The Colossal Corozal: Unveiling Belize's Largest District

Belize is divided into six districts: Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, and Toledo. Cayo is the largest district in Belize, at 5,338 km2. It is bordered by Orange Walk to the north, Belize to the northeast, Stann Creek to the southeast, Toledo to the south, and Guatemala to the west. Belize City, the largest city in Belize, is located within the Belize District, which is the heart of Creole culture.

Cayo District: largest in Belize, borders Orange Walk, Belize, Stann Creek, Toledo, Guatemala

Cayo is the largest district in Belize, covering 5,338 square kilometres. It is one of six districts in the country, the others being Belize, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, and Toledo.

Cayo is located in the west of Belize and shares borders with Orange Walk to the north, Belize to the northeast, Stann Creek to the southeast, Toledo to the south, and Guatemala to the west. The capital of Cayo is San Ignacio, situated on a tributary of the Belize River. Belize's capital, Belmopan, is also located in Cayo.

The Cayo district is the second most populous in Belize, with a population of 90,579 as of 2016. The district is divided into six political divisions: Belmopan, Cayo Central, Cayo North, Cayo North East, Cayo South, and Cayo West.

The Cayo district is known for its natural landmarks and tourist attractions, including the Belize Zoo and the Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. The area also boasts ancient ruins, such as the famous Xunantunich Maya site, which is featured on many cruise ship tours.

Belize City: largest city in Belize, population 61,461, former capital

Belize City is the largest city in Belize, with a population of 61,461 as of the 2010 census. It was once the capital of the former British Honduras, as Belize was then known. The city is situated at the mouth of the Haulover Creek, a distributary of the Belize River, which empties into the Caribbean Sea. Belize City is the country's principal port and financial and industrial hub.

Belize City was founded as "Belize Town" in 1638 by English lumber harvesters, who found the location ideal as a central post for shipping logwood and mahogany. Belize Town was built on the site of a small Maya settlement called Holzuz and became home to thousands of African slaves brought in by the English to work in the forestry industry. It was the coordination site for the 1798 Battle of St. George's Caye, in which the British defeated Spanish invaders. Belize Town remained the capital of British Honduras until the government was moved to the new capital of Belmopan in 1970.

Belize City has been struck by two hurricanes since 1900, the 1931 hurricane and Hurricane Hattie in 1961, which almost entirely destroyed the city. The city has also been damaged by fires, most recently in 1999 and 2004. Belize City is susceptible to flooding during the rainy season.

Belize City is divided into two main areas: Northside, bounded by Haulover Creek and ending in the Fort George area, and Southside, which extends to the city's outskirts and includes the port and downtown areas. Politically, the city is divided into ten constituencies.

Belize City has more educational institutions at every level than any other city in Belize. The city is also a cultural hub, with museums, an annual Street Art Festival, and cultural events such as Garifuna Settlement Day, Belize City Carnival, and Baron Bliss Day.

Belize City is served by the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, located in Ladyville to the northwest of the city, as well as the Belize City Municipal Airport, which is within the city itself.

Belize District: location, history, demographics, culture, attractions

Location

The Belize District is located on the central-eastern seaboard of Belize and has a population of around 90,000 people spread out over 1,624 square miles. The Belize River Valley is at the heart of Creole culture, with villages such as Burrell Boom, Isabella Bank, Rancho Dolores, and Lemonal. The district also includes the tourist islands of Ambergris Cay and Caye Caulker, as well as some of the country's oldest settlements, such as Flowers Bank, Freetown Sibun, Maskall, and Big Falls.

History

The Belize District was the first area settled by British colonisers, who used the area's extensive network of creeks and rivers for transporting logs. Belize City itself originated as a logging camp and export centre for mahogany in the 1600s. The city was founded as "Belize Town" in 1638 by English lumber harvesters, though it had previously been 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.

Demographics

Belize City is the largest city in Belize, with a population of 61,461 people according to the 2010 census. It is the country's principal port, commercial centre, and former capital, with about a quarter of the country's population living in the city. The Belize District has a diverse population, with people of Creole, Garifuna, Latino, Chinese, Lebanese, East Indian, Maya, and other descents.

Culture

Belize City's culture is considered similar to that of Caribbean capital cities such as St. George's, Grenada, or Georgetown, Guyana. The city is always busy during the daytime and has a bustling atmosphere. Notable cultural events include Garifuna Settlement Day (19 November), Belize City Carnival (September), and Baron Bliss Day (9 March).

Attractions

The Belize District offers a range of attractions for visitors, including:

• The Belize Zoo: Founded in 1983, the zoo is home to over 100 animals, each living in a lush jungle habitat. The zoo focuses on wildlife conservation and offers personal guided tours, slide shows, children's books, and a lecture series.
• Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary: A 1,070-acre reserve with ecosystems including pine and palm savanna, tropical forest, freshwater wetlands, and lagoons. The sanctuary is home to a diverse range of bird species, as well as jaguars, pumas, deer, crocodiles, and iguanas.
• Altun Ha: A well-known Maya ruin site located about an hour from Belize City. The site covers approximately 25 square miles, most of which is jungle, making it a great place for birdwatching and exploring jungle trails.
• Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary: A birdwatcher's paradise, established in 1984 and maintained by the Belize Audubon Society. The sanctuary is an island connected to the mainland by a causeway and features inland lagoons, swamps, and waterways. It is also home to a variety of wildlife, including black howler monkeys, coatimundi, iguanas, and crocodiles.
• St. John's Cathedral: The oldest Anglican Church in Central America and one of the oldest buildings in Belize, dating back to the early 1800s.
• The Museum of Belize: Showcases artefacts from the country's history, including a solid jade head weighing nine pounds and discovered at the Altun Ha Maya ruin site.

Orange Walk District: second-largest district, borders Mexico, population 49,466

The Orange Walk District is the second-largest district in Belize, with an area of 1,829 square miles (4,636 square km). It is located in the northwest of the country, north-northwest of the Belize District, and shares a border with Mexico to the north. The district is home to a diverse range of cultural and ethnic groups, including Maya mestizo descendants of Mexican refugees, Spanish and Yucatec Maya, Mennonites, Kriols, Chinese, Taiwanese, Indians, and other Central American groups. The district's capital, Orange Walk Town, is the fourth-largest town in Belize and has a population of about 13,400. The district as a whole has an estimated population of 45,419 as of the 2010 census, with 32,019 living in rural areas.

Agriculture is the main economic base of the Orange Walk District, with sugar cane being the primary crop. However, alternative crops such as potatoes, onions, and soy beans are slowly replacing sugar cane. The district is also known for its production of dairy products, citrus fruits, beef, and rum. In addition, the district has a growing tourism industry due to its rich archaeological sites and healthy populations of tropical wildlife. The Orange Walk District is home to several ancient Mayan sites, including Lamanai, Cuello, Noh Mul, and Chan Chich. Lamanai, located on the banks of the New River, is one of the most important Maya sites in Belize and is known for its large masks and evidence of religious sacrifice.

The Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, a large private nature reserve in the Yalbac Hills, is also located in the Orange Walk District. The district is home to two rivers, the Rio Hondo, which forms part of the border with Mexico, and the New River, which has its source in Belize's largest body of water, the New River Lagoon. The Orange Walk District offers a range of natural attractions for visitors, including the Rio Bravo Conservation Area, the Honey Camp Lagoon, and the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to a variety of bird life.

The district is politically divided into four constituencies, three of which are under the People's United Party (PUP) and one under the United Democratic Party (UDP). The district has a strong and productive economy, with a low poverty rate of 24.9% and a high quality of life. The main industries in the district include agriculture, tourism, and rum production, with the local Tower Hill Sugar Factory handling all of the country's sugar cane output.

Stann Creek District: second-smallest district, borders Belize, Cayo, Toledo, Caribbean Sea

Stann Creek District is the second-smallest district in Belize, with an area of 2,550 km2 (or 986 square miles) and a population of 39,865 (as of 2016). The district is located in the southeast region of Belize and is bordered by the Belize District to the north, Cayo to the west, Toledo to the south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east.

The capital of Stann Creek District is Dangriga, formerly known as "Stann Creek Town." The name "Stann" comes from the "stanns," or safe havens, used by colonialists travelling from the "old world" to the "new world." Dangriga is considered the cultural capital of Belize due to its rich Afro-Caribbean Garifuna history and traditions. The Garifuna people are direct descendants of a group of African slaves who escaped from two shipwrecked Spanish slave ships near St. Vincent in 1635. They have a unique blend of African traditions in music, dance, and religious ceremonies, as well as Native American farming, hunting, and fishing techniques. Their language is also a mix of French and Arawak influences.

Stann Creek District offers a diverse range of habitats and species, making it an attractive destination for nature enthusiasts. The district is home to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, where the South Stann Creek rises and Victoria Peak, the second-highest point in Belize, at 1,120 meters (3,670-3,675 feet) above sea level, is located. The district also features lowland broadleaf forests, mangrove/littoral forests, and lowland pine savannahs. Birdwatching is a popular activity, with 457 bird species reported in the district, including the Yellow-headed Parrot, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Crimson-collared Tanager, American Oystercatcher, and Barred Forest-Falcon.

In addition to its natural attractions, Stann Creek District also boasts cultural and historical sites. The port of Big Creek, the main port of Belize's banana industry, is located within the district. The peninsula and village of Placencia are popular tourist destinations, known for their resorts, guest houses, hotels, and white sandy beaches. Hopkins Village, a charming coastal settlement, offers a glimpse into traditional Belizean culture and is known for its Garifuna drumming lessons. The district is easily accessible via the Hummingbird Highway and the Thomas Vincent Ramos Highway, which connect to Belize City.

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