Belize - Wander the Planet .net

BELIZE

Belize has the tallest waterfall in Central America, the world's greatest living coral reef, and the world's only Jaguar preserve! You betta belize it! I went to Belize with my mom. Before the trip, we bought her a backpack and hiking boots and I introduced her to the world of backpacker hostels.

The cayes (pronounced keys), the offshore atolls, and the barrier reef are usually the main attraction to Belize. Belize is bordered on the North by Mexico, South and West by Guatemala, and the beautiful Caribbean Sea washes its 174 mile coastline to the East. Belize has an area of 8,866 square miles - which includes 266 square miles of islands.

Belize's capital is Belmopan and the government is a Parliamentary Democracy with a Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister, and a bi-cameral National Assembly (a House of Representatives and a Senate).

The Belizean economy is based on agricultural products which are mainly sugar, citrus, and bananas, along with marine products such as lobster, shrimp, conchs and fish. Tourism is generating income as well. The official language is English but Spanish, Creole, Maya, Garifuna and others are widely spoken.

The population is only about 200,000 of mixed ethnic groups, mainly Creole, Garifuna, Maya, European and Asian:
• Creoles - are mixed descendents of primarily Europeans and Africans and speak their own Creole language (formed 30% of the population in 1991).
• Mestizos - are Spanish-speaking descendents of the Spanish and Yucatec Mayans (over 40% of the population).
• Garifuna - are descendents of African slaves and Carribean and Arawak Indians who were exiled to the islands and coasts of Central America in the 1600's (almost 7% of the population).
• Mayans - there are three different Mayan groups including the Yucatec, Mopan, and Ketchi Mayans.
• Mennonites - began arriving from Germany and Russia in 1958 and now live in six main communities; they have their own school, church and financial institution and are farmers and capenters.

There are more than 600 known archaeological sites in Belize - which holds the greatest concentration of Mayan ruins anywhere in Central America. Supposedly, the tallest building in Belize is a Mayan temple. The Belizean barrier reef is 185 miles long and is the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. The cayes (pronounced keys) are islands that are located between the mainland and the barrier reef, on the barrier reef, and on or within the barrier reef perimeters of the offshore atolls.

Belize flag

Recommended Guide Book:

On sale for $10.49

The Belize Dollar (BZ$) has a fixed rate of exchange of BZ$2 to US$1. Most hotels, resorts, restaurants, and tour operators accept U.S. currency, traveler's checks, and/or credit cards. When using your credit cards in Belize, expect a 5% service charge. Always make sure that you understand which dollar rate is being quoted - Belize or U.S. Dollars.

The time zone in Belize is GMT-6, which is the same as US Central Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time is not observed in Belize.

The Belize Airport Departure Tax is $15 US cash.

Shops are usually open from 8:00am to noon and from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

The electricity is 110 Volts A.C., which is the same voltage as in the United States.

Postal rates to the United States are BZ$0.60 for letters and BZ$0.30 for postcards. Postal rates to Europe are BZ$0.75 for letters and BZ$0.40 for postcards.

Taxis are recognized by their green license plates and have no meters. Always agree on a price before getting in. Taxis from the Belize Int'l Airport are $15 US.

If you are going to Belize, visit the BELIZE FORUMS before your trip.