Belize's Coastal Paradise

Belize is a country located on the northeast coast of Central America, with a long coastline on the Caribbean Sea. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize is the only Central American country without a coastline on the Pacific Ocean.

Belize is situated at 17°15′ north of the equator and 88°45′ west of the Prime Meridian on the Yucatán Peninsula. The country has a total area of 22,966 square kilometres (8,867 square miles), with 386 kilometres (240 miles) of coastline. The land area of Belize extends about 280 kilometres (170 miles) north-south and 100 kilometres (62 miles) east-west, with a land boundary length of 516 kilometres (321 miles).

The landscape of Belize is diverse, featuring misty mountains, enormous waterfalls, pristine rivers, savannahs, and jungles teeming with wildlife. The country is also home to hundreds of offshore islands, including three of the four coral atolls in the Western Hemisphere. The Great Blue Hole, one of the natural wonders of the world, is located off the coast of Belize.

Belize is located on the northeast coast of Central America

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It also shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast. The country is situated at 17°15′ north of the equator and 88°45′ west of the Prime Meridian on the Yucatán Peninsula. It is about a two-hour flight from Miami or Dallas-Fort Worth and can be reached by a two-day non-stop drive through Mexico from the Texas border.

The landscape of Belize is incredibly diverse, ranging from misty mountains and enormous waterfalls to pristine rivers, savannahs, and jungles teeming with wildlife. The country has a long coastline along the Caribbean Sea, boasting one of the most extensive coral reef systems in the world, the Belize Barrier Reef. This reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a rich variety of marine life.

Belize's landscape can be divided into two main regions: the northern lowlands and the southern region dominated by the rugged Maya Mountains. The northern lowlands consist of limestone lowlands and swamps, with many lagoons and mangrove swamps along the coast. The Maya Mountains, on the other hand, form a plateau of igneous rock cut by erosion into hills and valleys. This region is sparsely inhabited due to its rugged terrain and low-fertility soils.

Belize has a tropical climate with a rainy season from June to November and a dry season from January to May. The country experiences hurricanes, mainly during the late Atlantic hurricane season, and coastal flooding, particularly in the south.

Belize's small population is ethnically diverse, with a significant proportion of immigrants. The country's ethnic composition has shifted over time, moving from a predominantly Creole population to one where mestizos (people of mixed Mayan and Spanish ancestry) make up about half of the inhabitants.

It is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. The country shares a land and sea border with the Mexican state of Quintana Roo in the north, and a land border with the Guatemalan department of El Petén to the west. Belize's southern sea border is with the Guatemalan department of Izabal.

The northern border with Mexico is at Chetumal City, and the country is a two-day non-stop drive through Mexico from the Texas border. Commuter flights connect Belize to several Mexican cities, including Chetumal.

The border with Guatemala is known as the adjacency line and is administered by the Organisation of American States (OAS). The border runs north-south through lowland forest and highland mountainous plateau.

Belize is the only Central American country without a Pacific coastline

Belize is a Central American country located on the northeastern coast of the region. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It is the only Central American country without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean.

The country is situated on the Yucatán Peninsula, 17°15′ north of the equator and 88°45′ west of the Prime Meridian. It is a relatively small country, with a land area of 22,970 square kilometres (8,867 sq mi) and a population of approximately 410,990 people. The mainland of Belize is about 290 km (180 mi) long and 110 km (68 mi) wide, with a total land boundary length of 516 km (321 mi).

The geography of Belize is diverse, with flat, swampy coastal plains in the north and the Maya Mountains in the south. The country has a rich variety of wildlife, including over 5,000 species of plants and hundreds of species of animals. Belize is also known for its extensive coral reefs, which are part of the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.

Belize has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The average temperature in the coastal regions ranges from 24 °C (75.2 °F) in January to 27 °C (80.6 °F) in July. The seasons are marked more by differences in humidity and rainfall than in temperature. The average rainfall varies from 1,350 millimetres (53 in) in the north and west to over 4,500 millimetres (180 in) in the extreme south.

The country is divided into six districts and has a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a bicameral National Assembly. English is the official language of Belize, making it the only Central American country with English as the primary language of public education, government, and media. However, Belize's diverse society is composed of many cultures and languages, with Spanish, Belizean Creole, Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna also being widely spoken.

Belize has a small, private enterprise-based economy primarily focused on agriculture, agro-based industries, and merchandising. Tourism and construction have also become increasingly important to the economy in recent years. The country has a high prevalence of communicable diseases and moderate rates of violent crime, mainly due to gang activity.

The country has a diverse landscape, from misty mountains to pristine rivers

Belize is a country of diverse landscapes, from misty mountains to pristine rivers. Located on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America, it boasts a variety of natural splendours, ancient ruins, and stories of bygone rulers. The country's landscape ranges from flat, swampy coastal plains in the north to the majestic Maya Mountains in the south, offering a mix of pristine rivers, waterfalls, and natural pools.

The Maya Mountains, soaring in the west, exude a unique energy with their untouched natural parks, wildlife, and Mayan relics. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, covering approximately 300 square miles, is a hiker's paradise, offering breathtaking views of forested pine valleys. The Mayflower Bocawina National Park, with its cascading creeks and emerald jungle, is another sanctuary for nature lovers.

Belize is also blessed with around 35 rivers, including popular tourist destinations such as the New River, Monkey River, Mopan River, and Macal River. The Mopan River, one of the most pristine rivers in western Belize, flows through the Petén Department of Guatemala and the Cayo District in Belize, offering stunning ravines, waterfalls, and rock formations. The Macal River, accessible near San Ignacio, flows through the pristine environment of the Maya Mountains.

In addition to its mountainous terrain, Belize also boasts white sandy beaches and crystalline waters along its eastern coastline. The Caribbean coast is lined with a coral reef and approximately 450 islets, known locally as cayes. These cayes form the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest in the world, providing a haven for divers, sailors, and fishing enthusiasts.

With its diverse landscapes, Belize offers a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, river canoeing or tubing, and reef exploration. The country's natural beauty, ancient history, and cultural diversity make it a captivating destination for those seeking adventure and relaxation.

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest barrier reef in the world

Belize is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It also shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a series of coral reefs, offshore atolls, coral atolls, coastal lagoons, estuaries, mangrove forests, and several types of reefs. It is home to a diverse array of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, eels, nurse sharks, goliath groupers, dolphins, and manatees. The reef also boasts three distinct Caribbean atolls: Turneffe Atoll, Glover's Reef, and Lighthouse Reef. Lighthouse Reef is the most easterly diving area in Belize and is home to the Great Blue Hole, made famous by Jacques Cousteau in 1970.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a significant natural habitat for threatened species, including marine turtles, manatees, and the American marine crocodile. It is also home to a diverse array of top predators, including jaguars, great hammerheads, and ospreys. The reef provides an important habitat for several endangered species, including the West Indian manatee, the American crocodile, and three species of sea turtle.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a popular tourist destination, attracting scuba divers, snorkelers, sailors, and fishers. It is also vital to Belize's fishing industry. The reef was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996 due to its vulnerability and ecological importance.

In recent years, the reef has faced various threats, including oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Other challenges include hurricanes, global warming, and coral bleaching due to rising ocean temperatures. Despite these challenges, the Belize Barrier Reef remains a remarkable natural wonder and a testament to the country's rich marine biodiversity.

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