Travel Guide To Belize

Belize, a country rich in nature and populated by a diverse group of people, is the youngest country in the Americas and the only in Central America with English as its official language. Small in size (8867 sq. Miles) but big in natural beauty. From the calm blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, coconut palm cayes, and its majestic coral reef in the east to mountains, rivers, lagoons and a virgin rainforest teeming with wildlife in the western and southern parts of the country. This is Belize the jewel of the Caribbean and the gem of Central America.

Belize is only a short flight from the USA and is bordered by Mexico and Guatemala. Belize gained its independence in 1981 from Great Britain and is a member country of the Commonwealth. It’s history goes back to the days of the Maya. Many Maya sites can be found in the jungle. Decedents of the Maya still live in the countryside and continue to practice their traditions, speak their language and prepare their food. After the Maya came the era of European Conquistadores in the Americas and piracy in the Caribbean. Even though Belize was never conquered it was a play ground for pirates. Shipwrecks can still be found along the barrier reef. Then came the British and Belize became a colony in 1862. Present day Belize is home to Maya, Mestizo, Creoles, Gariganu, East Indians, Asians, Mennonites and Lebanese. Belize is dependent of it’s agriculture and tourism industries.

Facts:

• Population: 400,000 (approx)
• Area: 8,867 Sq. miles.
• Capital: Belmopan
• Commercial City: Belize City
• Currency: Belize Dollar ($1.00 USD = $2.00 BZD)
• Language: English (Official) Spanish (Widely Spoken) Kriol (Slang)
• International Phone Code: 501
• Time Zone: GMT- 6 hr.
• Climate: February to May is Dry. June to November is Wet but with an interruption for the months of August and September that are Dry. Both December and January can be either Dry or Wet depending on the Cold Fronts coming from the North America. But with climate change some of the weather patterns sometimes change.