According to 800zipcodes, Belize is located on the Caribbean coast of Central America. Due to its tropical climate and the numerous small rivers that arise in the mountains and plateaus of the interior, the country is very fertile and covered with dense tropical rainforests. They offer visitors an incredibly diverse and colorful flora and fauna. The country has several nature reserves that offer visitors a glimpse into the nature of the country.
There are around 1,000 small islands off the coast of Belize. They are surrounded by long coral reefs, whose fascinating underwater world is ideal for diving. But it is also worthwhile to spend a beach holiday on one of the many sandy beaches in the country, which is still untouched by mass tourism.
Belize is in the immediate vicinity of Mexico and Guatemala, two countries that are also very attractive for holidaymakers. In terms of nature and culture, Belize can easily compete with its neighboring countries.
Belize has been independent since September 21, 1981. This day is celebrated every year with a huge festival. Incidentally, Belize is the only country in Central America that has no direct access to the Pacific, which in no way diminishes Belize’s tourist status.
11 percent of the population in Belize are indigenous. The mestizos (mixed race of whites and Indians) make up the largest population group in Belize today. Blacks and Creoles, descended from ex-slaves in the Lesser Antilles, make up 30 percent of the total population. These are mixed race blacks and Indians. In addition, individual Indians, Arabs, Lebanese and Chinese live in the country. Small white populations are made up of immigrants from the United States and Great Britain.
Belize – key data
Area: 22,966 km² (land: 22,806 km², water: 160 km²)
Population: 321,115 (July 2011 estimate, CIA). Population composition: Mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, others 9.7% (2000 census).
Population density: 14 people per km²
Population growth: 2.056% per year (2011, CIA)
Capital: Belmopan (14,590 residents, 2006)
Highest point: Doyle’s Delight, 1,160 m
Lowest point: Caribbean Sea, 0 m
Form of government: Belize has been a parliamentary monarchy since 1981, which is represented in the Commonwealth. The constitution dates from 1981. The bicameral parliament consists of the Senate with 8 appointed members and the House of Representatives with 29 elected members. Belize has been independent from Great Britain since September 21, 1981.
Administrative division: 6 districts: Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek and Toledo
Head of Government: Prime Minister Dean Barrow, since February 8, 2008
Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented since November 17, 1993 by Governor Sir Colville Norbert Young
Language: The official language in Belize is English. About 15% of the population speak Spanish. English Creole and several Indian languages are also widespread.
Religion: The largest group of Belize residents is Roman Catholic (49.6%), Protestants are around 27% of the population (including Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonites 4.1%, Methodists 3.5%, Jehovah’s Witnesses 1.5%), other denominations make up 14%. Approximately 9% are non-denominational (2000 census).
Local time: CET -7 h. There is no summer or winter time change in Belize.
The time difference to Central Europe is -7 h in winter and -8 h in summer.
Telephone code: +501
Internet ID:.bz
Mains voltage: 110 and 220 V, 60 Hz
Belize – geography
Belize is located in the southeast of the Yucatán Peninsula and borders Guatemala to the west, Mexico to the north and the Gulf of Honduras to the east. Except for the Maya Mountains flat to hilly hilly. In terms of size, Belize is roughly equivalent to the state of Hesse, making it the second smallest state on the American mainland after El Salvador. Despite its small size, one can find very different landscapes in Belize. Regional climatic differences, different altitudes and geological conditions created numerous different habitats for animals and plants. Thus, in Belize, 49 types of forests could be classified.
Here is a detailed topographic map of Belize.
The northern half of the country’s area is relatively flat and covered with a thin layer of soil, on which mainly bush and dense tropical hardwood forest grow. The coastal region is flat and swampy with salt and fresh water lagoons, sandy beaches and rivers. Here mainly mangroves grow, in dry areas also tussock grass, maple and cypress trees.
The coast of Belize has numerous islands (cayes) in front of it. These cayes are the highest peaks of the second largest coral reef in the world.
The central part of Belize is made up of sandy soils covered by savannahs. About 50 kilometers in the southwest of the capital Belize City, the country rises with the Mountain Pine Ridge and the densely forested Maya Mountains at 460 to 1,120 meters. The region is relatively humid, numerous watercourses, which later flow into the Macal River in the northwest, have their source here. The Macal River and the Mopan River form the main tributaries of the Belize River.
In the southern part of Belize, the rivers flow a short way to the Caribbean, as the Maya Mountains form a watershed. The banks of the rivers are often marked by cliffs and caves. The silt transported by the rivers is so fertile that the coastal belt is so fertile that citrus fruits and bananas can be grown here.
Partly evergreen, partly deciduous forests as well as tree savannahs and mangrove swamps in the coastal area characterize the flora of Belize. Pine stands grow in places on calcareous areas. Rainforest with numerous species of ferns, palms, lianas and tropical hardwoods could develop in the south of Belize due to annual precipitation of about 4,320 millimeters.
