Belize's East Coast: Caribbean Sea

Belize is a small Central American country located on the Caribbean coast, just below the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The Caribbean Sea borders Belize to the east, with 386km of coastline. Belize is the only Central American country without a Pacific coastline.

The country shares a land and sea border with Mexico to the north, a land border with Guatemala to the west, and a sea border with Guatemala to the south. Belize is also connected to Honduras by a water boundary.

Belize is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the east

The coastline of Belize, on the eastern coast of Central America, is full of indented areas, providing for many beaches as well as swamplands and lagoons. Belize's shore is sheltered by the second-longest barrier reef in the world, dotted with a large number of smaller coral reefs and cays. A barrier reef is an underwater formation of coral that lies parallel to the coast. The Belize Barrier Reef is the largest in the Western Hemisphere and second only in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Belize's eastern border lies on the Caribbean Sea. The central coast is on the open sea, but the northern shoreline forms one side of Chetumal Bay, while the southern coast borders the Gulf of Honduras and Amatique Bay. The inner coastal waters are shallow and are sheltered by a line of coral reefs, dotted with islets called cayes, extending almost the entire length of the country.

Belize is a small country of 8,867 square miles that sits on the northeastern coast of Central America. The friendly neighbour of Mexico and Guatemala, Belize shares an ancient Mayan past and common ethnic backgrounds with Central America. It is the only Central American country with English as a first language. Belize is a melting pot of cultures, with several distinct and identifiable ethnic groups, including the Creole, Mestizo, Maya, Garifuna, East Indians, Chinese and Mennonites.

Belize has a long coastline on the Caribbean Sea. Offshore, Belize has hundreds of islands strung out like jewels along the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-longest of its type in the world.

The Caribbean Sea is part of the Atlantic Ocean

The Caribbean Sea is a sea that is part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is located in the tropics of the Western Hemisphere and is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, Cuba and the Greater Antilles to the north, the Lesser Antilles to the east, and the northern coast of South America to the south. The Caribbean Sea is one of the largest seas on Earth, covering an area of about 2,754,000 square kilometres (1,063,000 square miles).

The sea's deepest point is the Cayman Trough, between the Cayman Islands and Jamaica, at approximately 7,686 metres (25,217 feet) below sea level. The Caribbean coastline is characterised by numerous gulfs and bays, including the Gulf of Gonâve, the Gulf of Venezuela, the Gulf of Darién, Golfo de los Mosquitos, the Gulf of Paria, and the Gulf of Honduras.

The Caribbean Sea is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to approximately 9% of the world's coral reefs. It has the world's second-largest barrier reef, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which runs for about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.

The Caribbean Sea has a tropical climate influenced by warm currents connecting the equatorial and subtropical Atlantic. The trade winds and ocean currents play a significant role in shaping the region's climate, with the northeast trade winds being particularly prominent.

The Caribbean Sea holds significant cultural and historical importance. Indigenous communities used it as an aquatic highway, and it has been a site of exploration and settlement by various European powers, including Spain, Britain, and France. The Caribbean region has also been impacted by natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes.

The Caribbean Sea is an important economic zone, with oil production, fishing, and tourism being key industries for the surrounding countries. However, it faces environmental challenges, including pollution and the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels and coral bleaching.

The Caribbean Sea's complex geography, diverse ecosystems, and cultural significance make it a vital part of the Atlantic Ocean and contribute to its global significance.

Belize's coastline is 386km long

The Belize coastline is characterised by dense mangrove habitats and narrow, low-lying sandy shores. The country's largest city, Belize City, is built on a filled mangrove forest and sits slightly below sea level. The coastline is also home to several small islands or cayes (pronounced "keys"), which are found in the crystal-clear waters of the reefs.

The northern savannas of Belize are relatively flat and dry compared to the rest of the country, receiving only 50 inches of rainfall annually. In contrast, the southern regions experience higher rainfall, with annual rainfall increasing to 120 inches in the south, where citrus plantations, fishing, and rainforests are prevalent.

The coastline of Belize is vulnerable to natural hazards such as hurricanes and coastal flooding, particularly in the southern regions. The country's flat and swampy coastal plains and low-lying islands are susceptible to the impacts of these natural disasters.

Belize's coastline is an integral part of its geography and plays a significant role in the country's economy and ecosystem. The Belize Barrier Reef, with its diverse marine life, is a popular tourist destination, attracting scuba divers and snorkelers from around the world.

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-longest in the world

Belize is a small Central American nation located on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America. To its east lies the Caribbean Sea, which is flanked by the second-longest barrier reef in the world, the Belize Barrier Reef. This impressive natural wonder extends for roughly 300 metres (980 feet) offshore in the north and 40 kilometres (25 miles) in the south within the country's limits.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a 300-kilometre-long (190-mile) section of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which stretches from Cancún on the Yucatán Peninsula's northeastern tip down to Honduras. This makes it the second-largest coral reef system globally, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The Belize Barrier Reef is a series of coral reefs that provide a habitat for a diverse range of plant and animal life.

The reef is not just a natural wonder but also a significant economic asset for Belize. It is the country's top tourist destination, attracting scuba divers and snorkelers and contributing to the fishing industry. The Belize Barrier Reef is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its vulnerability and the importance of its natural habitats for conserving biological diversity.

The Belize Barrier Reef boasts three distinct Caribbean atolls: Turneffe Atoll, Glover's Reef, and Lighthouse Reef, which is the most easterly diving area in the country. These atolls and reefs offer diverse scuba diving opportunities, including walls, pinnacles, and reef flats across a vast expanse of sea.

The Belize Barrier Reef is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. It hosts 70 hard coral species, 36 soft coral species, and hundreds of invertebrate species. However, the reef faces threats from oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Despite protective measures, scientists claim that over 40% of the Belize Barrier Reef has been damaged since 1998 due to factors like hurricanes and coral bleaching caused by rising ocean temperatures.

The Belize Barrier Reef is an ecological treasure, offering a glimpse into the evolutionary history of reefs while supporting numerous endangered species. Its recognition as the second-longest barrier reef in the world underscores the need to balance human activities with conservation efforts to preserve this natural wonder for future generations.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS) is made up of seven protected areas: Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, Blue Hole Natural Monument, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, Laughing Bird Caye National Park, and Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve. These protected areas cover 12% of the entire reef complex and showcase the evolutionary history of reef development, with the reef types ranging from fringing reefs to barrier reefs and atolls.

The Belize Barrier Reef is an important habitat for many species, including over 500 species of fish, 65 species of scleractinian coral, 45 species of hydroids, and 350 species of molluscs. It also provides a home for endangered species such as the West Indian manatee, the American crocodile, and three species of sea turtle. The reef is a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkelling and is a significant attraction for tourists visiting Belize.

Belize has committed to preserving 30% of its oceanic territory, including all seven of the marine protected areas that make up the BBRRS. This, along with other conservation efforts such as a total ban on single-use plastics, has made Belize a leader in conservation in the Caribbean and the world. The country aims to protect and preserve the Belize Barrier Reef for future generations.

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