Belize is located in Central America just south of the Yucatan Peninsula. Home to the Mayan civilization and settled later by the British, Belize is an English speaking country containing a wonderful mix of several different cultures working together in a tropical oceanside environment containing savannahs and lush rainforests.
The People
When visiting Belize, tourists find a mix of many different ethnic cultures including: Creoles, Mestizos, Indigenous Maya, Mennonites, Garifunda/Garinagu, East Indians, Chinese, Hispanic and European.
The
economic status of this diverse population varies considerably from area to
area. In urban areas
of Belize City, one can see large palatial homes just blocks away from much
poorer neighborhoods containing chickens and turkeys roaming the streets. Many
people in the rural areas do not have electricity or running water and
continue to farm using methods passed down from their
ancestors. 
The U.S. Department of State reports that the average per capita income in Belize in 2005 was $3,650. For the same year in the United States, the average per capita income was $34,586 in 2005.
Services, including tourism, agriculture, agro-processing, forestry and fishing account for the majority of the gross domestic product. The top 5 export commodities are sugar, citrus concentrate, apparel, bananas and seafood. Tourism is an important developing sector with visitors arriving by cruise ships in Belize City and flying in to stay at the many coastal resorts in northern Belize.
The
Environment
Belize has become one of the world's most biologically diverse nations with the integrity of its natural resources still very much intact. It boasts 93% of its land under forest covers, the largest coral reef in the western hemisphere (second only to Australia's) , the largest cave system in Central America, over 500 species of birds, thousands of Maya archaeological temples and the only jaguar reserve in the world. With only 8, 867 square miles (22,960 sq.. km) and 250,000 people, the population density is the lowest in the Central American region and one of the lowest in the world.
The
northern half of the mainland of Belize supports scrub vegetation and dense
hardwood tropical forest. Belize has over 135 species of reptiles and
amphibians, and more are being discovered. Among these are the beautiful green
red-eyed tree frogs, green iguanas, crocodiles, and numerous snakes. Iguanas
are everywhere and are locally called bamboo chickens. The coastal area is
neither land nor sea, but a sodden, swampy transition between the two. It
consists of mangrove and grasses, and it is bordered by tussock grasses,
cypress, and sycamore where the land separates the water.
The central part of Belize supports large savannas. Approximately thirty miles southwest of Belize City, the land begins to rise dramatically to between 1,500 and 3,680 feet above sea level into the enchanting Mountain Pine Ridge Area and the Maya Mountains. Abundant rainfall runs off the northwest from the highlands in a number of streams which flow into the Macal River. Ultimately, the Macal River and the Mopan River converge to provide the headwaters of the Belize River. Belize has over 145 species of mammals. Among these animals are the five different species of wildcat that can be found in this country. Belize is home to the world's only jaguar preserve, the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve. The preserve is over 100,000 acres of land set aside to protect this endangered cat.
The
southern part of Belize, with its watershed to the southeast from the Maya
Mountains, consists of short rivers that rush through slopes combed with
overhanging ledges and caves. The rivers, carrying sand, clay and silt, have
enriched the coastal belt over the years, allowing Belize to develop
significant agricultural products such as citrus and bananas. Along with an
annual rainfall of some 170 inches, southern Belize has a true tropical rain
forest that is rich with ferns, palms, lianas, and tropical hardwoods. In this
lush forestland, you can see some of Belize's 500 species of amazing birds.
The national bird of Belize is the Keel-Billed Toucan, a shy bird typically
found in lowland forests and forest borders.
Stretching
from the northern Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, south along the borders of
Belize and Guatemala, and on to the Bay Islands of Honduras, the Mesoamerican
Barrier Reef is the second largest coral reef in the world and is home to some
of the richest biodiversity in the wider Caribbean. The reef is a vital
natural resource for coastal communities throughout the region, supporting
major fisheries and local food supplies, coastal protection from storms, and a
robust marine tourism industry. Yet threats to the reef have increased
significantly in recent years, including over-fishing, pollution resulting
from intensive coastal development and poor watershed management, and rapid
growth in marine tourism activities.
For more information visit: Coastal Treasures of Belize.
Photo credits: top banner - ACES and D. Sturm; map of Belize - D.Sturm; kayakers-TIDE; all other photos on page-ACES.