42 Interesting Facts About Belize That Will Make You Fall In Love Even More
Belize Facts and Information
Do you know Belize? Here are some surprises facts about the country:
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The official language is English.
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In 1893, Mexico renounced its claim to Belizean Territory.
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The country changed its name from British Honduras to Belize in 1973.
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A peaceful country, Belize is tolerant to different races and religions.
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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.
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Eco-tourism is a top source of revenue.
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Manuel Esquival of the centre-right United Democratic Party (UDP) becomes prime minister after defeating Price’s PUP in the general elections.
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The entire country contains 4 highways.
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Belize has the longest barrier reef system in the Western hemisphere.
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The barrier reef hosts more than 450 islands called “cays” with more than 500 species of fish.
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Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize and is home to the famous Victoria House Beach Resort.
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Lobster is a popular food in Belize.
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Turneffe Island Atoll is best known for wall diving.
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The Lazy Lizard bar in Caye Caulker sits at a channel called the Split, formed by Hurricane Hattie in the 1960s.
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You can get close with nurse sharks and sting rays at Shark Ray Alley.
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Folklore tells of a 3-foot tall, evil dwarf called El Duende.
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Belize was the heart of the ancient Maya world.
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Tourists can visit Mayan ruins by horseback in Belize.
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The site of Caracol has a 140 foot high “sky palace” among its ruins.
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The world’s first and only Jaguar nature preserve is in Belize.
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Cayo District is the eco tourism capital of Belize.
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Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola owns two eco-resorts in Belize.
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High-quality food is cheap, including fruit, grains and nuts, fresh coconut water, free range chicken and eggs, natural grass fed beef.
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The Belize Dollar still bears the image of Queen Elizabeth II.
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Many Belizeans work in America or Canada and most of them retire back home.
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In 1970, Belmopan replaced Belize City as capital.
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Many retirees find inspiration, sometimes starting new careers.
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Volunteer organizations welcome retirees and ex-pats.
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In 1981, Belize becomes independent with George Price as prime minister, but Guatemala refuses to recognise it.
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Belize has an extensive subterranean cave system to explore.
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The most diverse language is Kriol (Belizean Creole).
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Other languages spoken in Belize include Garifuna, Mandarin, Spanish and Maya.
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One of the nicest things about visiting Belize is the weather.
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Belizeans avoid swimming on Good Friday, superstition says you will turn into a mermaid.
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The population is hardly bigger than a small city in the U.S.
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Citizens work to protect endangered species like black howler monkeys.
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Wild cats include jaguars, jaguarundi, pumas, ocelots and margays.
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Whale sharks converge in late spring off the white sand beaches of Placencia. You can book a whale shark tour with Chabil Mar.
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The first people to develop Belize were the Maya around 1500 B.C.E.
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Popular means of transportation include local airlines, buses and water taxis.
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There is no fast food chains like McDonalds, Burger King, Starbucks or KFC in Belize.
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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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