Geography

Belize is situated on the Caribbean Sea, south of Mexico and east and north of Guatemala in Central America. In area, it is about the size of New Hampshire. Most of the country is heavily forested with various hardwoods. Mangrove swamps and cays along the coast give way to hills and mountains in the interior. The highest point is Victoria Peak, 3,681 ft (1,122 m).

Climate

Belize has a subtropical to tropical environment with (in Belize City) mean monthly minima ranging from 16º C (60º F) in winter to 24º C (75º F) in summer. Mean monthly maxima range from 28º C (82º F) in winter to 33º C (81º F) in summer. Inland, and especially higher in the hills, the mean minima are noticeably lower.

Throughout Belize there is a pronounced dry season from February through May. But rainfall varies dramatically between the north of Belize and the south. Figures range from 1,200 mm (48”) in the north to over 4,000 mm (160”) per year in the south. Unfortunately, the amount of data points is limited and especially from inland and higher altitude locations in the south, no data are available at all.

Population

The population of Belize is approximately 270,000 people. Belize is considered to be the third most advanced country in Central America, after Costa Rica and Panama.

language

English is the official language, however due to surrounding latin influence, Spanish is widely spoken. Belize is also the home of the Garinagu, who speak Garifuna and Creole, which are common languages spoken by the locals. In the south there remain Mayan villages with their traditional way of life. Most still speak a Mayan dialect. Another prominent culture, the Mennonites, speak two languages - German and English. There are various groups of Mennonites; some hold their traditions, while progressive groups, make use of more modern technology. The Mennonites are considered to be the top Agriculture growers around. Their motto is "We Grow Belize".

DMC Companies

• ViaVenture

(the links below will open a new window and bring you to another website)

• Altiplano tours DMC

Climate&Population