Experience the rich culture of Belize, Central America |
|
Belize is a small nation on the eastern coast of Central America, on the Caribbean Sea bordered by Mexico to the northwest and Guatemala to the west and south. The country is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy which recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as Sovereign. The nation of Honduras lies 75 km away (47 mi) across the Gulf of Honduras to the east. The name is derived from the Belize River, after which Belize City, the former capital and largest city, is also named. In Spanish it is usually called Belice. Known as British Honduras until 1973, Belize was a British colony for more than a century. It became an independent nation in 1981. Belize is a member of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Sistema de Integracion Centro Americana (SICA) and considers itself to be both Caribbean, and Central American
Belize is located between
the
Hondo and
Sarstoon
Rivers, with the
Belize River flowing down in
the centre of the country. The north of Belize consists mostly
of flat, swampy coastal plains, in places heavily forested. The
south contains the low
mountain range of the
Maya Mountains, whose
Victoria Peak is the highest
point in Belize at 1,160
metres (3,806 ft).
The
Caribbean coast is lined with a
coral reef and islands known
locally as cayes, pronounced "keys". Belize is home to the
longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere and the second
longest in the world after the
Great Barrier Reef. The
climate is
tropical and generally very hot
and humid. The rainy season lasts from May to November and
hurricanes and
floods are frequent natural
hazards.
|
|