 |
 |
| About Belize |
| Belize is situated on the northeast coast of Central America. The Caribbean Sea lies to the east and from the air its turquoise waters are clear, allowing the multicoloured coral formation of the Great Barrier Reef to be easily observed. Coral islands called cayes, covered with stands of mangrove trees, dot the coast. Lying in aquamarine and jade-coloured bays, these cayes protect the jungle coastline from the ravages of the sea. |
 |
| The area of the mainland and cayes is 8,866 square miles. The country's greatest length from north to south is 280 kilometres and its greatest width is 109 kilometres. The climate is sub-tropical and tempered by trade winds. Temperatures in coastal districts range from about 10*C (50*F) to about 35.6*C (96*F); inland the range is greater. The dry season usually extends from February to May and there is sometimes a dry spell in August. |
 |
 |
| The original inhabitants of Belize were hunters and gatherers. The Maya Indians populated the area from 2000 B.C. until the Spanish Conquest in the 1500s. However, many Maya groups had left the once heavily populated area in the 10th century A.D. and immigrated to the Yucatan. It was not until after the British occupied Belize that they returned. Now there are approximately 170,000 people in Belize, one-half of whom live in cities and towns along the coast. As a British colony, Belize was made up of pirates, lumbermen and their slaves. |
 |
|
 |