The Bay Of Amatique: A Tropical Paradise East Of Belize

Belize is a country on the north-eastern coast of Central America, south 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. The name 'Belize' is traditionally believed to have derived from the Spanish pronunciation of the last name of Peter Wallace, a Scottish buccaneer who may have begun a settlement at the mouth of the Belize River around 1638. It is also possible that the name evolved from the Mayan word 'belix', meaning 'muddy water', or 'belikin', meaning 'land facing the sea'.

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east

Belize is a small country with a population of approximately 397,483 (2022) to 410,990 (2022 census). It has an area of 22,960 to 22,970 square kilometres (8,865 to 8,867 sq mi), which is slightly larger than El Salvador, Israel, New Jersey, or Wales. The country's landscape is diverse, with misty mountains, enormous waterfalls, pristine rivers, savannahs, and jungles. The Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world, flanks its coastline.

Belize has a rich history and culture. It was previously known as British Honduras and gained independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981. The country has a diverse society with various cultures and languages. English is the official language, but other commonly spoken languages include Spanish, Belizean Creole, Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna.

Belize's northern region consists mostly of flat, swampy coastal plains, while the south features the Maya Mountains. The country's capital, Belmopan, is located in this southern region, while its largest city, Belize City, is in the north.

Belize is the only Central American country where English is the official language

Belize is the only country in Central America with English as the official language. This is a result of British colonisation in the region, with the first British settlement being established in 1638. Belize was known as British Honduras until 1973 and became a British colony in 1840, achieving independence in 1981.

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. It is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America, with a population of around 400,000 people. The country has a diverse society, with many different cultures and languages. While English is the official language, Belizean Creole is the most widely spoken dialect, and over half the population is multilingual. Other languages spoken in Belize include Spanish, Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna.

Belize has a rich history, with the Maya civilisation flourishing in the region from 1500 BC until around 1200. The earliest known record of the name "Belize" comes from the journal of a Dominican priest, Fray José Delgado, dating to 1677. The country has a varied geography, with mountains, swamps, and tropical jungle. It is known for its biodiversity and ecosystems, including extensive coral reefs.

Belize is a popular tourist destination, with its warm climate, diverse nature, and cultural attractions. The Belizean people are known for their hospitality and the country has a reputation as one of the world's friendliest tourist destinations.

Belize's abundance of terrestrial and marine plants and animals gives it a key place in the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor

Belize is a country on the north-eastern coast of Central America, with a long coastline on the Caribbean Sea. It is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south, and shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast. The country has a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages.

Belize has an abundance of terrestrial and marine plants and animals, as well as a diverse range of ecosystems, including extensive coral reefs. This biodiversity gives Belize a key place in the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC).

The MBC is a region that consists of Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and some southern states of Mexico. It acts as a natural land bridge connecting South and North America, which is important for the migration of species. Mesoamerica is considered a biodiversity hotspot, containing between 7 and 10% of the world's known species. The area is home to a wide variety of unique habitat types, including tropical dry broadleaf forests, tropical wet broadleaf forests, xeric shrublands, and tropical coniferous forests.

The MBC was originally proposed in the 1990s to facilitate animal movements along the Americas without interfering with human development and land use, while promoting ecological sustainability. It is made up of four zones: Core Zones, Buffer Zones, Corridor Zones, and Multiple-Use Zones, each with varying levels of human activity. Core Zones are protected areas that aim to promote and sustain biodiversity, while Buffer Zones are wild areas surrounding the Core Zones. Corridor Zones are pathways that link water and land passages, allowing the movement of plants and animals. Finally, Multiple-Use Zones separate wild and protected land from areas used for forestry, agriculture, and direct human impacts.

Belize plays a crucial role in the MBC due to its rich biodiversity and diverse ecosystems. With its abundance of terrestrial and marine life, Belize contributes significantly to the region's status as a biodiversity hotspot. The country's commitment to conservation and sustainable development further enhances its importance in the MBC.

Belize's natural wealth and its position in the MBC highlight its significance in global conservation efforts. By protecting and sustainably managing its terrestrial and marine resources, Belize not only contributes to the region's ecological health but also ensures the long-term well-being of its population. The country's efforts in conservation and sustainable development make it a key player in the MBC and a global leader in environmental stewardship.

Belize is the only mainland Central American country which is a Commonwealth realm, with King Charles III as its monarch and head of state

Belize is a Central American country on the Caribbean Sea, with a long coastline on the Caribbean Sea to its east. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast. Belize is the only mainland Central American country that is a Commonwealth realm, with King Charles III as its monarch and head of state, represented by a governor-general.

Belize has a rich history, with the Maya civilisation spreading into the area between 1500 BC and AD 300, flourishing until about 1200. European contact began when Christopher Columbus sailed along the Gulf of Honduras between 1502 and 1504, and European exploration was commenced by English settlers in 1638. Belize was disputed between Spain and Britain until the latter defeated the Spanish in the Battle of St. George's Caye in 1798. It became a British colony in 1840 and a Crown colony in 1862. Belize finally achieved independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1981.

Belize has a diverse society, with many different cultures and languages. It is the only Central American country where English is the official language, although Belizean Creole is the most widely spoken dialect. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language, followed by Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna. The population of Belize is small, with around 397,483 people in 2022, and it is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America. Belize's capital is Belmopan, and its largest city is Belize City.

Belize has a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with its legal system modelled on the common law of England. The head of state is King Charles III, who lives in the United Kingdom and is represented in Belize by the governor-general. The bicameral National Assembly of Belize consists of a House of Representatives and a Senate. Executive authority is exercised by the cabinet, which advises the governor-general and is led by the prime minister, who is the head of government.

Belize is a full participating member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the Central American Integration System, the Caribbean Community, and many other international organisations. It is also an original member of the World Trade Organization. Belize's economy is mostly private enterprise, based on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction becoming increasingly important.

Belize's population is around 465,000 people, making it the least populated country in Central America

Belize is a small country with a population of around 465,000 people. It is the least populated country in Central America and has a diverse society made up of many different cultures and languages.

Belize is located on the northeastern coast of Central America, with Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It is the only Central American country with no coastline on the Pacific Ocean. The country has a diverse landscape, from misty mountains and enormous waterfalls to pristine rivers and savannahs. It is also home to hundreds of offshore islands, known as "cayes," along its Caribbean coastline.

Belize has a rich history, with the Maya civilization flourishing in the region until about 1200. European contact began in the early 16th century, and the country became a British colony in 1840. Belize gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1981 and is now a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a diverse population.

The country's population is made up of various ethnic groups, including Mestizos, Creoles, Maya, Garifuna, East Indians, Mennonites, Caucasians, and others. Belize has a high level of multilingualism, with over half of its population speaking more than one language. English is the official language, but Belizean Creole, Spanish, Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna are also widely spoken.

Belize's small population is spread across six districts, with the former capital, Belize City, being home to approximately 25-30% of the population. The current capital, Belmopan, was established after Belize City was ravaged by a hurricane in 1961. Belize's population is largely rural, with over half of its residents living outside of urban areas.

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