Belize's Bordering Neighbors

Belize is a country in Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. It also shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast. Belize has a diverse society, with many different cultures and languages coexisting within its borders. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1981 and is now a member of the Commonwealth.

Mexico to the north

Belize is bordered to the north by Mexico. The country has a 276km-long border with Mexico, and a 174-mile coastline. Belize is located on the Caribbean coast of Central America, south of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is a small country, with a population of around 410,000 people, and an area of 22,966 sq km (8,867 sq mi). The country is predominantly rural, with over half of its population living outside of urban centres.

Belize's northern region consists mostly of flat, swampy coastal plains, with heavy forestation in places. The north is drained by the Belize River, which was the main artery of commerce and communication between the interior and the coast until the 20th century. The Hondo River also drains the north of the country, and forms the border with Mexico. The north of Belize has fertile soils, with limestone soils found across the region.

The country has a diverse society, with many different cultures and languages. While English is the official language, Belize is also home to speakers of Spanish, Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna. Belize is the only Central American country where English is the official language.

Belize's path to independence was marked by a unique international campaign against the irredentist claims of its neighbour, Guatemala. Belize achieved independence from the UK in 1981, and has retained historical links with the UK through its membership in the Commonwealth.

Guatemala to the west and south

Belize is bordered to the west and south by Guatemala. The country's western border with Guatemala is an imaginary line that runs north-south through lowland forest and highland mountainous plateau. This border is known as the adjacency line and is administered by the Organisation of American States (OAS). Guatemala has long claimed the territory of Belize, on the basis of old Spanish treaties, and the two countries are still involved in an ongoing border dispute.

Guatemala's claim to Belizean territory rests, in part, on Clause VII of the Anglo-Guatemalan Treaty of 1859, which obligated the British to build a road between Belize City and Guatemala. At various times, the issue has required mediation by the United Kingdom, Caribbean Community heads of government, the Organization of American States (OAS), Mexico, and the United States. In 2018, Guatemala held a referendum on whether to take its territorial claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), with 95% of voters voting yes. Belize held a similar referendum in 2019, with 55.4% of voters opting to send the matter to the ICJ.

Belize's border with Guatemala is defined by two rivers: the Hondo River, which marks the border with Mexico in the north, and the Sarstoon River, which defines most of its southern border.

Honduras to the southeast

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. It also shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast.

Belize is a small country, with a population of around 400,000 people (as of 2022). It is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America. The country is roughly 290km long and 110km wide, with a total land boundary length of 516km.

The northern part of Belize is characterised by flat wetlands and coastal plains, with heavy forestation in some areas. The southern region, in contrast, contains the Maya Mountains, a low mountain range. The country's highest point is Doyle's Delight, at 1,124m above sea level.

Belize has a diverse society, with many different cultures and languages coexisting. The country's official language is English, but other commonly spoken languages include Spanish, Belizean Creole, Mayan, and Garifuna.

Belize has a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with King Charles III as its monarch and head of state. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981 and is now a member of the Commonwealth.

Belize's maritime borders

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. It also shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast.

The Belize Barrier Reef is approximately 260 km long and is a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkelling. It is home to a vast array of plant and animal species, including hard and soft coral species and hundreds of invertebrate species. The reef also includes dozens of small islands called cayes, which are popular tourist destinations.

The Belizean government has taken measures to protect its maritime borders and the fragile ecosystem they encompass. In 2010, Belize became the first country in the world to completely ban bottom trawling, and in 2015, it banned offshore oil drilling within a certain distance of the reef and its World Heritage Sites. These measures aim to preserve the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the area.

In addition to the Belize Barrier Reef, Belize's maritime borders include the waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The country's total coastline measures approximately 386 kilometres, offering a range of marine environments and supporting a thriving fishing industry.

The Hondo and Sarstoon rivers

Belize is home to around 35 rivers, including the Hondo and Sarstoon rivers, which are mentioned in the country's national anthem. The Hondo River, also known as the Río Hondo, is a vital water source for Belize, flowing through the heart of the country and providing crucial ecosystem services. It is approximately 150 kilometres (93 miles) long, though one source states it is 190 kilometres long, and forms part of the international border between Belize and Mexico. The river is formed from the confluence of several upper tributaries, including Blue Creek and Chan Chich (Rio Bravo), which originate in Guatemala's Petén Basin region, and Booth's River, which rises in the western Belizean district of Orange Walk. These tributaries meet near the settlements of Blue Creek Village in Belize and La Unión in Mexico. From here, the river continues its northeastern course until it reaches the Bay of Chetumal in the Caribbean Sea.

The Hondo River flows through a variety of habitats, including tropical forests, wetlands, and mangrove swamps, and is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including jaguars, toucans, river otters, and several species of primates. The river is also a popular destination for tourists and locals, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, kayaking, birdwatching, and wildlife watching.

The Sarstoon River, or Río Sarstún, is an 111-kilometre-long river that forms part of the international border between Belize and Guatemala. Flowing eastward, it serves as the border between the Guatemalan departments of Petén and Izabal and the Belizean Toledo District before emptying into the Caribbean Sea. Sarstoon Island, located near the river's mouth, is part of Belizean territory. The Sarstoon River is the internationally accepted southern border between Belize and Guatemala, although Guatemala has claimed Belizean territory south of the Sibun River since 1999, including Sarstoon Island, leading to several territorial disputes and incidents.

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