The Landform Legacy Of Belize

Belize, a small Central American country, boasts a diverse range of landforms that contribute to its thriving tourism industry. The country is divided into several geographical regions, each with its own unique characteristics. The northern lowlands, for example, are flat and marshy, while the coastal plains along the Caribbean Sea feature swampy savannas and mangrove-laced lagoons. In contrast, the southern interior is home to the majestic Maya Mountains, a range of heavily forested hills and rocky landscapes with steep slopes and fast-flowing rivers. Belize's most striking landform, however, lies off its coast: the Belize Barrier Reef System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second-largest coral reef system in the world, is a haven for beach-goers and divers alike.

Belize Barrier Reef System

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest coral reef system in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It is also the largest coral reef in the Northern and Western Hemispheres. The reef runs for 180-190 miles (300 km) along the entire coastline of Belize, and is a series of coral reefs that sit roughly 300 metres (980 ft) offshore in the north and 40 kilometres (25 mi) in the south.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a vital part of the country's fishing industry and is also its top tourist destination, attracting almost half of its 260,000 visitors. It is a hotspot for recreational activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, and fishing. The reef is home to a diverse range of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, eels, nurse sharks, goliath groupers, dolphins, manatees, and a large variety of colourful fish.

The Belize Barrier Reef is made up of three distinct Caribbean atolls: Turneffe Atoll, Glover's Reef, and Lighthouse Reef. Lighthouse Reef is the most easterly diving area in Belize and is home to the Great Blue Hole, made famous by Jacques Cousteau in 1970. The Blue Hole is one of the most popular reasons for tourists to visit the reef.

The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which includes seven marine reserves, 450 cayes, and three atolls, protects a large portion of the reef. In 1996, the reserve system was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its vulnerability and the importance of its natural habitats for the conservation of biological diversity.

Belize has implemented several protective measures to preserve the reef, including an oil drilling moratorium, development restrictions, and fishing reforms. In December 2010, Belize became the first country in the world to completely ban bottom trawling. Despite these measures, the reef remains under threat from oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Other threats include hurricanes and coral bleaching due to global warming and increasing ocean temperatures.

Northern lowlands

The northern lowlands of Belize encompass the northernmost parts of the country. The land in this region is flat and dominated by agricultural fields, small farming towns, and lowland rainforest. It is home to Belize's most productive agricultural lands, where sugarcane and citrus fruits are cultivated. The landscape is dense and marshy, with many lagoons, especially in the northern and central parts of the country. The Belize River, the country's longest river, winds its way through the northern lowlands and was a key artery for commerce and communication until the 20th century.

The northern lowlands are accessible and some of the least travelled parts of Belize. The region is characterised by farming villages with open fields and rainforests that are less dense than in other parts of the country. The two biggest settlements in the northern lowlands are Corozal and Orange Walk. The region is home to Belize's largest population of Mestizos, people of mixed Mayan and Spanish descent, and their influence on the language, food, and culture is prominent. There is also a large population of German-speaking Mennonites in the Orange Walk district, who maintain a traditional way of life.

The biggest attraction in the northern lowlands is the Lamanai Mayan ruins, the longest-occupied Mayan site in Belize. Lamanai served as home to up to 35,000 Maya from 500 B.C. until the beginning of the Spanish colonial period in the 17th century. The site is located in the middle of the jungle along the New River Lagoon, and the most common way to reach it is by boat from Orange Walk. The full-day tour offers excellent wildlife and bird-viewing opportunities, as well as a glimpse into the history of one of the country's most impressive Mayan cities.

The northern lowlands are also home to the town of Corozal, a pleasant seaside town at the very northern end of Belize, near the Mexican border. While there isn't much to do in Corozal, it is a clean, friendly, and well-maintained town. From here, visitors can arrange deep-sea fishing trips or travel to Ambergris Caye.

Southern coastal plain

Belize's landscape is divided into two main physiographic regions, with the southern coastal plain falling in the less visually striking region. This region is characterised by its flat and swampy coastline, with many lagoons, especially in the northern and central parts of the country. The terrain changes from mangrove swamp in the north to tropical pine savannah and hardwood forest.

The southern coastal plain is drained by eighteen major rivers and many perennial streams. The Belize River, also known as the Old River, is the largest and most historically important river in Belize. It served as the main artery of commerce and communication between the interior and the coast until the twentieth century. The river is navigable up to the Guatemalan border. Other historically important rivers include the Sibun River, which drains the northeastern edge of the Maya Mountains, and the New River, which flows through the northern sugar-growing areas before emptying into Chetumal Bay. Both of these river valleys possess fertile alluvial soils and have supported considerable cultivation and human settlement.

The southern coastal plain is vulnerable to natural hazards such as hurricanes and coastal flooding. The country's low-lying areas and flat coastline make it susceptible to the impacts of storms and rising sea levels. Belize has a history of devastating hurricanes, including an unnamed hurricane in 1931 that destroyed over two-thirds of the buildings in Belize City and caused more than 1,000 fatalities.

The southern coastal plain of Belize offers a blend of terrestrial and marine wonders. The country's coastline, adorned with cayes, reefs, and atolls, forms the Belize Barrier Reef System, contributing to the country's biodiversity and tourism industry. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-longest coral reef system globally, providing a cornerstone of marine biodiversity in the Northern Hemisphere.

Maya Mountains

The Maya Mountains are a mountain range located in Belize and eastern Guatemala in Central America. The range extends about 70 miles (115 km) northeastward from the Guatemalan border into central Belize. The mountains are named after the Maya people, who retreated into the mountains when the Spaniards arrived, leaving behind great centres such as Lubaantun on the mountains' southeastern periphery.

The Maya Mountains are the only source of igneous and metamorphic materials in Belize, and much of the range is protected, spanning seventeen parks, reserves, sanctuaries, or monuments in southern Belize and northern Guatemala. The mountains are a popular tourist destination, attracting outdoor adventure seekers with their abundant wildlife, native vegetation, and extensive cave systems. The tallest waterfall in Central America is also located in the Maya Mountains.

The range's highest peaks are Doyle's Delight, at 3,688 feet (1,124 m), and Victoria Peak, at 3,680 feet (1,120 m). Doyle's Delight, the country's tallest peak, was nameless until 1989. The mountain is hidden in the heart of the Maya Mountains, on the border of the Toledo and Cayo districts. The summit is a vast area, with vegetation and soil that changes daily compared to the ridge top. Victoria Peak, the second-highest peak, is located in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and has been classified as a Natural Monument since 1998.

The Maya Mountains are home to many plants and animals unique to Central America, including elusive wildlife such as jaguars, tapirs, and howler monkeys. Numerous bird species inhabit the forests, and reptiles and amphibians include iguanas, crocodiles, and green tree frogs. The mountains also feature important Mayan ruins, including the sites of Lubaantun, Nim Li Punit, Cahal Pech, and Chaa Creek.

Belize River

The Belize River, also known as the Old River, runs for 290 kilometres (180 miles) through the country of Belize. It rises in northeastern Guatemala as the Río Mopán and flows northeast past Benque Viejo, San Ignacio (El Cayo), and Roaring Creek, before reaching the Caribbean Sea at Belize City. The river valley is largely tropical rainforest and the river itself is navigable for small craft from Belize City up to the Guatemalan border.

The Belize River has played a significant role in the history of the region. During the pre-Columbian era, it served as a major trade route for the Maya Indians. In the 19th century, the river became associated with the logging industry, particularly for logwood (used for dye) and mahogany. Loggers encountered and clashed with the Maya and Spaniards during this time. The river also facilitated the transportation of lumber and chicle to market areas.

Today, the Belize River remains vital for the population's drinking water and other domestic uses. However, water quality has deteriorated due to sediment, nutrient loading, pesticides, and other toxins. The primary source of degradation is extensive deforestation in the upper reaches of the Mopan River and unsustainable agricultural practices.

The Belize River and its tributaries, including the Mopan River, Macal River, and Chaa Creek, are also notable for their Maya archaeological sites. These include Xunantunich, Chaa Creek, and Cahal Pech.

Frequently asked questions