Belize is a nation on the eastern coast of Central America, with Caribbean Sea shorelines to the east and dense jungle to the west. Offshore, the massive Belize Barrier Reef, dotted with hundreds of low-lying islands called cayes, hosts rich marine life. Belize’s jungle areas are home to Mayan ruins like Caracol, renowned for its towering pyramid; lagoon-side Lamanai; and Altun Ha, just outside Belize City.
The flag of Belize features the national coat of arms. The design of the coat of arms centers around the logging industry, which is why this nation was first settled. In addition to the national coat of arms, the flag pays further homage to the logging industry with a design that includes a mahogany tree and a mestizo man and African man holding up the coat of arms.
The colors of the flag are used to represent the national parties of this nation: the People’s United Party and the United Democratic Party. The flag of Belize also features the national motto, Sub Umbra Floreo. In English, this means, “Under the shade I flourish.”
The design of the flag also includes 50 leaves. These leaves are used in reference to 1950 – the year that the People’s United Party gained power.
| Capital | Belmopan 17°15′N 88°46′W |
|---|---|
| Largest city | Belize City |
| Official languages | English |
| Recognized languages | |
| Ethnic groups | |
| Religion |
|
| Currency | Belize dollar (BZD) |
|---|
Area: 8,867 sq mi (New Jersey 8,729 mi²)
Population: 408,487 (new Jersey 8.909 million)
| Demonym(s) | Belizean |
|---|---|
| Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
• Monarch
| Elizabeth II |
| Colville Young | |
| Dean Barrow | |
Flight: NYC to Belize City - 4h, 53mins nonstop - $573.00
Weather: 83 degrees, showers/thunderstorms
Current Time: 12:15pm (1 hour behind us)
Gibnut
El Sisimito
Black Orchid
Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye, Belize's largest island (24.8 MILES), is known for its water sports, scuba diving and Caribbean beaches. Off the eastern shore, the Belize Barrier Reef features famed snorkeling and dive sites such as the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, with an abundance of sea life, and the 124m-deep Great Blue Hole. The town of San Pedro is the island's gateway and center for sailing and reef exploration.
The Great Blue Hole is a giant marine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 70 km from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is circular in shape, 318 m across and 124 m deep.
HURRICANE HATTIE
While Belizean Independence Day is on September 21, the Battle of St. George's Caye Day is on September 10 and typically marks the beginning of celebrations. On that day, radio stations begin to play patriotic music and people wear the country's colors.
Today mahogany wood is found in almost every home in Belize and is a choice wood for local artisans in Corozal. There currently exists in our remote areas and forests of Belize, many very large trees yet to be publicized. There are also many other such trees throughout the country of Belize.
Baby Mountain Cow
Mountain Cow
Doyle's Delight
El Castillo
Nurse Shark
Gladden Spit
Barton Creek Cave
The Jabiru Stork is the tallest standing bird in the Americas at 5 feet in height and an 8 foot wingspan. Its heavy bill is about 12 inches long perfectly designed to catch fish, frogs and snakes.
