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According to localcollegeexplorer, Belize has a rich and vibrant history that dates back to the ancient Maya civilization. This civilization occupied the area for thousands of years and left an indelible mark on the culture and landscape of the country. In 1524, Spanish explorer Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba arrived in Belize and claimed it as part of the Spanish Empire. The British, however, would soon gain control of the area and maintained it as a colony until 1981 when Belize gained its independence. In 1638, British settlers began arriving in what is now Belize City to establish a trading post for mahogany, chicle, and other goods. The settlement was heavily fortified against Spanish attacks but still faced periodic raids. In 1763, Belize was officially declared a British settlement by King George III and became known as British Honduras. For the next century and a half, Britain maintained control over Belize while its population slowly grew with immigrants from North America and Europe as well as refugees from Central American wars. In 1964, an armed group known as People’s United Party began agitating for independence from Britain which led to a series of protests throughout the 1970s that eventually resulted in independence on September 21st 1981 when British Honduras changed its name to Belize. Since then, Belize has experienced several internal conflicts such as border disputes with Guatemala but has remained relatively stable due to strong foreign investment in tourism and agriculture which have driven economic growth since independence. In 2010, Belize was a small country located in Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the south and west. It had an area of approximately 22,966 square kilometers and a population of around 324,000 people. The capital city was Belmopan which had a population of around 18,000 people in 2010. English is the official language spoken in Belize however Spanish is also widely spoken across the country as well as some Mayan languages such as Yucatec Maya and Mopan Maya. The currency used at that time was called Belize Dollar (BZD) but US Dollars were also accepted in many places too. Belize’s economy was largely based on tourism, which accounted for over 25% of GDP in 2010 and included activities such as fishing, diving and snorkeling due to its amazing natural resources such as coral reefs and tropical rainforests. In addition to this there had also been an increase focus on developing industry within Belize itself such as agriculture, manufacturing and construction during this period too. In terms of culture, Belize has always been proud of its rich cultural heritage which includes traditional music from both Maya and Garifuna cultures as well as traditional dances such as punta which are still popular today. Religion is an important part of life for many people with most practicing Protestant Christianity but there is also significant representation from other religions such as Catholicism and Hinduism within the country’s population too. Check estatelearning for Belize in 1999.

Belize State Overview
Belize State Overview

Belize State Overview

Data of interest The capital of Belize is Belmopan, since 1970, the old capital, Belize City, was abandoned because of the hurricanes. The official language is English, although Spanish is mostly spoken. The form of government is a parliamentary democracy, whose head of state is the monarch of the United Kingdom, since it is part of the Commonwealth. The currency is the Belizean dollar and is in the UTC time zone. Relief Its relief is divided into four sectors. The north is a natural extension…

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Belize Wildlife
Belize Wildlife and Economy

Belize Wildlife and Economy

Animals and Plants What animals live in Belize? The largest predator in Belize is the jaguar. Its relatives such as the jaguarundi, the puma and the ocelot are smaller. Other predators are the gray fox, the coyote, the Central American cat frett, the long-tailed weasel and the tayra. The Eastern Spotted Skunk is just as indigenous to Belize as the Central American tapir, also known as the Baird tapir. The tapir is the largest mammal in Belize and is considered…

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Belize
Belize Guide

Belize Guide

Belize – Country Information Country name Belize Official name Belize Capital Belmopan Continent North America Area 22,966 km2 Population 349,728 (2013) Foundation of a state 9/21/1981 The highest mountains Victoria Peak 1122 m Longest rivers Honda 225 km State system constitutional monarchy with a bicameral parliament The biggest cities Belize 50,000, Belmopan (Capital) 4,500 Official language English Ethnicity/National Composition Mestizo 44%, Creole 30%, Mayan 11%, Garifuna 6.5%, White 4%, Indian 3.5% Religious affiliation Roman Catholic 58%, Protestant 28.5%, other Christian…

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