Belize: Central America's Tropical Paradise

Belize is a country located on the Caribbean coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north and northwest, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize has a diverse landscape, including mountains, swamps, and tropical jungles, and is known for its dense marshy lowlands in the north and hilly terrain in the south. With a population of just over 360,000, it is the most sparsely populated nation in Central America.

Belize is in Central America

Belize is a country located in Central America, on the northeast coast of the continent. It is situated on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America, just 17°15′ north of the equator and 88°45′ west of the Prime Meridian on the Yucatán Peninsula. Central America is the isthmus that connects North and South America.

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. To the east lies the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It also shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast. The Hondo and Sarstoon rivers define much of the country's northern and southern boundaries, while the western border runs through lowland forest and highland mountainous plateau.

Belize is the only Central American country with no Pacific coastline and is the least populated and least densely populated country on the continent. It has a small population of approximately 400,000 people and an area of 22,966 square kilometres (8,867 square miles). The country's landscape is diverse, with flat wetlands and coastal plains in the north and the Maya Mountains in the south.

Belize gained independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1981 and is now an independent nation and a constitutional monarchy. It is a Commonwealth realm with King Charles III as its monarch and head of state. Belize is the only Central American country where English is the official language, and it has a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages.

Belize is known for its natural beauty, including the world's second-largest barrier reef, lush jungles, and ancient Maya sites. It has a rich variety of wildlife and is considered a biodiversity and cultural hotspot. The country has a unique history and culture, making it a popular tourist destination for those seeking to explore the natural wonders and diverse landscapes of Central America.

It borders Mexico and Guatemala

Belize is a small nation in Central America, located on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is bordered by Mexico to the northwest and Guatemala to the west and south. The Belize–Guatemala border is approximately 266 km (165 mi) long and is defined by the Wyke–Aycinena Treaty of 1859, which established the modern-day boundary lines of Belize. This treaty ended a long-running territorial dispute between the two nations, which dated back to the 1600s when both territories were under Spanish sovereignty with British settlers occupying parts of the land. Despite the treaty, Guatemala has continued to dispute the border with Belize, arguing that the treaty is void due to Britain's failure to comply with certain economic assistance provisions.

The Belize–Guatemala border runs close to the 89th meridian west and separates the west of Belize's territory from Guatemala. The border begins at the mouth of the River Sarstoon in the Bay of Honduras and follows the river's mid-channel to Gracias a Dios Falls. From there, the border turns right and continues in a direct line to Garbutt's Falls on the River Belize. Finally, the border runs due north from Garbutt's Falls until it reaches the Mexican frontier. There is one main highway crossing at Benque Viejo del Carmen in Belize and Melchor de Mencos in Guatemala, where the respective highways connect to the two countries' major cities.

The Belize–Mexico border is located at Chetumal City, and the two countries share a land and sea border in the north. Commuter flights connect Belize to several Mexican cities, including Chetumal, Cancun, and Merida. The Belize–Mexico border also runs along the Rio Hondo, which was established as the boundary line between the two nations in an 1893 treaty. This river defines much of the course of the countries' northern boundary.

Belize's proximity to Mexico and Guatemala offers several advantages, including easy access to neighbouring countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. The small nation is also home to diverse natural wonders, such as the Great Blue Hole, a large marine sinkhole located within a coral reef off the coast of Belize.

The Caribbean Sea is to the east

Belize is a small country located in Central America, with a land area of 8,860 square miles or 22,966 square kilometres. To the east of Belize lies the Caribbean Sea, part of the Atlantic Ocean. The Caribbean Sea is one of the largest seas in the world, covering an area of about 2,754,000 square kilometres. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, and by the Greater Antilles to the north, starting with Cuba. To the east of the Caribbean Sea lie the Lesser Antilles, and to the south is the northern coast of South America.

The Caribbean Sea is home to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world's second-largest barrier reef. This reef runs for 1,000 kilometres along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. Belize's coastline is flanked by this reef and approximately 450 islets and islands, known locally as cayes. These cayes form the Belize Barrier Reef, the largest in the Western Hemisphere and the second-largest in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

The Caribbean Sea has a significant impact on the climate and weather patterns of the region. The principal ocean current is the North Equatorial Current, which enters the Caribbean from the tropical Atlantic. The climate of the area is generally tropical, but there are variations depending on factors such as mountain elevation, water currents, and trade winds. The northeast trade winds are a dominant feature, blowing consistently from the east with an average velocity of 10 to 20 miles per hour.

The Caribbean Sea also plays a crucial role in the region's economy and human activity. It is one of the largest oil-producing areas globally, and it generates a substantial fishing industry for the surrounding countries. Additionally, the Caribbean supports a thriving tourism industry, with approximately 12 million visitors annually. The warm, tropical waters and the extensive coral reefs of the Caribbean make it a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkelling.

Belize has the lowest population density in Central America

Belize is a small country on the eastern coast of Central America, nestled between Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. With a land area of approximately 22,800 to 22,970 square kilometres, Belize is home to a diverse population of around 347,000 to 416,306 people, depending on estimates. This gives Belize a population density of about 14 to 45.4 people per square mile, the lowest in Central America and one of the lowest globally.

Belize's population comprises various ethnic groups, including the Maya, Mestizo, Creole or Kriol, Garifuna, East Indian, Mennonite, Arab, and Chinese. The country's largest city, Belize City, has a population of about 57,000 to 70,000 residents, while the capital, Belmopan, is much smaller, with a population of around 16,500.

Belize's demographic landscape has been shaped by colonisation, slavery, and immigration, resulting in a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions. The country's official language is English, making it the only Central American country with English as the primary language. However, Belizean Creole, or Kriol, is the most widely spoken dialect and serves as the country's lingua franca.

Belize's population growth rate of 1.87% to 2.5% per year is one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere, and the country is expected to reach a population of about 390,000 by 2020 and nearly 700,000 by 2100.

Belize's low population density means that most of its land remains undeveloped and covered in forests. The country is known for its biodiversity and distinctive ecosystems, boasting the largest cave system in Central America and the world's second-largest barrier reef along its coast.

The capital city is Belmopan

Belize is a small country located in Central America, with a population of 397,483 as of 2022. It is bordered by Mexico to the northwest, and Guatemala to the west and south. To the east of Belize is the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Belmopan was constructed after Belize City was devastated by Hurricane Hattie in 1961. The new capital was built on higher ground, to avoid further flooding. The National Assembly Building is the focal point of the city, designed to resemble a Pre-Columbian Mayan temple, reflecting the nation's cultural heritage. The surrounding buildings mirror this design, creating the impression of an ancient Mayan plaza.

Belmopan is the third-largest settlement in Belize, with a population of 16,451 in 2010, and is the smallest capital city in the continental Americas by population. The city is home to many government buildings, foreign embassies, and NGOs. It is also a diverse place, with residents of various ethnicities, including Kriols, Garifuna, Mestizo, Maya, and recent immigrants from Asian countries.

Belmopan is not a typical tourist destination, but it does offer some attractions, including the George Price Centre for Peace and Development, and the National Assembly Building. The city is also a connecting point for those travelling by bus to other destinations in Belize.

Frequently asked questions