Belize: Caribbean Or Not?

Belize is considered a Caribbean country due to its location on the northeast coast of Central America, its Caribbean cultural influences, and its membership in CARICOM, the Caribbean's equivalent of the European Union. While Belize is geographically part of Central America, it shares cultural similarities with other Caribbean nations, including a diverse mix of ethnicities, languages, and artistic ties. Belize also has a lengthy coastline along the Caribbean Sea, contributing to its Caribbean identity. Additionally, Belize is the only Caribbean country with a vast amount of wildlife and the only Spanish-speaking country in the Caribbean.

Belize is a member of CARICOM

CARICOM's primary objectives are to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members, ensure that the benefits of integration are equitably shared, and coordinate foreign policy. The organisation is currently made up of all independent Anglophone island countries, Belize, Guyana, Montserrat, and Suriname, as well as all other British Caribbean territories and Bermuda as associate members.

Belize is considered both a Caribbean and a Central American country. It is located on the north-eastern coast of Central America, 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 where English is the official language, and it has strong ties to both the American and Caribbean regions. Belize is also the only Caribbean country where you can find Mayan ruins and the only one settled by the Mayan people.

Belize is a full participating member of several international organisations, including the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Central American Integration System (SICA), and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Belize has a Caribbean culture

Belize is considered a Caribbean country due to its location and its cultural ties to the region. Belize is located on the northeastern coast of Central America and is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. While it is not technically "in" the Caribbean as it is part of the Central American mainland, its lengthy coastline along the Caribbean Sea and its cultural similarities to other Caribbean countries contribute to its Caribbean identity.

Belize has a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages, including Creole, Maya, Mestizo, East Indian, Garifuna, and Mennonite. The country's cultural ties to the Caribbean are evident in its art, music, and culture, which share similarities with nations like Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The country's cuisine also has distinct flavours and ingredients that set it apart from other Central American dishes.

In addition, Belize is the only Caribbean country where Maya ruins can be found, and it is the only Caribbean country settled by the Mayan people. The country also boasts a vast amount of wildlife, including jaguars, pumas, and tapirs. The Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world, is another natural attraction that contributes to Belize's Caribbean appeal.

Belize is also part of the social and economic Caribbean community as a member of CARICOM, the Caribbean's equivalent of the European Union. This further strengthens its ties to other Caribbean nations.

Therefore, Belize's unique location, cultural influences, and natural attractions contribute to its identity as a Caribbean country, despite its geographical position on the Central American mainland.

Belize is the only Spanish-speaking country in the Caribbean

Belize is considered a Caribbean country because of its location on the northeast coast of Central America, with a long coastline on the Caribbean Sea. It is the only Central American country with English as the official language, but Spanish is the second-most-commonly-spoken language. Belize is also a member of CARICOM, the Caribbean's equivalent of the European Union, and has closer ties to other Caribbean nations than to its neighbouring countries. Belize's culture, food, language, weather, people, and music are similar to those of other Caribbean countries.

Belize's landscape is also quintessentially Caribbean, with the best beaches in Central America, a preponderance of palm trees, tropical flowers, and fragrances found throughout the Caribbean. Belize's music is also distinct, focusing on percussion rather than the guitar melodies and harmonies of Latin nations. The distinct vibes of Belize's music include Mestizo, Kriol, and Garifuna genres that sound similar to calypso music.

Belize is the only Caribbean country with a vast amount of wildlife

Belize is considered a Caribbean country due to its geographical location on the northeastern coast of Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, Honduras to the southeast, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. It is the only Central American country where English is the official language, with Belizean Creole being the most widely spoken dialect.

Belize's low human population and approximately 22,970 square kilometres of undistributed land make it an ideal habitat for its diverse ecosystems, including extensive coral reefs, and more than 5,000 species of plants. The country's abundance of terrestrial and marine plants and animals has earned it a key place in the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.

Belize's rainforest is home to jaguars, tapirs, crocodiles, hundreds of bird species, thousands of plant species, and countless other forms of wildlife. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, established to protect the forests, fauna, and watersheds of the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains, is renowned as a jaguar preserve. The Baird's Tapir, the national animal of Belize, is another iconic species found in the country's forests.

Belize's coastal waters are also teeming with life. The country boasts three species of sea turtles: green, hawksbill, and loggerhead. Additionally, manatees, nurse sharks, and southern stingrays can be spotted near popular tourist destinations such as Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.

The rich biodiversity of Belize extends beyond its land and sea. The country's avifauna includes 590 species, with the keel-billed toucan being the national bird. Belize is also home to numerous species of salamanders, toads, and frogs, such as the rufescent salamander, red-eyed tree frog, and Maya rain frog.

Belize's unique position between two continents, combined with its low population density and protected natural habitats, makes it a haven for an abundance of wildlife, solidifying its status as the only Caribbean country with such a diverse array of flora and fauna.

Belize is bordered by the Caribbean Sea

Belize's roots are an amalgam of ethnicities and cultures, with strong ties to both the Caribbean and Central America. The country is part of the social and economic Caribbean community as a member of CARICOM, the Caribbean's equivalent of the European Union. Belize has closer ties to other Caribbean nations than to its immediate neighbours. The country's art, music, and culture also have artistic ties to other Caribbean nations, such as Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

Belize's landscape is also quintessentially Caribbean, with some of the best beaches in Central America and an abundance of palm trees, tropical flowers, and fragrances. The country is home to the world's second-largest barrier reef, with three atolls sitting on this reef: Lighthouse, Turneffe, and Glovers Reef. From north to south, Belize has over 450 islands.

Belize's cuisine and music also reflect its Caribbean influence. Belizean cuisine features distinct tastes, smells, and accompaniments, with dishes like rice and beans cooked with coconut and coconut milk. Unlike Latin nations that rely on guitars for melodies and harmonies, Belize's music is all about percussion, with distinct vibes that sound similar to calypso music from Trinidad and Jamaica.

In summary, Belize is bordered by the Caribbean Sea and considered a Caribbean country due to its geographical location, cultural ties, and Caribbean-influenced landscape, cuisine, and music.

Frequently asked questions