All About Belize
By Kelly
Background Information
Major Cities: Belize City, San Ignacio, Orange Walk, Corozal
History: Belize was once controlled by the United Kingdom. After England agreed to free them, they began a process to free them and Belize gained independence on September 21, 1981. They are no longer controlled by another country, but are a part of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth acknowledges the British monarch as their leader.
Official Language: English
The Flag: The flag was adopted September 21, 1981. The red, white, and blue stands for the unity of the nation. The coat of arms refers back to the British settlement in Belize that was created from their logging industry. "Sub Umbra Floreo" is their motto and means "I Flourish in the Shade."
Political Information
Leaders: Head of State - Queen Elizabeth II, Head of Government - Prime Minister Dean Barrow
Economic Information
Economic System: Capitalism
Geographical Information
Physical Features: The land is flat with swampy coastal plains and low mountains in the south.
Tourism
What should tourists see and do? They can go snorkeling and/or diving at the world's Great Barrier Reef, explore the Mayan Ruins, and go sightseeing.
Mayan Ruins
The Great Blue Hole
Great Barrier Reef
Interesting Facts
- It is the first country in the world to have a jaguar nature preserve.
- Their Great Barrier Reef is the 2nd largest in the world.
- It is the only country in Central America where English is its official language.
Citations
Websites
"Belize Facts." Facts about Belize. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <http://www.mapsofworld.com/belize/facts.html>.
"National Symbols of Belize, Belize National Symbols." National Symbols of Belize, Belize National Symbols. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <http://www.belmopancityonline.com/belize-national-symbols.aspx>.
"Central America and Caribbean :: Belize." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, 25 Feb. 2016. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bh.html>.
"Belize Travel and Country Guide - Belize.com." N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <http://belize.com/>
"Subscriber Area Only." CultureGrams Online Database: Subscriber Area Only. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <http://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country.php?cid=19>.
"Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary." Belize Audubon Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <http://www.belizeaudubon.org/?page_id=3605>.
"Belize Barrier Reef." Belize Barrier Reef. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <http://www.chaacreek.com/belize-barrier-reef>.
"Great Blue Hole." Atlas Obscura. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/great-blue-hole>.
"The Top Ten Maya Sites In Belize - Descriptions and How To Get There." N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <http://www.belize.com/top-ten-maya-sites-in-belize>.
"Short History of Belize." Short History of Belize. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <http://www.chaacreek.com/short-history-belize>.
Photos
"Belize Map - Political Map of Belize." Political Map of Belize. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <http://www.ezilon.com/maps/north-america/belize-maps.html>.
"Belize Barrier Reef." Belize Barrier Reef. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <http://www.chaacreek.com/belize-barrier-reef>.
"Belize Facts." On Largest Cities, Populations, Symbols. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/camerica/belize/bzfacts.htm>.
"Things to Do in Puerto Morelos Mexico." Things to Do in Puerto Morelos Mexico. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <http://villamateo.com/things-do/>.
"Belize Flag Pictures." Belize Flag Pictures. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <http://www.flagpictures.org/belize.htm>.
N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.carolinebach.com/2014/05/>.
"Tag Archives: Travel." Los Caracoles BnB Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016. <http://www.loscaracolesbnb.com/blog/tag/travel/>.