BELIZE

BELIZE

Two main cities are in Belize. One is Belmopan in the centre of Belize. The other cities are Belize City. The capital of Belize is Belmopan but it has only a population of 4000. Belize City has 50,000 and lies on the coast. Belize was formerly called British Honduras until the Independence in 1981.

Dating back to the early 1600, Belize City was built at the mouth of the Belize River because of the logwood forests inland. The textile industry used the logwood for dyes. The demand for logwood remained till 19th century. After that coal tar dyes were used because it was cheaper. Nowadays, their export is timber for furniture, sugar, citrus, fruits, bananas and lobsters which boost the country's economy.

BELIZE BARRIER REEF

Off the coast of Belize are many small coral islands. They are called cayes (or keys) and have the second longest coral barrier reef in the world, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The country is low-lying with thick forest and mangrove swamps. The Maya mountains are in the south.

The population is from African slaves brought over by white settlers to work in the forests. There is also a big population of Spanish-American and a minority of Mayan Indian.

In 1923 a manually operated swing bridge was built in Liverpool, England and installed over the Haulover Creek in Belize City. This bridge is operated twice a day to enable boats passing along the Creek.

They are building 'dream holiday' cottages by idyllic beaches to develop the tourist trade. These cottages, beaches and the many ancient Mayan Indian sites in the interior seemed to attract tourism.

HIGH TEMPLE 
NEAR LAMANAI

British troops were stationed there after Belize gained independence in 1981. However, as the relations with the neighbouring country of Guatemala improved, the British troops withdrew.

GREAT BIG HOLE NEAR AMBERGRISS CAYO