The Belize–Mexico border is one of the lesser-used borders by Mexicans but has gained notoriety due to recent reports of drug trafficking. This problem has been exacerbated by a significant increase in economic activity and tourism, especially on the Belize side of the border. Bilateral agreements between Mexico and Belize have been made to combat this issue.

The border treaty was signed in 1893 and finalised in 1897

The border treaty between Mexico and Belize was signed in 1893 and finalised in 1897, marking the end of a decades-long process of negotiation and conflict.

The border between the two nations was difficult to establish due to its remote location and sparse population. The British colony of British Honduras (now Belize) had occupied the region, but Mexico did not recognise British possession of the territory until the late 19th century. During this time, the Mexican government wanted to put an end to arms smuggling from Belizean Maya rebels during the Caste War. In response, the Mexican government created a Federal Territory, which had previously belonged to the State of Yucatan, and later formed the Territory of Quintana Roo.

In 1893, the Mexican government, led by Porfirio Diaz, decided to negotiate with the British to fix the common border. On July 8, 1893, a treaty was signed in Mexico City by Ignacio Mariscal, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Minister Plenipotentiary for Mexico, and Sir Spenser St. John, Minister Plenipotentiary for the United Kingdom. The treaty consisted of four articles: the first set the upper border, the second required the UK to stop arming Mayan rebels, the third prevented Native Americans from encroaching into the territory of the neighbouring country, and the fourth required ratification by both governments.

An additional convention was added to the treaty on April 7, 1897, signed by Ignacio Mariscal and the new British minister in Mexico, Sir Henry Nevill Dering. This updated Article 3 to include a treaty establishing freedom for Mexican merchant ships to sail without restriction through the Boca Bacalar Chico and all British territorial waters in the Bay of Chetumal (military vessels were excluded).

The border, as agreed upon in the 1893 treaty, starts at Boca Bacalar Chico, a narrow channel that separates the southern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula from Ambergris Caye. It then runs through the Chetumal Bay and follows the Hondo River and its tributary, Blue Creek, until it reaches the meridian of Garbutt's Falls. From this point, it runs directly south to the border established between Mexico and Guatemala.

The finalisation of the border treaty in 1897 helped to establish clear boundaries between Mexico and Belize, putting an end to decades of uncertainty and conflict.

The border has two official crossings with international bridges

The Belize–Mexico border is 250 km (160 mi) long and predominantly follows the course of the Hondo River. The border has two official crossings with international bridges. The main crossing is located between Subteniente Lopez in Mexico and Santa Elena in Belize. The second crossing is between La Union in Mexico and Blue Creek Village in Belize.

The Subteniente Lopez International Bridge is the only land border crossing between Belize and Mexico. The closest towns to the bridge are Santa Elena in Belize and Subteniente Lopez in Mexico. However, the larger transportation hubs are Corozal in Belize and Chetumal in Mexico. A new bridge was opened to the public in 2013, located about 5 blocks west of the old bridge.

The Chac-Temal International Bridge is the second official crossing. It is located between La Union, Quintana Roo in Mexico and Blue Creek Village, Orange Walk in Belize.

The land border crossing with Mexico is at Chetumal City

The land border crossing between Mexico and Belize is located in the city of Chetumal, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The border crossing is a popular route for travellers going between Mexico and Belize, and there are a variety of transportation options available for crossing the border.

The border crossing is located between Subteniente Lopez in Mexico and Santa Elena in Belize, around 16km (10 miles) from Chetumal, the capital of the state of Quintana Roo. The border crossing is accessible by bus, taxi, shuttle, or ferry. Buses are the cheapest option, with tickets costing around $8-15 USD, but they can be confusing and time-consuming. Taxis and shuttles are faster and more comfortable but more expensive, with prices ranging from $150-200 USD. Ferries are also available from Corozal, Belize, to Chetumal, Mexico, for a similar price to the bus.

When crossing the border, it is important to have the correct documentation and be prepared for potential scams or requests for bribes. Upon exiting Mexico, travellers may be asked to show proof of payment of the tourism tax, which is often included in airfare for those who flew into the country. It is recommended to have a copy of the itemized receipt from the airline showing that the tax has been paid to avoid having to pay it again. Additionally, there may be requests for small "payments" or "gifts" to border officials to avoid problems with the crossing. These are typically around 200-300 Mexican pesos ($10-15 USD).

Overall, the land border crossing at Chetumal City is a popular and accessible route for travellers going between Mexico and Belize, offering a range of transportation options to suit different budgets and preferences.

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