Belize

Overview

Belize lies in Central America on the Caribbean coast, between Mexico and Guatemala, with much of its territory covered by rainforest. It is the only country in the region where English is the official language, a legacy of its British colonial history, when the territory was known as British Honduras until independence in 1981. The population is ethnically diverse, including Mestizo, Creole, Maya, and Garifuna communities, the latter descending from a mix of African and indigenous Caribbean roots with its own language and musical traditions. Belize was once part of the ancient Maya civilization's core territory, and numerous ruined cities remain scattered across the country's interior.

The Belize Barrier Reef, part of the Mesoamerican Reef system, is the second-longest contiguous coral reef in the world and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996. The Great Blue Hole, a circular marine sinkhole about 300 meters in diameter, was brought to international attention by Jacques Cousteau in the 1970s and remains one of the most iconic diving sites in the region. Caracol, the largest excavated Maya site in Belize, was once one of the region's most significant cities, and its pyramids remain among the tallest structures in the country today. Xunantunich, near the western border, is another major Maya site, with its central pyramid offering views into neighboring Guatemala.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary was the world's first reserve created specifically to protect jaguars, though sightings of the animal remain rare due to its elusive nature. The ATM Cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal), a former Maya ceremonial site, contains human skeletal remains and pottery believed to have been placed there as sacrificial offerings. Local cuisine blends Caribbean, Maya, and Mestizo influences, with rice and beans cooked in coconut milk as a signature dish, typically served with fish or chicken and the local habanero-based Marie Sharp's hot sauce.