History                                                                                                                  

Formally British Honduras, Belize has a rich history starting with the great Maya civilization through pirates, buccaneers and slavery, to modern day Independence and democracy.

Belize is located south of the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula, and east of Guatemala's northern Peten Province. Consisting of approximately 9,000 square miles, it is a country approximately the size of the state of Massachusetts. With the Caribbean Sea being the eastern border, Belize has an extensive low-lying coastal plain, with the elevation and topography changing as you travel west. The country is traversed at the midsection by the Maya Mountains, the highest point being 4020 feet above sea level. With large tracts of rainforest, pine forest and savannah, Belize contains a diversity of flora and fauna to rival anything offered in countries further south. Included in the overall territory is the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, second only to The Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Skirting the length of the reef is a multitude of pristine islands (locally called Cayes), which possess some of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the Caribbean. Located outside of the reef are three of the world's four atolls that offer tropical vistas normally seen only on postcards.

English is the official language of Belize, and is spoken by the vast majority of the population, as well as its derivative, Creole. Spanish is the second most widely used idiom, followed by Garifuna, Ketchi Maya, Mopan Maya and Yucatec Maya. The small Mennonite communities speak German and German dialects while the growing Asian community speaks Mandarin.

Belize enjoys a subtropical climate with brisk prevailing winds from the Caribbean Sea. Temperatures average at around 80 degrees.

Creole, a mixture of European and African, were the traditional majority up until the recent influx of refugees during the 1980's as a result of conflicts in the neighboring republics. The balance now appears to be shifting towards the Hispanic and Mestizos populations. Additionally, the indigenous Maya have a strong presence in most rural areas of the country, with the Garifuna people settled mainly along the southern coastline. East Indians, Europeans, Mennonite, Chinese and North Americans also make up the rich tapestry of cultures that is Belize. With a population of almost 250,000, there is plenty of room for all to enjoy.

The Belize Dollar is worth $0.50c U.S. This makes for a simple exchange of 2 Belizean Dollars for 1 U.S. Dollar. Major credit cards are accepted widely. U.S. Dollars are accepted everywhere at the above stated exchange rate. Carrying cash in small denominations is recommended, avoiding the receipt of change in local currency.