Belize Facts | 42 Interesting Facts About Belize That You Need to Know

42 Interesting Facts About Belize That Will Make You Fall In Love Even More

belize-facts

Belize Facts and Information

Do you know Belize? Here are some surprises facts about the country:

  1. The official language is English.

  2. In 1893, Mexico renounced its claim to Belizean Territory.

  3. The country changed its name from British Honduras to Belize in 1973.

  4. A peaceful country, Belize is tolerant to different races and religions.

  5. Belize is a top retirement destination in the world and real estate is affordable compared with Europe or North America. Cerros Sands in Northern Belize for example offers Villas, Condominiums & Land in an established beach community.

  6. Eco-tourism is a top source of revenue.

  7. Manuel Esquival of the centre-right United Democratic Party (UDP) becomes prime minister after defeating Price’s PUP in the general elections.

  8. The entire country contains 4 highways.

  9. Belize has the longest barrier reef system in the Western hemisphere.

  10. The barrier reef hosts more than 450 islands called “cays” with more than 500 species of fish.

  11. Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize and is home to the famous Victoria House Beach Resort.

  12. Lobster is a popular food in Belize.

  13. Turneffe Island Atoll is best known for  wall diving.

  14. The Lazy Lizard bar in Caye Caulker sits at a channel called the Split, formed by Hurricane Hattie in the 1960s.

  15. You can get close with nurse sharks and sting rays at Shark Ray Alley.

  16. Folklore tells of a 3-foot tall, evil dwarf called El Duende.

  17. Belize was the heart of the ancient Maya world.

  18. Tourists can visit Mayan ruins by horseback in Belize.

  19. The site of Caracol has a 140 foot high “sky palace” among its ruins.

  20. The world’s first and only Jaguar nature preserve is in Belize.

  21. Cayo District is the eco tourism capital of Belize.

  22. Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola owns two eco-resorts in Belize.

  23. High-quality food is cheap, including fruit, grains and nuts, fresh coconut water, free range chicken and eggs, natural grass fed beef.

  24. The Belize Dollar still bears the image of Queen Elizabeth II.

  25. Many Belizeans work in America or Canada and most of them retire back home.

  26. In 1970, Belmopan replaced Belize City as capital.

  27. Many retirees find inspiration, sometimes starting new careers.

  28. Volunteer organizations welcome retirees and ex-pats.

  29. In 1981, Belize becomes independent with George Price as prime minister, but Guatemala refuses to recognise it.

  30. Belize has an extensive subterranean cave system to explore.

  31. The most diverse language is Kriol (Belizean Creole).

  32. Other languages spoken in Belize include Garifuna, Mandarin, Spanish and Maya.

  33. One of the nicest things about visiting Belize is the weather.

  34. Belizeans avoid swimming on Good Friday, superstition says you will turn into a mermaid.

  35. The population is hardly bigger than a small city in the U.S.

  36. Citizens work to protect endangered species like black howler monkeys.

  37. Wild cats include jaguars, jaguarundi, pumas, ocelots and margays.

  38. Whale sharks converge in late spring off the white sand beaches of Placencia. You can book a whale shark tour with Chabil Mar.

  39. The first people to develop Belize were the Maya around 1500 B.C.E.

  40. Popular means of transportation include local airlines, buses and water taxis.

  41. There is no fast food chains like McDonalds, Burger King, Starbucks or KFC in Belize.

  42. September 10 in Belize is celebrated as the National Day or St George’s Caye Day.

Belize: a fascinating country to live.

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Get a copy of The Ultimate Belize Bucket List! Written by Larry Waight, a local with more than twenty years of experience in the travel industry, the book is packed with tips, information, and recommendations about all of the best things to see and do in Belize.
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