Belize: A Central American Gem On The Map

Belize is a small nation located in Central America, nestled between Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. With a unique blend of cultures and a rich history, Belize offers a true Caribbean flair and a distinct identity. Known for its world-renowned barrier reef, lush jungles, and ancient Maya sites, Belize is a biodiversity and cultural hotspot. Its official language is English, making it the only English-speaking country in Central America, along with being a part of the Commonwealth and Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Belize is bordered by Mexico and Guatemala

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. The Mexican state of Quintana Roo lies along the northern border of Belize, while the Guatemalan department of El Petén lies along the western border. Belize also shares a sea border to the south with the Guatemalan department of Izabal.

The Belize–Guatemala border is an almost straight line 266 km (165 mi) long, close to the 89th meridian west, which separates the west of Belize's territory from Guatemala's. The border has been disputed by Guatemala, which claims that the Wyke–Aycinena Treaty of 1859—which defined the border as running from the mouth of the River Sarstoon in the Bay of Honduras to the Mexican frontier—is void because Britain failed to comply with economic assistance provisions. The situation was partially resolved in 1991 when Guatemala officially recognised Belize's independence and diplomatic relations were established.

Belize's land border crossing with Mexico is at Chetumal City. From Central America, Belize is a one-day drive from Guatemala City, or a half-hour boat ride from the Izabal Department in Guatemala, which features the tourist city of Puerto Barrios. Commuter flights connect Belize to several Mexican cities, as well as Flores City near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal in Guatemala.

Belize is the only Central American country with no Pacific coastline.

It is on the Caribbean coast of Central America

Belize is located on the Caribbean coast of Central America, with the Caribbean Sea to its east. It is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. Sitting at 17°15′ north of the equator and 88°45′ west of the Prime Meridian, Belize is on the Yucatán Peninsula.

The country is part of an isthmus that connects North and South America. It is about the size of New Jersey, with an area of 22,966 square kilometres (8,867 sq. mi). The land area of the country extends about 280 kilometres (170 mi) north-south and about 100 kilometres (62 mi) east-west.

Belize is known for its biodiversity and cultural hotspots, with the world's second-largest barrier reef and lush jungles with ancient Maya sites. It has a unique and diverse population, with various ethnic groups co-existing harmoniously. The population includes people of Maya, Mestizo, Garinagu, Creole, Mennonite, East Indian, and Chinese descent.

Belize is easily accessible, with a quick two-hour flight from cities in the United States, such as Miami, Atlanta, or Houston. It is also within close proximity to other Central American countries, such as Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, making it a convenient destination for those wishing to explore multiple countries in the region.

The country is north of the equator and west of the Prime Meridian

Belize is a small country located in Central America, on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is situated north of the equator and west of the Prime Meridian. Specifically, Belize is positioned at 17°15′ north of the Equator and 88°45′ west of the Prime Meridian.

The Equator is an imaginary line that circles the Earth, separating the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It is considered to be at 0° latitude. The Prime Meridian, on the other hand, separates the Eastern and Western Hemispheres and is at 0° longitude.

Being north of the Equator places Belize in the Northern Hemisphere, along with other Central American countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. Meanwhile, its position west of the Prime Meridian places it in the Western Hemisphere. This means that Belize is in the northwestern quadrant of the Earth, which is defined by the intersection of the Northern and Western Hemispheres.

The Prime Meridian runs through Greenwich, England, and serves as the reference line for measuring longitude. Similarly, the Equator is the reference line for measuring latitude. These imaginary lines are essential for navigation and for understanding the Earth's geography.

Belize is about a two-hour flight from the US

Belize is a small country located in Central America, nestled between Mexico and Guatemala. It is situated on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, with the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The country is just north of the Equator, positioned at 17°15′ north of it and 88°45′ west of the Prime Meridian.

Belize is easily accessible from the US, with several nonstop flights connecting the two countries. The flight time from the US to Belize is approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes, but this can vary depending on the departure city and stopovers. For instance, the average nonstop flight time is around 6 hours and 14 minutes, and the quickest one-stop flight takes close to 7 hours. However, the flying time from specific US cities can be as short as about 2 hours.

For instance, there are nonstop flights from Miami, Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth to Belize City, with a flight time of about 2 hours. Miami is, in fact, the only US city that offers nonstop flights to Belize. Additionally, there are nonstop flights available from New York, with flights departing from Newark Liberty International Airport and arriving at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City. This airport serves as the international gateway to Belize and is the destination for all flights from the US.

Other US cities that offer flights to Belize, with possible layovers, include Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Charlotte, and New York City. The flight duration from Los Angeles to Belize City is approximately 4 hours and 46 minutes for a non-stop flight. However, the quickest one-stop flight from Los Angeles can take around 7 hours, and some flights with longer layovers may even take up to 29 hours.

It is one of the least populated countries in the world

Belize is a small country with a population of around 397,483–415,789 people, depending on the source. It is located on the northeastern coast of Central America, just north of the equator, and is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. With a population density of 18 per square kilometre, it is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America.

Belize has a total land area of 22,806–22,970 square kilometres (8,807–8,867 square miles), making it slightly larger than El Salvador or Massachusetts. The country's population is mostly rural, with over half of its people living outside of urban centres. The biggest urban area is Belize City, the former capital, which has a population of about 70,000 people. Other major urban areas include San Ignacio and Belmopan, the current capital.

Belize is ethnically diverse, with several indigenous groups, including the Mestizo (about 43–52.9% of the population), Creole (25.9–30%), Maya (11–11.3%), Garifuna (6.1–7%), East Indian (3–3.9%), Mennonite (3–3.6%), and White (1.2–4.8%) populations. There are also smaller groups of expats from the United States, Canada, and China, as well as other immigrants from Latin America.

The official language of Belize is English, and it is used in schools, on road signs, and in official texts. However, Spanish is also widely spoken, particularly in districts bordering Guatemala and Mexico. Other languages spoken include Garifuna, Creole, and several Maya dialects.

Belize has a diverse society and a rich cultural heritage, with strong ties to both Central America and the Caribbean. It is known for its music, such as punta and brukdown, as well as its September Celebrations, which commemorate the country's defence of its territory against Spanish colonisation.

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