33 Facts About Belize

Belize, officially the Republic Belize, is a country located on the eastern coast of Central America. 

Belize has an area of 22,966 square km. 

Belmopan is its capital and Belize City is its largest city. 

English is the official language of Belize. 

Belize dollar is its official currency. 

Belize's land bordering countries are Mexico and Guatemala.

Gibnut, a rodent, is Belize's most prized culinary delicacy. It's also known as the "royal rat" because it was served to Queen Elizabeth.

Belize is often called the “Jewel in the Heart of the Caribbean” because of its rich natural beauty and biodiversity. Its national motto, “Under the Shade I Flourish,” reflects the importance of forests and nature to the country’s identity.

Belizean culture includes strong storytelling traditions and folklore. Legendary characters such as El Sisimito appear in local myths and are part of the country’s oral heritage.

Belizeans are generally known for a relaxed, friendly lifestyle, with many people living in small towns and villages where social life is closely tied to family and community.

More than 90 percent of Belizeans are literate, and many people speak more than one language, commonly English, Spanish, and Belizean Creole. English is the official language, making Belize unique in Central America.

The black orchid is Belize’s national flower, and the tapir, locally called the mountain cow, is the national animal.

Belizean cuisine reflects its multicultural roots, with influences from Mayan, Caribbean, Mexican, and European traditions. Rice, beans, seafood, and stewed meats are common, along with tropical fruits.

The Belize Barrier Reef, part of the larger Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, is the second-largest reef system in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It includes protected areas such as Half Moon Caye, Glover’s Reef, and the Great Blue Hole.

Belize was once home to a thriving Maya civilization, and the country contains hundreds of ancient Maya sites, including Caracol, Xunantunich, and Lamanai.

Modern Belize developed as a British colony known as British Honduras, mainly supplying timber to the empire. It gained independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1981.

The capital city was moved inland after Hurricane Hattie devastated Belize City in 1961. The new capital, Belmopan, was built about 80 kilometers inland for safety from future storms.

Belize’s population is ethnically diverse, including Mestizo, Creole, Garifuna, Maya, Mennonite, and East Indian communities, shaped by migration and refuge from conflict in neighboring regions.

Three of Belize’s national heroes are George Cadle Price, regarded as the Father of the Nation, Philip Goldson, a journalist and political leader, and Monrad Metzgen, an early nationalist figure.

St. George’s Caye Day, celebrated on 10 September, commemorates a key battle in 1798, while Independence Day is celebrated on 21 September each year.

Belize’s economy is based mainly on tourism, agriculture, and agro-processing, with important products including sugar, citrus fruits, bananas, and seafood.

Belize is the only mainland country in Central America with no coastline on the Pacific Ocean, as all its coast lies along the Caribbean Sea.

The country has experienced deforestation over past decades, but large areas are now protected. Belize is part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, linking ecosystems from Mexico to Panama.

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is famous as the world’s first jaguar reserve and plays a major role in jaguar conservation.

Belize has over 450 cayes (small islands), many of which are uninhabited and protected as marine or wildlife reserves.

The Great Blue Hole is one of the world’s most famous marine sinkholes and a major destination for divers. It was popularized internationally after being explored by Jacques Cousteau in the 1970s.

Cocoa production is important in southern Belize, especially in the Toledo District, where cacao farming and chocolate-making traditions remain strong.

Belize has one of the lowest population densities in Central America, with much of the land covered by rainforest, wetlands, and protected areas.

The country is known for its wildlife, including the jabiru stork, the largest flying bird in the Americas, and the howler monkey, famous for its loud calls that can travel several kilometers through the forest.

Belize has extensive cave systems used both for adventure tourism and for archaeological study, as many caves were sacred sites to the ancient Maya.

Gladden Spit is a popular site for spotting whale sharks, especially during certain full-moon periods when fish spawn.

Hurricanes and tropical storms regularly affect Belize, and the hurricane season runs from June to November, shaping much of the country’s infrastructure planning and disaster preparedness.

Belize continues to attract visitors for its coral reefs, rainforests, Maya ruins, and relaxed Caribbean atmosphere, making tourism one of its most important industries.