About Carmelita - Culture, Geography & Economy
Reefs, Ruins, Rainforests, and Rivers
People & Lifestyle
Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America and has one of the smallest populations in the world (approximately 300,000). It's an entire country that feels like a small town. Originally it was a land of lumberjacks and farmers, it is now a world-class eco-tourism destination. It's a natural playground for the tourists, expats and citizens of this diverse country. There's no other place on earth where you can swim on the world's largest living barrier reef, stand in awe of 2,000 year old Maya cities, go horseback riding among Howler Monkeys and float through caves in a canoe, all in the same country.
Geography & Climate
Belize is known for its "4R's" - Reefs, Ruins, Rainforests and Rivers. Set amidst a sub-tropical climate these natural wonders attract people from every corner of the globe. The Belize Barrier Reef is the largest in the Western Hemisphere and in 1997 was declared a World Heritage Site. Belize has the largest underground cave system in the Western Hemisphere, thought by the Maya to be the Underworld and today home to amazing archaeological sites. Nearly 50% of the land in Belize is in protected forest reserves and national parks. The rivers were once the highways for the Maya and today the annual Ruta Maya, a four day canoe race on the Belize River, honors that past.
Government & Economy
Geographically, Belize is in Central America, yet its strongest ties are to the English-speaking Caribbean. The country gained its independence on September 21, 1981 and remains a member of The British Commonwealth of Nations. While Belize was a colony, the British established a stable government, an English-based educational system, world class banking, secure international business structures and a legal system tied to the highest court in Great Britain. Today the country's biggest trading partner is the United States and the Belize dollar is pegged to the U.S. dollar 2:1. The leading industries in Belize are agriculture and eco-tourism.
