Belize

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Activities

Belize is an outdoor enthusiast playground with snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, wind sailing, kayaking, canoeing, biking, hiking, cave exploring, river tubing, white-water rafting, jungle expeditions, fishing, bird watching, deep mountain forest camping and more. The Belize Barrier Reef has been named one of the "Seven Wonders of the Underwater World" by CEDAM International and Belize is home to ancient Mayan temples as well as some of the most exotic plant, animal and trees species on the planet.

Green Sea Turtle and Sting Ray

Climate

Belize has a tropical Caribbean climate that is warm, humid and controlled in large part by the Atlantic trade winds. Along the coastline, temperatures average around 22°C in January and 25°C in July. As the trade winds loose strength moving inland, the mainland areas will see summer temperatures in excess of 38°C. The dry season is the most attractive time of year for tourists and generally runs from December through May. The rainy season extends from June through November and brings varying amounts of precipitation. The Corozal District in the north may only see 50 cm of rain, while Punta Gorda to the south may see in excess of 170 cm per annum. Notwithstanding the heavy wind, rain and flooding from a passing hurricane, Belize has delightfully consistent weather patterns.

Coastline and Rain Forests

Culture

Belize is the most sparsely populated country in Central America. Despite a majority of the citizenry being 18 years of age or younger, Belize possesses an impressive 94% literacy rate. The country is multi-cultural with resident ethnic groups such as the Mestizo, Creole, Mayan, Caribe and Garifuna. Belizians have one of the highest birth rates in the worlds, with an average of four children per family and a life expectancy of 68.3 years. The predominant religion in Belize is Christianity with Roman Catholics and Protestants making up the two primary denominations. Belize is unique in Central and South America in that English is the official language. This fact makes international business and tourism favorable for attracting many Americans, Canadians and Europeans to Belize over Spanish speaking countries.

Sunset and Beachfront Property

Economy
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Financial and Offshore Services

Belize is a member of the British Commonwealth, United Nations, WTO, IMF and other international organizations. The Queen of England is the head of state and formally represented in Belize by the Governor General. The national assembly, comprised of the house of representatives and the senate, carries out the duties of the legislative branch of the Belizian parliamentary democracy. The executive branch is overseen by the government and the prime minister. Belize is divided into 6 administrative districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stan Creek and Toledo. Belize is known for its exports of tropical agrarian products including bananas, citrus, fish, sugar and timber. Belize has a very long 6 month tourist season attracting hundreds of thousands of people from around the world. The Belize International Business Companies Act in 1990 has steadily given rise to a strong financial offshore services economy. When Belize refused to cower to unjust pressure by the United States to reveal confidential client information, they eventually exonerated after years of international isolation as a respected member of the offshore financial services community. The primary commercial banks in Belize are the Alliance Bank, Atlantic Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia, Belize Bank and the First Caribbean International Bank. Asset Protection Services International, SRL offers incorporation services for International Business Companies in Belize.

Belize City and Coastal Homes

Geography

Belize is the northern most country in Central America. Located along the southeast part of the Yucatan peninsula, the entire east coast of Belize faces the Caribbean Sea. Belize is a seaside country spanning 280 kilometers from north to south and 105 kilometers from east to west. Much of the Hondo river creates a natural borderline between Belize and Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. The highest point in Belize is Victoria Peak standing 1,120 meters above sea level in the Maya Mountains. The Belize River, also known as the Old River, is the nation's largest and most historic waterway. Navigable up to the Guatemalan border, the Belize River allows for goods and services to be transported deep inland and gave rise to the name of Belize City, which is situated near the mouth of the trade route. Over 90% of Belize is saturated with virgin tropical rain forests, rich in flora, fauna and precious species of timber. Belize boasts hundreds of picturesque islands, islets, cayes, a 322 kilometer barrier reef (largest in the northern hemisphere and second largest in the world) and the biggest sinkhole on earth known as the Blue Hole.

Blue Hole and Sandy Island

History

The ancient Mayan civilization inhabited Belize for centuries with a population at one point believed to exceed 400,000 people. Europeans came to know of modern day Belize City with the discovery by Christopher Columbus in 1502. Due to the resilience of the inland natives, it wasn't until 1786 that the British government was able to appoint a Quartermaster General representative to Belize for the first time. In 1862 Belize was officially declared a British Colony and was renamed "British Honduras" and continued under this name for more than 100 years. When the demand for internationally exported timber diminished in the twentieth century Belizians rose up and gained their independence as a nation in 1964. In 1973 the country renamed itself Belize and in 1980 the United Nations adopted a special resolution officially recognizing Belize as an independent sovereign nation.

Jaguar Temple and Goffs Caye