Belize's Geographical Grid: Unlocking The Country's Precise Location

Belize is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America, with a grid reference of 17°15′ N and 88°45′ W. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south, with a water boundary shared with Honduras to the southeast. Belize is the only Central American country with no Pacific coastline.

The country has a diverse society, composed of many cultures and languages, and is the only Central American country where English is the official language. Belize's abundance of terrestrial and marine plants and animals, as well as its diverse ecosystems, including extensive coral reefs, make it a key part of the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.

Belize's grid reference

Belize is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America, with a land border to the north with Mexico, specifically the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Belize also shares a land border to the west with Guatemala, specifically the Guatemalan department of El Petén. Belize's southern border is formed by the Sarstoon River, which separates it from Guatemala's Izabal department. The country also shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast.

Belize is shaped roughly like a rhombus, with a total land boundary length of 516 kilometres (321 mi). The country's northern and southern boundaries are defined by the undulating courses of two rivers: the Hondo and the Sarstoon. The western border does not follow any natural features and instead runs north-south through lowland forest and highland plateau. This area is officially known as the adjacency line between Belize and Guatemala.

Belize's rugged geography includes flat, swampy coastal plains in the north and the low mountain range of the Maya Mountains in the south. The country's highest point is Doyle's Delight, at 1,124 m (3,688 ft) above sea level.

Belize's geographical location

Belize is a country located on the northeastern coast of Central America, with a total land boundary length of 516 kilometres (321 mi). It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize also shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast. The country is situated on the Yucatán Peninsula, 17°15′ north of the equator and 88°45′ west of the Prime Meridian.

The land area of Belize extends about 280 kilometres (170 mi) north-south and 100 kilometres (62 mi) east-west, with a total area of 22,966 square kilometres (8,867 sq. mi). The country is characterised by diverse geographical features, including flat wetlands and coastal plains in the north, and the Maya Mountains in the south. The Belize Barrier Reef, the second-longest in the world, flanks much of the country's 386 kilometres (240 mi) of predominantly marshy coastline.

Belize's rugged geography, including its coastline and jungle, has made it an attractive gateway for drug smugglers. The country also boasts a rich variety of wildlife, with over 5,000 species of plants and hundreds of species of animals, including armadillos, snakes, and monkeys. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1990, is a nature reserve dedicated to protecting the forests, fauna, and watersheds of the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains.

Belize's location in Central America places it within close proximity to other countries in the region. From Belize, it is a one-day drive to Guatemala City or a half-hour boat ride to the Izabal Department in Guatemala, which features the tourist city of Puerto Barrios. Additionally, a two-hour boat ride from Punta Gorda in the Toledo district will take you to Puerto Cortez, Honduras. Commuter flights also connect Belize to several cities in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Belize's history

Belize, located on the northeast coast of Central America, has a rich and complex history that dates back thousands of years. Here is an overview of the country's history, from its early civilisations to its path towards independence.

Mayan Civilisation

The Maya civilisation flourished in the region of Belize between 1500 BC and 1000 AD, leaving behind impressive ruins such as Cahal Pech, Caracol, Lamanai, and Altun Ha. The Maya population began to decline before the arrival of Europeans, and they lived in politically decentralised societies.

European Arrival and Colonial Rule

In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors and missionaries made the first recorded European incursions into the region. The area was also attractive to British settlers due to the availability of logwood. British buccaneers and logwood cutters settled on the coast in the mid-17th century, leading to tensions with Spain, which considered the British as interlopers in their territory. Treaties signed in 1763 and 1783 granted British subjects the right to exploit logwood and mahogany within specified territories, but Spain retained sovereignty over the area.

Slavery and Resistance

The British settlers began importing enslaved Africans in the early 18th century to work in the timber industry. There were four recorded revolts by enslaved people in Belize, and many escaped due to the terrain and freedom offered beyond the frontiers. Treaties with Spain prohibited the development of plantations in Belize, but after emancipation in 1838, formerly enslaved people remained tied to logging operations through a system of wage advances and company stores that induced indebtedness and dependency.

Independence Movements

In the late 18th century, an oligarchy of wealthy settlers controlled the political economy of the British settlement. However, by the late 19th century, the European minority's influence declined as the economy stagnated. The worldwide Great Depression in the 1930s further impacted the colony's economy, and a series of strikes and demonstrations by labourers and the unemployed sparked demands for democratisation.

The People's United Party (PUP), formed in 1950, led the independence movement and pushed for representative and responsible government. Despite opposition and attempts to discredit the party, the PUP gained a majority of the vote in the 1954 elections, which were held under universal literate adult suffrage.

Road to Independence

Belize faced two major obstacles on its path to independence: British reluctance to grant self-governance, and Guatemala's long-standing claim to the territory. In the 1970s, Belize took its case for self-determination to international organisations and gained support from other Latin American countries. Finally, on September 21, 1981, Belize achieved independence, retaining its historical link with the United Kingdom through membership in the Commonwealth. However, the territorial dispute with Guatemala remained unresolved.

Belize's population

Belize has a population of 416,964 as of July 22, 2024, according to the latest data from the United Nations. The population was estimated to be 410,825 in 2023, and 397,483 in 2022. Belize is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America, with a population density of 18 people per square kilometre.

The population is made up of several ethnic groups, including Mestizo (52.9%), Creole (25.9%), Maya (11.3%), Garifuna (6.1%), East Indian (3.9%), Mennonite (3.6%), White (1.2%), Asian (1%), and other groups (1.2%). Belize has a high emigration rate, with about 16% of Belizeans living abroad, particularly in the United States.

Belize's capital is Belmopan, and its largest city is Belize City. Belize is divided into six districts: Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, and Toledo. The population is distributed across these districts, with approximately 25-30% living in Belize City and over half of the population residing in rural areas.

Belize has a small, developing economy primarily based on agriculture, agro-based industries, and tourism. The country faces challenges such as high foreign debt, unemployment, and involvement in the drug trade. However, tourism has become the mainstay of the economy, and the country is working to address these issues and improve its social and economic development.

Belize's economy

Belize has a developing free-market economy. It is a small, private enterprise economy that is based primarily on agriculture, tourism, and services. The country's economy is highly susceptible to external market changes and vulnerable to world commodity price fluctuations.

Belize's primary exports are citrus fruits, sugar, bananas, and seafood. The country's secondary exports include clothing, rum, beer, soft drinks, and cigarettes. The country's economy is heavily reliant on foreign trade, with the United States as its number one trading partner. In 2000, the US accounted for 48.5% of Belize's total exports and provided 49.7% of its imports.

Tourism is a major source of foreign exchange for Belize and has been designated as the country's second development priority after agriculture. The country's natural attractions, including its extensive natural capital along the coast, diverse ecology, and Mayan ruins, make it a popular tourist destination.

Belize's economic prospects are closely tied to maintaining environmental preservation and building economic resilience. The country has implemented initiatives to promote sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and climate resilience.

The country's small domestic market, high-cost labour and energy, and lack of infrastructure investments are constraints on its economic growth. However, Belize has taken steps to improve tax collection and address spending to stabilise its economy.

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