Belize is on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America. It used to be called British Honduras, but changed its name in 1973. Long before that it was part of the Mayan Empire. Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America.
Some people in Belize speak Spanish or Kriol, but English is the official language and the most commonly spoken. This is because Belize is a former colony of the United Kingdom, while its neighbours were once colonies of Spain. Many people speak two languages. Belize is a melting pot of cultures.
Belize achieved independence on September 21, 1981, but it has retained its historical link with the United Kingdom through membership in the Commonwealth.
The capital is Belmopan but the largest city is Belize City. Population in the country Belize as a whole: 374,681 (2017) Salary: 5 USD per hour.
Climate in Belize
Belize has a subtropical climate, with a well-marked dry season from late February to May and a wet season from June to November that is interrupted from August to September by another dry season. The mean temperature in Belize City is about 74 °F (23 °C) in December and 84 °F (29 °C) in July.
Sports
The major sports in Belize are football, basketball, volleyball and cycling. There are smaller followings of boat racing, track & field, softball and cricket. Fishing is also popular in areas of Belize.
The Keel Billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) is the National Bird of Belize.
The Tapir or Mountain Cow (Tapirello Bairdii) is the largest land mammal of the American tropics. The tapir is a stoutly built animal with short legs, about the size of a donkey and weighs up to 600 pounds.
The black orchid (Encyclia Cochleatum) is the National Flower of Belize.
Cuisine
Belizean cuisine is inspired by British, Mexican and Western Caribbean cooking. Since Belize is a melting pot of culture, it has adopted dishes from many different countries. The basic ingredients are rice and beans. These are often eaten with chicken, pork, veal, fish or vegetables. Coconut milk and fried plantains are added to the dishes to create a truly tropical taste. Exotic ingredients include armadillo meat, venison, iguana, iguana egg, and fried paca. Conch soup is a traditional dish. It has a characteristic taste and thick consistency due to added okra, potatoes, yams, cassava flour and a touch of toasted habanero. Belizean food is almost always served alongside white rice in coconut milk.
The most common dishes that you will encounter in Belize are the following:
Mestizo- Tamales, Relleno, Escabeche, Empanades and many other corn food.
Creole- The famous Rice and Beans, sere, and other dishes with may include cassava and yam.
This is such a beautiful flag of the country Belize.
We have visited 104 countries. Belize is a new country for us, so 105th.
Ulf and Tatjana Vleeshouwers have been here 9 of January 2023.