The Tropic Threshold Of Belize: Exploring The Southernmost Latitude

Belize is a small Central American country located at 17°15' north of the equator and 88°45' west of the Prime Meridian. The southernmost point of Belize is near Chocon, on its southwestern border with Guatemala.

Belize's latitude and longitude

Belize is a small Central American country located on the Yucatán Peninsula, just south of Mexico and east of Guatemala. It has a long coastline along the Caribbean Sea and is situated on the narrow isthmus of land that connects North and South America.

The latitude and longitude of Belize are 17° 15' North and 88° 45' West, or 17.189877° North and 88.4977° West, when written in decimal form. This places Belize in the Northern Hemisphere, with its latitude falling between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer, resulting in a mostly tropical climate. The country's longitude of 88° 45' West places it in the UTC-6 time zone, which is one hour behind the standard time of Washington, DC.

Belize's total size is 22,966 square kilometres (8,867 square miles), with 386 kilometres (240 miles) of coastline along the Caribbean Sea. The country has a diverse landscape, ranging from flat wetlands and coastal plains in the north to the lower slopes of the Maya Mountain range in the south. The highest point in Belize is Doyle's Delight, with an altitude of 1,124 metres (3,688 feet).

Belize's southern tip shares a border with the Guatemalan department (state) of Izabal. The Sarstoon River defines the southern boundary of the country, while the Hondo River marks the northern boundary. The western border with Guatemala is an artificial line known as the "Adjacency Line," administered by the Organization of American States (OAS).

Belize's geographic coordinates

Belize is a small Central American country located on the Yucatán Peninsula. It is bordered by Mexico to the north-northwest, Guatemala to the south-southwest, and the Caribbean Sea to the east.

The geographic coordinates of Belize are 17° 15' North and 88° 45' West. In decimal degrees, this is 17.1899° N, 88.4977° W. The latitude of Belize falls between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer, resulting in a mostly tropical climate. However, it is important to note that the climatic conditions near the Caribbean Sea and the Guatemala mountains can vary.

Belize's southernmost point is near Chocon, along the southwestern border with Guatemala. The country's northernmost point is Subteniente Lopez, while its westernmost point is the border with Guatemala at the Sarstoon River, and its easternmost point is Lighthouse Reef.

Belize's total size is 22,966 square kilometres (8,867 square miles), with 386 kilometres of coastline along the Caribbean Sea. The country has a diverse landscape, with the visually striking Maya Mountains and associated basins and plateaus dominating the southern half of the country. The mountains rise to heights of about 1,100 metres, with Doyle's Delight in the Cockscomb Range as the highest point in Belize at 1,124 metres.

The northern lowlands and southern coastal plain make up the second main physiographic region of Belize. This region is drained by eighteen major rivers and many perennial streams. The coastline is flat and swampy, with many lagoons, especially in the northern and central parts of the country.

Belize's location in relation to Mexico and Guatemala

Belize is a small Central American country, located at 17°15' north of the equator and 88°45' west of the Prime Meridian. It is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. To the east, Belize has a long coastline on the Caribbean Sea.

Belize is bordered by the Mexican state of Quintana Roo to the north and shares a border with the Mexican town of Chetumal City. The southern tip of Belize shares a border with the Guatemalan department (state) of Izabal, and to the west of Belize is the Guatemalan state of El Peten. The Belize–Guatemala border is almost a straight line, 266 km (165 mi) long, close to the 89th meridian west.

Belize has a total land border length of 542 km, of which 272 km is shared with Mexico and 266 km with Guatemala. The country has a land area of 22,806 sq km (8,805 sq mi), and a population of 368,310, giving it the lowest population density in Central America.

The border between Belize and Guatemala has been disputed by Guatemala, which claims that the Wyke-Aycinena Treaty of 1859, which established the border, is void because Britain failed to comply with economic assistance provisions found in Article VII. However, in 1991, Guatemala officially recognised Belize's independence and diplomatic relations were established.

Belize's northernmost point

The northern region of Belize is known as the Northern Lowlands, which encompass the country's northernmost parts. This region is flat and characterised by a dense marshy landscape, as well as being home to some of the country's most productive agricultural lands. The northern coastal areas feature mangrove swamps, which give way to tropical pine savannas and hardwood forests.

The Northern Highway, which connects Belize City with Corozal and Mexico, is a modern road that offers a quick and efficient route through the region. However, dirt roads are still common in Northern Belize, and travelling off the beaten track can be an adventure.

Belize's lowest point

Belize is a small Central American country, located on the Yucatán Peninsula. It is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. To the east, Belize has a long coastline on the Caribbean Sea.

The northern coastal areas of Belize are dominated by mangrove swamps, which give way to tropical pine savannas and hardwood forests further inland. The country's interior is divided by two topographical features: the Maya Mountains and the northern lowlands. The mountains, which rise to around 1,100 metres, are sparsely inhabited and covered in shallow, erodible soils. The lowlands are drained by 18 major rivers and many perennial streams.

Belize's landscape is largely composed of limestone, with the notable exception of the Maya Mountains, which consist of an uplifted block of intrusive Paleozoic granite and sediments. The country's geology has been shaped by its location on the tectonically stable Yucatán Platform.

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