Latin America Collection

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, borders on Mexico and
Guatemala, and comprises a area of about 9,000 square miles. Its greatest
length is about 175 miles north to south. Its widest point is about 70 miles.
It is the only country where English is the official primary language.
The largest ethnic group in the country are the Black Creoles who speak
Creole English or their own dialect. Spanish is the popular second language.
During the 1700s, Britain settled into the country, and in 1862, declared it
a colony of Great Britain. Due to economic and political pressures, on
September 21, 1981 Britain loosened its hold, and Belize was declared an
independent nation. Guatemala had always considered Belize as one of
its "departments" (states), but in 1991, Belize was formally recognized as
an independent nation.

The Northern coastal plain of Belize is swampy, flat and hot. Along the
Western edge of the country are the Maya mountains with lush growth up
to its 3,000 foot elevation. The Southern section is low, hot and humid with
an abundance of rainfall like most other costal areas. Along the off-shore
coast are many islands called "Cayes" (pronounced keys), and the longest
barrier reef in the Western hemisphere ( the fifth longest coral barrier reef
after Australia's Great Barrier Reef). It has become a popular place for
scuba divers, as miles of the reef are only about 15 feet deep out to the cayes.
This area is rapidly becoming a tourist mecca, which is a valuable asset for
the economy of the country.

The country's good weather, lovely beaches, sparkling clear 85 degree
water, easy immigration laws and residency requirements and low cost of
living have made the country a mecca for foreigners. Like Guatemala and
Costa Rica, Belize has an expatriate community. If you are interested we
suggest you read "The Belize Retirement Guide" we list in the back of this
book.

Presently, forestry is the major source of income, although sugar growing
and processing is a very important source that contributes to the economy
of Belize.

Belize City
is the Country's largest city and has a population of around
70,000. It was the capital until 1961 when a major hurricane destroyed a
large part of the city. It was then decided to move the capital to another
location that was not so much at the mercy of hurricanes. A new capitol
was built in Belmopan, which is located almost in the center of the country.
However, Belize City is still considered the country's main city. The city itself
is not very attractive and with its wooden houses and is really nothing more
than an overgrown shanty town. It has its share of hotels, restaurants, bars
and night spots. There is a lot of theft, so watch your belongings.

Belize City still has some consulates, although there is a move for them
to relocate in the new capital of the country. If you plan to drive from Belize
to Guatemala, be sure to obtain your visa for Guatemala before arriving in
Belize. You still have time to get it before you leave Mexico, as there is a
Guatemalan Embassy in Chetumal, Mexico, right on the Mexican-Belize
border.
The Cayes
(pronounced "keys") are the many islands that are off-shore
along the coast of Belize. There are over 212 square miles of cayes. The
two most popular ones are Caye Cauker and Ambergris Caye. Caye
Cauker, is the less expensive of the two. This tiny island lies only 21 miles
from Belize City. It is your basic affordable tropical island paradise with
a permanent population of under 1000 people. Fishing, specifically
loberstering, is the main industry of this small island but tourism is on the
rise. There is great scuba diving, with underwater visibility some 50 to 75
yards. There are underwater caves that are very interesting as well as
challenging, but you should have an experienced guide with you. Check
with the dive shops for both the necessary equipment and guides. Because
the water on the west side of the cayes is so shallow--averaging about 15
feet-- it is quite warm. Beaches are practically non-existent, so sun bathing
is best on the docks or in the deck chairs of your hotel. This small island
boasts a large number of small cafes and restaurants.
Ambergris Caye
is the largest of the cayes. and the most popluated
and developed. Its principal town is San Pedro which has a populaion of
2,000. For years this town has been the main tourist attraction of Belize. It
has become the hideaway for the Europen "Jet-Set" and was even featured
on the program "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." Prices are slightly higher
than at Caye Caulker, but are still a good vacation bargain.

The diving here is first-rate with some of the most beautiful underwater
scenery in the world. Sponges and coral abound and the visibility is
extraordinary most of the year. The nearby Belize reef is littered with
shipwrecks and a great place to explore. You can even take diving lessons
at one of the many dive shops in the area. If you want to stay on land there
are areas where you can beachcomb for shells. There are over 50 hotels, discos
and bars with good nightlife. Information on hotels, restaurants and
equipment rental may be found in the guidebooks: Central America on a
Shoestring, The Belize Retirement Guide and The New Key to Belize. See
the ad at the end of this book for more details about these guidebooks.
Belmopan
is a new city that was built to become the capital after
Hurricane Hattie in 1961. It is located in the geographical center of the
country and 50 miles from Belize City. The population is only 4000 and
there isn't a whole lot to do at night. It is a complietely planned city with
no wooden structures permitted. Nearby Guanacaste Park nature preserve
is a nice excursion. The Department of Archaeology is a building where
tourists can view Mayan artefacts.

Many Mayan artefacts have been found in Belize's Mayan Ruins. Major
Mayan sites include Xuantunich ('Maiden of the Rock'), the most important
site located located in southern Belize on the Mayan route to the Caribbean
from Tikal, Guatemala. There are classical Mayan ruins found there with
beautiful surroundings. In southern Belize are the ruins of Lubanntun.
('Fallen Stones') This site dates from about 900A.D. and was the major
cermonial site in southern Belize. It is from the late Mayan period and
therefore considered unique. Eleven main structures are grouped around
five main plazas. There are also three ball courts. The tallest structure rises
50 feet above the plaza, from which you can see the Caribbean Sea. More
Mayan sites ahve recently been discovered, like Uxbenka found in 1984.
There are other new sites being unearthered which should be of interested
to travellers interested in the Mayan Civilization. Archaeologists say that
Belize's forests still contain hundreds of unexcavated Mayan sites.

When crossing the border to Guatemala, the town nearest the border
on the Belize side is Benque Viejo del Carmen. The borders are usually
open from 8 a.m. to noon and 2 to 6p.m. You can get through during the
off hours but will be charged an extra fee. Money may also be exchanged
before crossing into Guatemala or on the other side of the border. On the
Guatemalan side is the city of Melchor de Mencos, where you will clear
customs into the country of Guatemala. Like other border crossings be sure
all of your papers are in order to avoid delays. Don't forget to read our section
on border crossings Apply the same general rules and common sense when
entering Belize from Mexico via Chetumal and exiting the country.
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