Belize: A Tropical Paradise

Belize is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by 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 Pacific coastline. Formerly known as British Honduras, it was the last British colony on the American mainland and achieved independence in 1981.

Belize is a small and diverse nation with a population of around 400,000 people. It is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America. The country is considered both a Central American and Caribbean nation due to its history and cultural ties to both regions.

Belize has a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages. The official language is English, making it the only English-speaking country in Central America. However, Belizean Creole is the most widely spoken dialect, and many Belizeans are also Spanish-speaking. Other languages spoken include Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna.

Belize is known for its extreme biodiversity and distinctive ecosystems. It has a variety of terrains, including a swampy coastal plain, hills, low mountains, and the largest cave system in Central America. It is home to many species of flora and fauna, including the black orchid, the mahogany tree, the toucan, and tapirs.

Belize has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. The average yearly temperature is 84°F (29°C), with coastal sea breezes and rainforests keeping the country cool even in the hottest months. The dry season is between February and May, while the wet season runs from June to December, with frequent rainfall and occasional storms.

Belize has a small, private enterprise-based economy primarily focused on agriculture, agro-based industries, and tourism. The country has a problem with violent crime, largely drug-related, and narcotics trafficking to the US. However, it is also known for its friendly and welcoming people, making it a popular tourist destination.

Geography and Climate

Belize is a small Central American nation located on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America, on the Yucatán Peninsula. It is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. To the east, it is bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

The country covers a total area of 22,966 square kilometres (8,867 square miles), with a land area of 22,806 square kilometres (8,805 square miles) and a water area of 160 square kilometres (62 square miles). It is about 280 kilometres (170 miles) from north to south and 100 kilometres (62 miles) from east to west, with a land boundary length of 516 kilometres (321 miles).

Belize can be divided into two main physiographic regions. The first is distinguished by the Maya Mountains and the associated basins and plateaus that dominate the southern half of the country. The mountains rise to heights of about 1,100 metres, with the highest point being Doyle's Delight (1,124 metres) in the Cockscomb Range, a spur of the Maya Mountains in Western Belize. These heavily forested highlands are very sparsely inhabited. The Maya Mountains are also an important source of timber and other forest products.

The second region comprises the northern lowlands, along with the southern coastal plain. The north of Belize consists mostly of flat wetlands and coastal plains, with dense marshy landscapes and mangrove swamps that change into tropical pine savannah and hardwood forest. The northern lowlands are home to Belize's most productive agricultural lands, primarily used for sugarcane and citrus fruit cultivation. The coastline is flat and swampy, with many lagoons, especially in the northern and central parts of the country.

The Belize River is the country's longest river, stretching for about 180 miles (290 kilometres) and serving as a vital water source and historical transportation route. Other significant rivers include the Hondo River, forming the northern border with Mexico, and the Sarstoon River, marking the southern boundary with Guatemala.

Belize has a tropical or subtropical climate with pronounced wet and dry seasons. The rainy season lasts from June to November, while the dry season runs from January to May. The mean temperature in Belize City is approximately 74 °F (23 °C) in December and 84 °F (29 °C) in July. The average temperatures in the coastal regions range from 24 °C in January to 27 °C in July, with slightly higher temperatures inland. The southern highland plateaus, such as the Mountain Pine Ridge, experience cooler temperatures year-round.

The country experiences significant variations in rainfall, with average rainfall ranging from 1,350 millimetres in the north and west to over 4,500 millimetres in the extreme south. The dry season is shorter in the south, typically lasting only from February to April. Belize is susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms during the rainy season, with a history of devastating hurricanes in 1931, 1955, 1961, and 1978.

History

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, was the last British colony on the American mainland. It is a small and diverse nation located on the northeast coast of Central America, with a history similar to that of English-speaking Caribbean nations. Its institutions and official language reflect its history as a British colony, but its culture is more typical of Central American countries. Belize's population is ethnically diverse and includes a large proportion of immigrants.

Mayan Civilisation

The Maya civilisation spread into the area of Belize between 1500 BC and AD 300 and flourished until about 1200. Several Mayan ruin sites, including Cahal Pech, Caracol, Lamanai, Lubaantun, Altun Ha, and Xunantunich, reflect the advanced civilisation and dense population of that period. The Maya population began to decline long before the Europeans arrived, and the remaining Maya lived in politically decentralised societies.

European Exploration and Settlement

European contact began in 1502-04 when Christopher Columbus sailed along the Gulf of Honduras. The first recorded European incursions in the region were made by Spanish conquistadors and missionaries in the 16th century. The Spanish tried to convert the Maya to Christianity, but with little success.

In the mid-17th century, British buccaneers and woodcutters began to settle around the Belize River. Spain regarded the British as interlopers in their territory and tried to remove them by force in 1798 but failed. By treaties signed in 1763 and 1783, Spain granted British subjects the privilege of exploiting logwood and mahogany, though only within specified territories.

Guatemalan Territorial Claims

Guatemala challenged the British occupation on the grounds that it had inherited Spanish interests in the area. In 1859, Britain and Guatemala signed a treaty that defined the border with Belize, but the dispute persisted into the 20th and 21st centuries.

British Honduras

In 1862, Belize was formally declared a British crown colony and named British Honduras. It was ruled by a governor subordinate to the governor of Jamaica. In 1884, British Honduras acquired a separate colonial administration under an appointed governor.

Slavery and Emancipation

The British settlers, who called themselves Baymen, began importing enslaved Africans in the early 18th century to cut logwood and mahogany. There were four revolts by enslaved people in Belize, and many escaped due to the terrain and freedom offered over the frontiers.

Slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1833, but formerly enslaved Africans remained tied to the logging operations through a system of wage advances and company stores that induced indebtedness and dependency.

Independence

Belize evolved through several stages of decolonisation, from universal adult suffrage in 1954 to a new constitution and internal self-government in 1964. In 1973, the country's name was changed from British Honduras to Belize. Belize achieved independence on 21 September 1981, but Guatemala refused to recognise it due to a longstanding territorial dispute.

Belize has retained its historical link with the United Kingdom through membership in the Commonwealth. It is the only Central American country where English is the official language.

Language and Culture

Belize is a diverse country with a rich cultural heritage and a variety of languages. While English is the official language, Belizean Creole is the most widely spoken dialect, and over half the population is multilingual.

Language

Belize is the only Central American country with English as the official language. This is a result of its history as a British colony. However, Belizean Creole is the most widely spoken dialect, with around 45% of Belizeans speaking it. Creole was historically spoken by enslaved Africans and became an integral part of the country's identity. It is derived mainly from English, with Native American and various West African and Bantu languages also influencing it.

Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language, followed by Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna. "Kitchen Spanish", an intermediate form of Spanish mixed with Belizean Creole, is spoken in the northern districts bordering Mexico and Guatemala.

Belize is also home to three Mayan languages: Q'eqchi', Mopan, and Yucatec Maya. Approximately 16,100 people speak Garifuna, an Arawakan-based language with influences from Carib languages and English.

In addition, there are several Mennonite colonies and villages where German is spoken. Plautdietsch is the most commonly spoken German dialect, while a minority speaks Pennsylvania Dutch.

Culture

Belize has a diverse society with many cultures and languages. The country's small population is made up of a mix of ethnic groups, including Creoles, Mestizos, Garinagu, Maya, Caucasians, and East Indians, among others. Despite its small size, Belize is a melting pot of cultures, with its different ethnic groups contributing to its food, music, folklore, fashion, and arts.

The Maya civilisation flourished in Belize and the surrounding region between 1500 BC and AD 300 and left a lasting impact on the country's culture. Belize was also influenced by British colonisation, with the country gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1981.

Belizean culture is known for its September Celebrations, which include Independence Day and St. George's Caye Day, as well as Carnival. The country's cuisine is an amalgamation of the various ethnicities that make up its population, including Mayan, British, African, and Indian influences.

Belize is a largely Christian country, with Roman Catholicism being the most practised religion. However, there are also significant Protestant and Greek Orthodox communities, as well as smaller groups such as Baháʼís, Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists.

Politics

Belize is a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy. It is a constitutional monarchy and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The country's politics are dominated by two parties: the centre-left People's United Party (PUP) and the centre-right United Democratic Party (UDP).

The king of Belize, Charles III, is the head of state. He is represented in the country by a governor-general, Froyla Tzalam, who acts on the advice of the prime minister and the cabinet. The governor-general appoints the prime minister, who is the head of government. The current prime minister is Johnny Briceno, who took office on 12 November 2020. The prime minister appoints the cabinet, which is the primary executive organ of government. Cabinet ministers are members of the majority political party in Parliament and usually hold elected seats in the National Assembly. They can also be drawn from the Senate.

The National Assembly of Belize is a bicameral body, consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate. The 31 members of the House of Representatives are directly elected to a maximum five-year term of office. The Senate has 12 seats, and its senators are appointed by the governor-general. The ruling party, the opposition, and several civil associations select the senators.

Belize has a multi-party system, and political parties can organise freely. However, the effects of the country's "first-past-the-post" electoral system have entrenched the two largest parties. While a number of smaller parties have competed, only the PUP and UDP have won seats in Parliament.

Belize's government is based on the British parliamentary system. The country's 1981 constitution provides for a bicameral National Assembly composed of an elected House of Representatives and an appointed Senate. The governor-general, a Belizean national who represents the British crown, nominally appoints the prime minister and the opposition leader.

Belize gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981, and its constitution is the supreme law of the country. The legal system is modelled on English common law. A chief justice heads the Supreme Court, but the Court of Appeal is the country's highest court. Both are independent of the national government.

Belize is divided into six districts: Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek, and Toledo. Local government consists of the Belize City Council and town boards with authority over most municipal affairs. Most villages have councils, and some Mayan villages have an alcalde (a traditional community-elected leader) with limited powers. The Mennonite community administers its own form of local government.

Economy

Belize has a small, developing, free-market economy that is primarily based on agriculture, tourism, and services. In 2022, the country's GDP was US$2.95 billion, with a per capita GDP of US$6049.

Belize's economy is heavily reliant on foreign trade, particularly with the United States, which is its largest trading partner and the largest exporter to the country. In 2022, the US accounted for 42% of Belize's total imports, and was the second-largest export destination for Belize, receiving 20% of exports. Other major trading partners include the UK, China, Mexico, the European Union, and Central American countries.

Belize's primary exports are agricultural products, including citrus fruits, sugar, bananas, and seafood. The country also exports apparel and manufactures some products, including food, fertilisers, and textiles. However, the manufacturing industry has been in decline, with exports falling to just 7% of total exports in 2022.

Tourism is a vital source of foreign exchange for Belize and is the country's most important economic sector. International tourism accounts for approximately 40% of the country's economy, and the industry saw a strong recovery in 2022 after a COVID-related decline, with revenues surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

Belize faces several economic challenges, including a growing trade deficit, high public debt, and a fragile financial system with high lending rates. The country is also vulnerable to external shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and environmental disasters such as droughts and hurricanes.

Belize's government is working to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and diversify the economy. The country offers various investment incentives and has a stable currency, with the Belize dollar pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 2:1. However, challenges to investment include a small population, high costs of doing business, bureaucratic delays, insufficient infrastructure, and corruption.

Belize's economic prospects are closely tied to maintaining environmental preservation and building resilience against climate change. The country's diverse ecology, including the largest coral reef in the Americas and extensive mangrove ecosystems, plays a crucial role in protecting the coastline from adverse climate events.

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