Information about Belize
Demographics:
Belize is an ethnically diverse nation, composed of many cultures and speaking many languages. Racial tension is rare because of constant admixture among the various ethnic groups.
The Country of Belize is bordered to the south and west by Guatemala, to the north by Mexico, and to the east by the Caribbean Sea.
It is the only country in Central America where English is an official language With 8,867 square miles (22,960 km²) of territory and 301,270 people (2008 est.),[2] the population density is the lowest in the Central American region and one of the lowest in the world.
The country's population is currently estimated to be a little over 300,000.[18] Mestizos comprise about 34% of the population, Kriols 25%, Spanish 15%, Maya 11%, and Garinagu 6%.
History:
The history of Belize dates back thousands of years. Several major archeological sites reflect the advanced civilization and much denser population of that period. Before the arrival of Europeans, Belize was part of the territory of the Maya. The Mopan Maya were the original inhabitants of Belize. The Maya civilization spread itself over Belize beginning around 1500 BC and flourished until about AD 900. It is estimated that in the late classic period of Maya civilization (before A.D. 1000), as many as 400,000 people may have lived in the area of Belize.
Some lowland Maya still occupied the area when Europeans arrived. Over the next 150 years, more English settlements were established. Piracy, indiscriminate logging, and sporadic attacks by Indians and neighboring Spanish settlements also marked this period.
Great Britain first sent an official representative to the area in the late 18th century, but Belize was not formally termed the "Colony of British Honduras" until 1840. It became a crown colony in 1862. Subsequently, several constitutional changes were enacted to expand representative government. Constitutional reforms were initiated in 1954 and resulted in a new constitution ten years later. Britain granted British Honduras self-government in 1964, and the head of the PUP—independence leader George Price—became the colony’s prime minister. British Honduras was officially renamed Belize in June 1973, and full independence was granted on September 21, 1973.
Tourism:
The Belize Barrier Reef, the largest in the Western hemisphere, extends 190 extraordinary miles from north to south. This natural wonder has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Three pristine atolls augment the reef, hundreds of coral encrusted cayes (islands) and patch coral which contribute another 220 miles of reef to explore from above or below. Savvy anglers, divers, snorkelers, kayakers and sailors have long been drawn to our shores.
Due the nation's vast variety of attractions, tourism is a growing sector of Belize's economy. Several areas in Belize are ranked as top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations in the world.
Ambergris Caye has been consistently ranked in the Top 3 based on marine life and Top 5 based on big animal encounters by a reputable scuba diving magazine. Belize is also famous for its rainforest jungles and large selection of well-preserved Mayan ruins on the mainland. The most popular ruin trips are to Lamanai and Altun Ha. Other spectacular ruins can be seen at Caracol, Xunantunich and Tikal in nearby Guatemala. Adventure travelers also enjoy cave tubing, zip lining and a host of other adventures. Nature activities, such as bird watching and a trip to the Belize zoo, are popular with travelers of all ages.
Development costs are high, but the Government of Belize has designated tourism as its second development priority after agriculture. In 2007, tourist arrivals totaled 251,655 (more than 210,000 from the U.S.) and tourist receipts amounted to $183.3 million.
