ABOUT BELIZE

Belize is good for your blood pressure...

This tiny nation is so laid-back it's almost comatose.

Dabbling its toes in the Caribbean Sea,Belize has more in common with its island neighbors than the fiery volatility of Central America - its history is thoroughly coup-free. Soak up the glorious natural wonders and rich cultural history.

Unpaved roads, high prices and a lack of infrastructure make it a difficult place to travel, but Belize compensates with brilliant diving, dramatic ruins and pristine jungle - secluded eco-lodges cater for sedentary adventurers. The English-speaking population is mainly Creole and Mestizos (mixed descent).

--Lonely Planet

FAST FACTS   Full Name: Belize (formerly British Honduras) Capital City: Belmopan Area: 22,966 sq km (8,867 sq miles) Population: 287,730 Languages: English (official)                      Spanish (other)                    Crioulo (other)                      Garífuna (other) Religion: 49.6% Roman Catholic, 27% Protestant, 23.4% other Currency: Belize Dollar (BZ$) Government:  Parliamentary Democracy Economy GDP (2005): $1.79 billion. Annual growth rate (2005): 5.1%; (2004): 9.2%. Per capita income (2005): $3,650. Avg. inflation rate (2006): 4.3%. Natural resources: Arable land, timber, seafood, minerals.

BELIZE TRAVEL ARTICLE:  "People You Meet - Chocolate & the Manatee"

 CULTURE & HISTORY

The Maya built breathtaking temple complexes aligned to the movement of celestial bodies. Although they remained technically a Stone Age culture, they developed sophisticated mathematics, astronomy and calendars. Much later, the Spanish constructed some plain stone churches, but the modern architecture is predominantly British-Caribbean in style.

Belize is officially English-speaking, but the Creoles speak their own colorful dialect as well as standard English. Spanish is the main language in the north and in some towns in the west. You may also hear Mayan, Chinese, Mennonite German, Lebanese, Arabic, Hindi and Garifuna (the language of the Garifuna people of Stann Creek District) being spoken.

The majority of Belize's inhabitants are Roman Catholic, but British influence has created a sizable and varied Protestant congregation, including German-Swiss Mennonites. The Mayan practice of Catholicism is a fascinating fusion of shamanist-animist and Christian ritual. 

Belize doesn't really have all that much in the way of nightlife. The capital city is small and relatively quiet by most international standards. .

 FLORA & FAUNA 

 CURRENT LISTINGS