Belize's Natural Landform Wonders

Belize is a small Central American country with a diverse landscape, from heavily forested plains to the Maya Mountains. The Belize Barrier Reef System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the country's most striking landform, offering a haven for beach lovers and divers alike. The reef is the second-largest in the world and is home to a plethora of marine life, including what is likely the world's largest manatee population. Inland, dense rainforest, mountains, and a vast cave system await exploration. The country's network of rivers, including the Belize River, the Hondo River, and the Sarstoon River, have played a significant role in its history, serving as vital transportation routes and sources of irrigation for agricultural lands.

Belize Barrier Reef System

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest coral reef system in the world, stretching about 190 miles (300 km) along the entire coastline of Belize. It is also the largest coral reef in the Northern and Western Hemispheres. The Belize Barrier Reef is a series of coral reefs that run parallel to the coast of Belize, roughly 300 metres (980 ft) offshore in the north and 40 kilometres (25 mi) in the south within the country's limits. It is a section of the 900-kilometre (560 mi) Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is continuous from Cancún on the north-eastern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula through the Riviera Maya and down to Honduras.

The Belize Barrier Reef is made up of three distinct Caribbean atolls: Turneffe Atoll, Glover's Reef, and Lighthouse Reef. Lighthouse Reef is the most easterly diving area in Belize and is home to the Great Blue Hole, made famous by Jacques Cousteau in 1970. Turneffe Atoll lies directly to the east of Belize City and is the nearest of the atolls to that city. The Belize Barrier Reef is also home to a large variety of plants and animals, including 70 hard coral species, 36 soft coral species, and hundreds of invertebrate species.

The Belize Barrier Reef is Belize's top tourist destination, attracting almost half of its 260,000 visitors. It is a hotspot for recreational activities such as snorkelling, diving, fishing, and sailing. It is also vital to the country's fishing industry, providing a major source of seafood, especially lobster and conch, much of which is exported. The reef also protects the coastline from the damaging effects of wave action, tropical storms, and hurricanes.

A large portion of the reef is protected by the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which includes seven marine reserves, 450 cayes, and three atolls. It totals 960 square kilometres (370 sq mi) in area, including the Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and more. In 1996, the reserve system was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its vulnerability and the importance of its natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity.

Despite protective measures, the reef remains under threat from oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Other threats include hurricanes, global warming, and the resulting increase in ocean temperatures, which cause coral bleaching.

Mountain ranges, including the Maya Mountains

Belize is home to the Maya Mountains, a mountain range located in west-central Belize and extending into eastern Guatemala. The range is thought to be named after the Maya people, who built great centres in the region and retreated into the mountains as refuge from Spanish conquerors. The Maya Mountains were known as the Cockscomb or Coxcomb Mountains until at least the mid-20th century.

The Maya Mountains stretch across the bottom half of Belize, from around San Ignacio near the Guatemalan border. The range includes the Cockscomb Range, a spur of the mountains that extends seaward and includes Victoria Peak, a national monument of Belize. The highest peaks in the Maya Mountains are Doyle's Delight, at 3,688 feet (1,124 metres), and Victoria Peak, at 3,680 feet (1,120-1,122 metres).

The mountains are characterised by their uniform elevation and abrupt drop to the coastal plain to the east and north, while sloping more gently to the west, becoming the Vaca Plateau in eastern Guatemala. Nine streams flow from the mountains into the Caribbean Sea, including tributaries of the Belize River, the Monkey River, the Sittee River, and Boom Creek. The mountains are the only source of igneous and metamorphic materials in Belize, exposed in three plutons: Mountain Pine Ridge, Hummingbird Ridge, and the Cockscomb Basin.

The Maya Mountains are home to a diverse landscape, including rainforests, national parks, wildlife reserves, and archaeological sites. The mountains around San Ignacio feature a massive cave system with hundreds of routes, a small handful of which are open to tourists. The range is also believed to contain gold deposits, although much of the area remains unexplored due to challenging terrain and thick vegetation.

Northern lowlands

The northern lowlands of Belize are characterised by flat, low-lying land with a swampy coastline and many lagoons. The landscape is mostly flat, with mangrove swamps on the coast giving way to savanna inland. The region has many cattle ranches, citrus groves, and sugarcane fields.

The northern lowlands are drained by eighteen major rivers and many perennial streams. The largest and most historically important river is the Belize River, which drains more than a quarter of the country as it winds along the northern edge of the Maya Mountains. The river is navigable up to the Guatemalan border and served as the main artery of commerce and communication between the interior and the coast until the 20th century.

The northern lowlands include the northern part of the Belize District and all of the Orange Walk and Corozal districts. The region covers about 2,800 square miles (7,250 square km) and has a population of more than 90,000. The only sizable towns in the region are Orange Walk, with about 14,000 residents, and Corozal Town, with a population of around 15,000.

The climate in the northern lowlands is tropical, with a rainy season from June to November and a dry season from January to May. The region receives less rainfall than anywhere else in the country, with annual rainfall in Corozal of around 50 inches. The temperature is slightly higher inland than on the coast.

The northern lowlands are home to some of Belize's most interesting Mayan sites, outstanding jungle lodges, and small, inexpensive inns. The region also boasts the country's most successful, privately-run conservation projects, resulting in a mix of environmental and archaeological treasures.

Islands, or cayes

Belize is a breathtakingly beautiful Caribbean nation with over 239 miles of coastline and the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere. With over 200 islands or cayes, there is plenty to explore.

Ambergris Caye

The largest island in Belize, Ambergris is in close proximity to both the Barrier Reef and the mainland. It is also a pene-exclave as it is geographically separated from the rest of the country. Popular among travellers, the island boasts a variety of water-related activities, including windsurfing, sailing, jet-skiing, snorkelling, bird watching, fishing, and culinary delights. San Pedro Town, on the eastern coast of the island, is known for its vibrant nightlife and parties.

Caye Caulker

A close neighbour to Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker is a laid-back island offering a Caribbean vibe and a "go slow" mantra. This small fishing and sailing village is perfect for those seeking a less crowded and more relaxed atmosphere. Caye Caulker is also a backpacker's paradise, with limited luxury hotels. Visitors can explore the history of the island and the old shipwrights' tools at the Shipwright exhibit at the Belize Marine Terminal and Museum.

Tobacco Caye

Travelling south to Tobacco Caye will bring you closer to paradise. In as little as three hours from Belize City, visitors can explore some of the most remote and stunning locations in the country. Tobacco Caye is a tiny island with over 186 miles of reefs that sit close to the Belizean coast, making it a favourite location for spotting marine life. It is also budget-friendly, offering affordable lodging and food options.

Laughing Bird Caye

Situated 11 miles off the Placencia coast, Laughing Bird Caye is one of the most beautiful islands in Belize. The island gets its name from the laughing gulls that come to breed there. As it sits on an elongated piece of reef, Laughing Bird Caye boasts an abundance of marine life. Declared a protected area and a World Heritage Site, it is a popular spot for snorkelers and divers, although overnight stays are not permitted.

South Water Caye

One of the most underrated areas, South Water Caye offers 15 acres of unique white, sandy beaches and tropical settings. Snorkelers can enjoy 180-degree views of marine life no matter where they go on the island. As part of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, it boasts the biggest protected marine park in Belize.

St. George's Caye

St. George's Caye is a national treasure for those seeking a peaceful getaway. A quick 20-minute trip via water taxi from Belize City will bring you to the luxurious St. George's Caye Resort, where visitors can enjoy kayaking, diving, and relaxing by the pool. The island is also of historical significance, as it was the site of the Battle of St. George's Caye, where the Baymen drove away Spanish invaders.

Water bodies, including lakes, lagoons and rivers

Belize has a diverse landscape, including rainforests, savannahs, jungles, rolling hills, waterfalls, and a long Caribbean coastline. The country is also home to several water bodies, including lakes, lagoons, and rivers, which are detailed below.

Lakes

One of the most notable lake areas in Belize is the Five Blue Lakes National Park. This park features five lakes, each named for the five distinct shades of blue that differentiate them. The lakes are set amid 400 acres of rainforest growing on a limestone hillside. The lakes are a popular spot for swimming, snorkelling, and picnicking, and visitors can also wade out to Orchid Island, named for the abundance of wild orchids that grow there. The lakes began experiencing a cycle of filling and drying up in 2006 when heavy rainfall followed by a severe drought changed the complexity of the sediment in and around the underground bedrock.

Lagoons

The Aguacate Lagoon is located in western Belize, just down the road from the Mennonite village of Spanish Lookout in the Cayo District. The name, which means "avocado" in Spanish, is derived from the many avocado trees that thrive in the area. The lagoon is a pristine wetland and one of the best birding and wildlife-spotting areas in the country. Ornithologists can easily spot Vermillion Flycatchers, Fork-tailed Flycatchers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, White-Tailed Kites, Hawks, Laughing Falcons, Meadowlarks, Swallows, Herons, and even Jabiru storks.

Rivers

Belize has a total of 35 major and minor river catchments or watersheds that drain into the Caribbean Sea. Some of the notable rivers in Belize include the Sibun River, the Cut and Throwaway Creek, Little Vaqueros Creek, and Quashie Banner Creek.

Frequently asked questions