Doyle's Delight: A Belizean Paradise

Doyle's Delight is located in the heart of the Maya Mountains in Belize. It is the highest peak in Belize at 1,124 metres (3,687-3,688 feet) above sea level. Doyle's Delight is mostly a technicality, as it is just a spur that is slightly higher than the surrounding mountain range rather than a true peak. The name Doyle's Delight was coined by Sharon Matola in 1989, referencing a quote from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's book The Lost World, which describes Belize as a wild and wonderful country.

Doyle's Delight is the highest point in Belize

The peak was named by Sharon Matola, the founder of the Belize Zoo, in 1989. The name comes from a quote in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's book "The Lost World": "there must be something wild and wonderful in a country such as this, and we're the men to find it out!". The area's towering palms and strangler figs, with their trunks wrapped in ferns and moss, are said to resemble the novel's prehistoric setting.

Doyle's Delight is considered a technicality as the highest point, as it is just a spur that is slightly higher than the surrounding mountain range. For most of Belize's history, it had no official name. Victoria's Peak, long considered the highest point in Belize, is located east of the Maya Mountain Divide in the Stann Creek District. It requires a difficult hike to reach, and the trail is often impassable.

The capital of Belize, Belmopan, has a street named after Doyle's Delight. There has been a recent attempt to rename the peak "Kaan Witz", which is Maya for "Sky Mountain". However, this new name has not gained widespread acceptance.

It is located in the Maya Mountains

Doyle's Delight is located in the Maya Mountains in Belize. It is considered the highest point in Belize, standing at 1,124 meters (3,687-3,688 feet) above sea level. Despite its status as the country's tallest peak, Doyle's Delight lacks a distinct peak and is often overshadowed by the more visually dramatic Victoria Peak, which was previously believed to be Belize's highest point.

The Maya Mountains span a significant portion of Belize, and Doyle's Delight is situated on the Maya Mountain Divide, specifically in the southwestern region of the country. The peak is approximately 6.5 kilometers north of the eastern edge of Little Quartz Ridge and about 32 kilometers west-southwest of Richardson Peak. Doyle's Delight is geographically positioned at UTM coordinates 1,824,500 North and 281,600 East.

The area surrounding Doyle's Delight is characterised by gently sloping terrain, in contrast to the more dramatic peaks found elsewhere in the Maya Mountains. The peak is located in a remote area, accessible primarily by helicopter due to the dense jungle and challenging terrain. The British Army's jungle training unit often conducts exercises in this isolated region.

The name "Doyle's Delight" was coined by Sharon Matola, the founder of the Belize Zoo, in 1989. The name draws inspiration from a quote in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's book "The Lost World," which describes Belize as "a wild and wonderful country." The capital of Belize, Belmopan, even has a street named "Doyle's Delight Street" in honour of this iconic location.

The name was coined by Sharon Matola

Doyle's Delight is the highest peak in Belize, measuring 3,687 feet (1,124 meters) high. It is located in the Maya Mountain range, which spans much of Belize. The peak is in the Toledo District of Belize and is considered a spur that is slightly higher than the surrounding mountain range. Due to this technicality, it did not have an official name for most of Belize's history.

The name Doyle's Delight was coined by Sharon Matola, an American-born Belizean biologist, environmentalist, and zookeeper. She was the founding director of the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center, a zoo that began in 1983 to protect native animals previously used in a documentary film. Matola, who had a deep interest in animals and their welfare, named the peak in 1989, referencing a quote from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's book, "The Lost World". In the book, Belize is described as a "wild and wonderful country".

Sharon Matola's work in Belize extended beyond naming Doyle's Delight. She was instrumental in founding the Belize Zoo, which became a popular attraction, drawing locals, tourists, and school children eager to see the native animals she cared for. Matola's passion for wildlife and conservation led her to become a fixture in Belizean society and a voice against development projects that threatened the country's natural environment. Her activism influenced a generation of Belizeans, leaving a lasting impact on the country's understanding of its wildlife and the importance of conservation.

The name Doyle's Delight, coined by Sharon Matola, has gained widespread acceptance. It pays homage to both the country of Belize and the majestic peak that stands as its highest point.

The peak is 3,687 feet (1,124 meters) high

Doyle's Delight, the highest peak in Belize, measures 3,687 feet (approximately 1,124 meters) in height. While some sources state the height in feet as 3,687, others round up to 3,688. The peak is located in the Maya Mountains in the Toledo District of southwestern Belize. Doyle's Delight is considered a technicality, as it is just a spur that is slightly higher than the surrounding mountain range. The peak is also part of a gently sloping range, with no dramatic peak, making it relatively easy to hike.

The Maya Mountains, and Doyle's Delight, are considered geologically old for this part of Central America, dating back at least 65 million years. These high-elevation forests are rare and unique in Belize. The peak was named by Sharon Matola, the founder of the Belize Zoo, in 1989. The name is a reference to a quote from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's book "The Lost World", which describes Belize as a "wild and wonderful country".

Doyle's Delight is just one of the many attractions in Belize. The country is also home to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world's first jaguar preserve, where more than 200 jaguars roam 150 square miles. The sanctuary is also home to gorgeous tropical flowers, hundreds of bird species, exotic wildlife, and several lovely waterfalls.

For those interested in hiking to Doyle's Delight, there is a small survey marker placed at the point by the British military in 1970. The peak can be accessed via the Placencia Peninsula in southern Belize, where there are luxury beachfront resorts with villas, tropical gardens, and infinity swimming pools.

The area is home to diverse wildlife

Doyle's Delight is located in the Toledo District of Belize, in the Maya Mountains. The area is home to diverse wildlife, including jaguars, monkeys, and Belize's five big cat species. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (CBWS), the world's first jaguar preserve, is also located in the region. The sanctuary is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including gorgeous tropical flowers, hundreds of bird species, and exotic animals such as monkeys and big cats. The area's wildlife also includes more than 200 jaguars that roam the sanctuary's 150-square-mile area.

In addition to its diverse wildlife, the region boasts gorgeous tropical flowers, deep pools, river rapids, and ancient Maya sites. The Maya Mountains, of which Doyle's Delight is a part, date back at least 65 million years and are considered geologically old for Central America. The range is known for its high-elevation forests, which are unique and rare in Belize.

The diverse wildlife and natural beauty of the area make it a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts. However, reaching Doyle's Delight can be challenging due to its remote location and the difficulty of the terrain. Visitors often require an armed escort due to the presence of illegal gold panners and loggers in the area. Despite the challenges, the region offers a unique opportunity to experience the wild and wonderful country of Belize, as described by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

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