page_title: Belize
hierarchical_section_title: Belize
caption_attribution_description: IMG_0268.JPG
context_page_description: Belize is a country in 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 neighbors were once colonies of Spain. Many people speak two languages. Belize is a melting pot of cultures.
  More than three hundred and thirty thousand people live in Belize. Kriols make up about 21% of the Belizean people. Three Maya groups now live in the country: the Yucatec, the Mopan, and Kekchi. The Garinagu are a mix of African, Arawak, and Carib ancestry. There are also Mestizos.
  Belmopan, which is near the centre of the country, is its capital. The first capital was Belize City. Other towns and cities include Belize City, Corozal Town, Orange Walk Town, Punta Gorda, Santa Elena/San Ignacio and San Pedro Town.
  Belize is on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. There are about 450 islands. The largest island, Ambergris Caye, is forty kilometres long.
context_section_description: Belize is a country in 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 neighbors were once colonies of Spain. Many people speak two languages. Belize is a melting pot of cultures. 
  More than three hundred and thirty thousand (374,681 (2017))  people live in Belize. Kriols make up about 21% of the Belizean people. Three Maya groups now live in the country: the Yucatec, the Mopan, and Kekchi.  The Garinagu are a mix of African, Arawak, and Carib ancestry.  There are also Mestizos.
  Belmopan, which is near the centre of the country, is its capital. The first capital was Belize City. Other towns and cities include Belize City, Corozal Town, Orange Walk Town, Punta Gorda, Santa Elena/San Ignacio (known as the twin town) and San Pedro Town.
  Belize is on the coast of the Caribbean Sea.  There are about 450 islands. The largest island, Ambergris Caye, is forty kilometres long.  Many other islands are very small. In the water around the islands are coral reefs.
  The temperature along the coast is warm all year round.  It typically ranges from 20 °C to 32 °C. Sometimes hurricanes hit, causing great damage.
caption: 'Caana', a Mayan pyramid in Belize.
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