Old Belize: A Historical Perspective

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, is a country nestled on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. With a population of approximately 397,483 people as of 2022, Belize is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America.

Belize boasts a diverse society, with a rich blend of cultures and languages. The country's landscape is equally varied, featuring mountains, swamps, tropical jungles, and a coastline graced by the second-longest barrier reef in the world.

Belize City, the largest city in the country, serves as the principal port and the financial and industrial hub. It was once the capital of British Honduras until it was ravaged by Hurricane Hattie in 1961, prompting the capital to be relocated to the newly built city of Belmopan.

Belize City, the former capital

Belize City was founded as "Belize Town" in 1638 by English lumber harvesters. It was previously a small Maya settlement called Holzuz. Belize Town was a central post for the English as it was located by the sea and served as a natural outlet for local rivers and creeks, which the British used to ship logwood and mahogany. Belize Town also became the home of thousands of African slaves brought in by the English and, later, the British, to work in the forestry industry.

Belize City was the capital of British Honduras (the former name of Belize) until 1970 when the government was moved to the new capital of Belmopan. The city was almost entirely destroyed in 1961 when Hurricane Hattie struck. Belize City has since been directly hit by two more hurricanes and has experienced fires and flooding.

Belize City is divided into two main areas: Northside, bounded by Haulover Creek and ending in the Fort George area in the east, and Southside, which includes the city's port area and downtown. Politically, Belize City is divided into ten constituencies and is governed by a mayor-council form of government. The city has a tropical monsoon climate, with warm to hot and humid conditions throughout the year.

The Caribbean coast

Belize is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America, with a history similar to that of English-speaking Caribbean nations. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The Caribbean coast of Belize is lined with a coral reef and some 450 islets and islands known locally as cayes. The cayes total about 690 square kilometres (270 sq. mi) and form the approximately 320-kilometre (200 mi) long Belize Barrier Reef, the largest in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a series of coral reefs that run for about 300 kilometres (190 mi) along the coast of Belize. It is the top tourist destination in Belize, attracting almost half of its 260,000 visitors. The reef is also vital to the fishing industry in Belize. In 1842, Charles Darwin described it as "the most remarkable reef in the West Indies". It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

The Belize Barrier Reef is home to a large variety of plants and animals. It is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, with 70 hard coral species, 36 soft coral species, and hundreds of invertebrate species. Scientists estimate that only about 10% of the reef's species have been discovered, as about 90% of the reef remains to be researched.

Despite protective measures, the reef remains under threat from oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Other threats include hurricanes, global warming, and coral bleaching. Scientists claim that over 40% of Belize's coral reef has been damaged since 1998.

Belize's Caribbean coast features sugar-white beaches on the mainland and offshore cayes. The cayes include Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize, which is known for its water-related activities, bird watching, fishing, and Belizean cuisine. Another popular caye is Caye Caulker, a laid-back backpacker's paradise with a Caribbean vibe and a "go slow" mantra. Tobacco Caye, a tiny island in southern Belize, is a budget-friendly spot for spotting marine life. Laughing Bird Caye, an island off the Placencia coast, is a protected area and World Heritage Site known for its abundant marine life.

The Maya Mountains

The range's highest peaks are Doyle's Delight, at 3,688 feet (1,124 metres), and Victoria Peak, at 3,680 feet (1,120 metres). Doyle's Delight is named after Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, who wrote about the Belize mountains in his 1912 book, 'The Lost World'. The second-highest peak, Victoria Peak, is classified as a Natural Monument and is located inside the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Much of the Maya Mountains is in protected areas spanning seventeen parks, reserves, sanctuaries, or monuments in southern Belize and northern Guatemala. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1990, is a nature reserve in south-central Belize that protects the forests, fauna, and watersheds of an approximately 400 km2 (150 sq mi) area of the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains.

The Belize Barrier Reef

• 70 hard coral species
• 36 soft coral species
• Hundreds of invertebrate species

However, it is estimated that only 10% of all species have been discovered, with 90% of the reef yet to be researched.

Despite protective measures, the reef faces threats from oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Other risks include hurricanes and global warming, which cause coral bleaching. Scientists claim that over 40% of Belize's coral reef has been damaged since 1998.

The Hondo and Sarstoon rivers

The Hondo River

The Hondo River (Spanish: Río Hondo) is a river in Central America that flows northeast for approximately 150 kilometres (93 miles) before emptying into the Bay of Chetumal in the Caribbean Sea. The river is formed by the confluence of several upper tributaries, including Blue Creek, Chan Chich (Rio Bravo), and Booth River. These tributaries join near the settlements of Blue Creek Village in Belize and La Unión in Mexico. The Hondo River then continues its northeastern course, passing through a few settlements before reaching the city of Chetumal, the capital of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

The Hondo River is of significant geopolitical importance as most of the international border between Mexico and Belize runs along its length. It is also mentioned in Belize's national anthem, "Land of the Free," which includes the line "From proud Rio Hondo to old Sarstoon."

The Sarstoon River

The Sarstoon River (Spanish: Río Sarstún) is another Central American river that forms the southern border of Belize with Guatemala. Originating in Guatemala's Alta Verapaz Department, the 111-kilometer-long river flows eastward, serving as the border between the departments of Petén and Izabal before passing between Belize's Toledo District and Guatemala's Izabal Department on its way to the Caribbean Sea. Sarstoon Island, located near the river's mouth, is considered part of Belizean territory.

The Sarstoon River has been the subject of an ongoing territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala. While it is internationally accepted as the southern border between the two countries, Guatemala has claimed Belizean territory south of the Sibun River since 1999, arguing that it inherited sovereignty over the area from the Spanish Empire and the Federal Republic of Central America. This dispute has led to several incidents, including a border incident in 2019 when Guatemalan gunboats prevented the Belizean coast guard from patrolling the river.

Frequently asked questions