Belize's Coastal Conundrum: Unraveling The Windward Mystery

Belize is a small Central American country nestled on the northeastern coast, boasting a diverse landscape of flat wetlands, coastal plains, and the majestic Maya Mountains. With a total size of 22,966 square kilometres, it shares borders with Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. Its coastline stretches 386 kilometres along the Caribbean Sea, featuring the Belize Barrier Reef, the longest in the Western Hemisphere.

The Windward Islands, on the other hand, are a group of southern islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying south of the Leeward Islands. They are characterised by prevailing trade winds blowing from east to west. Sailing vessels departing from Africa towards the New World would first encounter these Windward Islands, including Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Therefore, while Belize is a coastal country in Central America, it is not part of the Windward Islands, which are located in a different region and have distinct geographical characteristics.

Belize's coastline is on the Caribbean Sea

Belize is a small Central American country nestled on the northeastern coast of the continent. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. With a coastline that stretches 386 kilometres, Belize boasts the second-longest barrier reef in the world, known as the Belize Barrier Reef. This reef flanks much of its predominantly marshy coastline and is a haven for divers and snorkelers.

Belize's territory includes numerous coral reefs, cays, and islands, such as Ambergris Caye, Lighthouse Reef, Glover's Reef, and the Turneffe Islands. The Belize Barrier Reef is approximately 322 kilometres long and is the longest in the Western Hemisphere. It is second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef globally. The reef is not just a natural wonder but also vital to Belize's fishing industry and tourism, attracting almost half of its visitors.

The coastline of Belize offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. The country's largest river, the Belize River, winds along the northern edge of the Maya Mountains, serving as a crucial waterway for commerce and communication for centuries. The river is navigable up to the Guatemalan border and played a significant role in the country's historical geography.

Belize's landscape is divided into two main regions by topographical features. The southern half is dominated by the visually striking Maya Mountains and their associated basins and plateaus, while the northern lowlands and southern coastal plain characterise the second region. The mountains rise to heights of about 1,100 meters, with Doyle's Delight, in the Cockscomb Range, reaching 1,124 meters as the country's highest point.

The climate in Belize is tropical, with a rainy season from June to November and a dry season from January to May. The country experiences natural hazards such as hurricanes and coastal flooding, particularly in the south. The Belize Barrier Reef itself is vulnerable to oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing, posing a threat to this delicate ecosystem.

Belize's coastline and marine territories are of significant ecological importance, contributing to its recognition as a key part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. The country's terrestrial and marine biodiversity, including its extensive coral reefs, place it at the forefront of global efforts to preserve and protect natural habitats.

The country has a tropical climate

Belize has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season runs from mid-May to November in the south and from mid-June to November in the north. The dry season is from February to April, with a transitional period from November to February that sees cooler temperatures and limited rainfall. The country's climate is heavily influenced by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). During the wet season, Belize typically receives high levels of rainfall, particularly in the southern region.

The mean annual temperature in Belize ranges from 23°C to 27°C, with coastal areas generally experiencing hotter temperatures than the interior. The temperature variation throughout the year is relatively small, with a difference of about 4°C between the coolest and hottest parts of the year. The daily temperature range is more significant, with fluctuations of around 10°C between the hottest and coolest parts of the day.

In the uplands, such as the Mountain Pine Ridge and the Maya Mountains, temperatures decrease by about 3°C for every 1000-foot increase in altitude, providing a more comfortable climate. The seasons in Belize are marked more by differences in humidity and rainfall than in temperature. The average rainfall varies considerably across the country, from 1,350 millimetres in the north and west to over 4,500 millimetres in the extreme south.

Belize's location in the Caribbean also makes it prone to hurricanes, which have played a significant role in the country's history. The country lies in the direct path of the majority of Atlantic storms, and hurricanes have caused devastating impacts, such as the destruction of infrastructure and loss of life.

Belize is the only Central American country without a Pacific coastline

Belize is a small Central American country located on the northeastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. With a population of around 397,483 people (as of 2022), it is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages, including English, Spanish, Mayan, German dialects, and Garifuna.

One unique aspect of Belize is that it is the only Central American country without a coastline on the Pacific Ocean. Instead, Belize boasts a long coastline along the Caribbean Sea, measuring approximately 386 kilometres (240 miles) and featuring a mix of flat, swampy coastal plains and lush mangrove swamps. This coastline is flanked by the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world, which extends for about 320 kilometres (200 miles). The reef is home to a diverse range of marine life and is a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkelling.

In addition to its Caribbean coastline, Belize also has hundreds of offshore islands, locally known as "cayes" (pronounced "keys"). These islands, along with the coral reefs and atolls, contribute to the country's diverse landscape, which also includes misty mountains, waterfalls, rivers, savannahs, and jungles. The country's highest point is Doyle's Delight, reaching 1,124 metres (3,688 feet) above sea level.

Belize has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The rainy season typically lasts from June to November, while the dry season spans from January to May. The country also experiences hurricanes, mainly during the late Atlantic hurricane season from September to December, which have had devastating impacts on Belizean history.

Belize's geography and natural resources have played a significant role in its history and economy. The Belize River, the country's largest river, was a vital artery for commerce and communication until the 20th century. Today, Belize's economy relies primarily on agriculture, agro-based industries, and tourism, with sugar remaining the chief crop. The country also has potential for renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric power.

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-longest in the world

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. To the southeast, it shares a water boundary with Honduras. The Belize Barrier Reef is a series of coral reefs that straddle the coast of Belize. It is roughly 300 metres (980 ft) offshore in the north and 40 kilometres (25 mi) in the south within the country's limits.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a 300-kilometre-long (190 mi) section of the 900-kilometre-long (560 mi) Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is continuous from Cancún on the northeastern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula through the Riviera Maya and down to Honduras. This makes it the second-largest coral reef system in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The Belize Barrier Reef is, therefore, the second-longest in the world.

The Belize Barrier Reef is Belize's top tourist destination, attracting almost half of its 260,000 visitors. It is also vital to the country's fishing industry. The reef is home to a large diversity of plants and animals, including 70 hard coral species, 36 soft coral species, and hundreds of invertebrate species.

In 1842, Charles Darwin described the Belize Barrier Reef as "the most remarkable reef in the West Indies". In 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which includes seven protected areas, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The reserve system covers an area of 960 square kilometres (370 sq mi) and includes Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and several cayes such as Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Tobacco Caye.

Despite protective measures, the reef remains under threat from oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Other threats include hurricanes, global warming, and coral bleaching due to increasing ocean temperatures. Scientists claim that over 40% of Belize's coral reef has been damaged since 1998.

Belize is bordered by Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras

Belize is bordered by Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. It is a country on the north-eastern coast of Central America. To the north, Belize shares a land and sea border with Mexico, specifically the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Belize's western border is shared with Guatemala, specifically the Guatemalan department of Petén. To the south, Belize shares a water boundary with Honduras. Belize's eastern border is formed by the Caribbean Sea.

Belize's total land boundary length is 516 kilometres (321 miles). The country's northern and southern boundaries are defined by the courses of two rivers: the Hondo and the Sarstoon. The western border, meanwhile, is an almost straight line close to the 89th meridian west, running north-south through lowland forest and highland plateau.

The border between Belize and Guatemala has been disputed. Guatemala has claimed sovereignty over Belize, in whole or in part, since the fall of the Spanish Empire. This dispute has been quieter since Belize's independence in 1981, although Guatemala recognised Belize's independence in the early 1990s. In 1999, however, Guatemala shifted its stance, claiming to have inherited Spain's sovereign rights over Belize.

The Belize–Guatemala border is approximately 266 kilometres (165 miles) long. The 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.

The Belize–Guatemala border has one main highway crossing at Benque Viejo del Carmen in Belize and Melchor de Mencos in Guatemala.

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