30 Interesting Facts About Belize

1. Belize is an independent country in Central America. But it is also part of the Commonwealth of Nations that makes British Queen Elizabeth II the monarch of Belize.
2. The Chiquibul Cave System in Belize is the longest in Central America. It has an area of around 540,000 square feet. (Source)
3. Around half of Belize is composed of thick forests. 80% of rainforests in Belize are under government protection. Most of these tropical forests are still unexplored.
4. There are more than 250 varieties of orchids in the rainforests of Belize. These rainforests are also full of numerous birds, wildcats, and other mammals.
5. High-quality timber of mahogany trees inspired the British to set up a colony in Belize during the 17th Century. (Source)
   
6. In 2010, Belize became the first country to completely ban bottom trawling in its waters. The step was taken to protect the Belize Barrier Reef from destruction. (Source)
7. The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS) is the world’s second-largest reef system. Charles Darwin called it the “most remarkable reef system in the West Indies.” (Source)
8. The Great Blue Hole off the coast of Belize is the world’s largest blue hole, which covers an area of 318 meters. It is also one of the deepest sea holes, having a 124 m depth.

   

   Great Blue Hole is the largest blue hole in the world

   
   
9. Belize has the lowest population density (13/km²) in Central America. However, the population growth rate (2.16% per year) of the country is the highest in the region. (Source)
10. Belize is the smallest country by population and the 2^nd smallest by area (after El Salvador) in Central America.
11. Belize has the highest percentage (around 32%) of black people in Central America. Black people of African descent form the second-highest population group in Belize after Mestizos.
12. A large number of indigenous black howler monkeys and many other animals are present around a river known as Monkey River. (Source)
13. There are more than 600 bird species in Belize. At least 11 of these species are threatened worldwide. (Source)
14. Belize is the only country in Central America without a coastline with the Pacific Ocean. 
15. Belize's former capital, Belize City, was destroyed by Hurricane Hattie in 1961. This strongest storm in Belize killed more than 400 people, and displaced thousands of others. It resulted in the construction of a new capital city 50 miles inland on high ground. (Source) 
16. Belize is the only Central American country that remained part of the British Empire (1862-1981). Due to this factor, it has the highest population of English speakers (around 37%) in Central America. It is also the only country in the region with English as an official language.
17. Belize is a full member of CELAC (Community of Latin American & Caribbean States), CARICOM (the Caribbean Community), and SICA (Central American Integration System). It is the only country having full membership in all these regional organizations.
18. Like other Central American countries, Belize is also a Christian majority country. However, the percentage (40%) of Roman Catholics in Belize is the lowest in Central America.
19. Around 2.5% of people in Belize are adherents of the Baha’i faith. It is the highest percentage of people of this faith in any country.
20. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in Belize contains the world’s first Jaguar nature reserve. 
21. Belize is the only Central American country without any volcanoes. The highest number of volcanoes (37) in Central America are in Guatemala. (Source)
22. Belize is ideal for drug traffickers and money launderers due to its geographical location and policies. The 2018 report for international narcotics control named Belize as a major country for drug trafficking and money laundering. (Source) 
23. Belize was once the heartland of the Maya Empire. Even today, many ethnic Maya live in the southern part of Belize. There are several famous ancient Maya sites to visit in Belize.

    

    Belize was the center of Maya Empire
    
    

24. The tallest building in modern Belize is a Mayan temple. The height of Caana (a Caracol Maya Site) is around 140 feet. 
25. Toledo district in the south of Belize is almost untouched. More than 20,000 indigenous Mayan people are living in this region. (Source)
26. There are just four completely paved highways in Belize. All these highways are two-lane roadways. The longest one is Philip Goldson Highway, with 95 miles (153 km) in length. (Source)
27. Belize has tense relations with its western neighbor Guatemala. Guatemala claims the southern half of Belize as its territory.
28. Currently, Belize only has one international airport. The Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport is commonly known as Belize City International Airport.
29. According to Happy Planet Index, Belize is the 27^th happiest country out of 140 countries in the world. (Source)
30. Almost 60% of Belize is covered with forests. The deforestation rate of Belize remained just 0.6% in the last two decades. Belize is planning to join REDD+ to decrease its deforestation rate further.