The 4 ARRRRR’s

Presented by Phil Hahn

B E L I Z E

The 4R’s of Belize

Rivers

Reefs Rainforests Ruins

RIVERS Rare flora and fauna live in healthy populations within the abundant riverine and riparian forests of Belize.

REEFS Belize’s Barrier Reef, which is the largest in the Western World, was declared by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site in 1997.

RUINS In Belize, great cities of the Maya are still being unearthed for the first time.

RAINFORESTS Belize’s low population density and extensive protected areas have resulted in some of the most intact ecotourism attractions in the Caribbean.

The 4R’s of Belize

“An entire country that feels like a small town.” v English Speaking v Population – 330,000 350,000 v Multi-ethnic groups from all walks of life: Maya, Mestizo, European, Creole, Mennonite, Canadian, American

Residents of Belize

wRitten about Belize            If  the  world  had  any  ends  Bri2sh  Honduras  (Belize)  would  certainly  be  

one  of  them.  It  is  on  the  way  to  nowhere  from  nowhere,  it  is  largely  uninhabited  and  has  no  strategic  value.  

Aldous  Huxley,  author  of  Brave  New  World  (1932)              

 …easily  reached  from  the  United  States  by  frequent  air  service…  Peaceful  and  non-­‐meddlesome,  blissfully  unimportant,  Belize  rarely  merits  

aLen2on  in  any  foreign  newspaper.    Open  Road  Travel  Guides,  2005  

         

Walking,  hiking,  biking  and  horseback  riding  in  forests,  villages  and  the  Maya  Mountains.  

Swimming,  snorkeling,  diving  and  boa2ng  along  the  reef,  rivers,  bays  and  lagoons.  

Exploring  Maya  ruins  and  caves  on  foot,  in  a  canoe  or  floa2ng  on  an  inner  tube.  Bird  watching  and  photography  in  a  variety  of  environments.  Various  learning  and  teaching  opportuni2es  involving:  

 archaeology,  languages,  medicinal  plants,  orchids,  protected  species,  marine  life  and  rainforest  preserva2on.  

 

Recreation in Belize

v  Sub-­‐tropical  v  Summer  highs  rarely  above  95  degrees  v  Winter  lows  rarely  below  60  degrees  v  Median  temperature  being  73-­‐88  degrees  

Annual rainfall ranges from 60” in the north to 180” in the south. Season extends from May through September with a dry period in August.

Rainfall in Belize

The Regions of Belize v Northern Belize v The Cayes v Western Belize v Southern Belize

Mostly Rural v Six Districts v Two Cities: Belize City & Belmopan v 32 people per square mile v Mostly small villages and rural life within a natural environment

Regions - Northern

Corozal, Orange Walk and Belize v Proximity to Chetumal, Mexico (capital city of 350,000 people). v The Bay of Chetumal is protected and tranquil. v Pleasant subtropical climate with the lowest annual rainfall in the country.

Regions – The Cayes San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) & The Cayes v Attracts both visitors and prospective expats. v Busy resort island atmosphere with the majority of the country’s tourism. v Provides excellent water sport opportunities – diving, boating & fishing.

Regions – Western

Cayo and the Maya Mountain Region

v Largest district with the fastest growing town (San Ignacio) in Belize v Diverse terrain, rolling hills and sweeping farmland devoted to citrus orchards and cattle farming. v Lush river valleys and majestic mountain ridges covered in sub-tropical rainforest.

Regions – Southern

Stann Creek and Toledo

v Placencia, a popular resort area with the best natural beaches in Belize. v Lush mountain rainforests and vast citrus orchards. v Has easy access to nearby cayes with excellent fishing, diving and boating.

     

v Battle of St. George’s Caye, September 10, 1798 v British logging outpost v Self government in 1950 v Agriculture becomes leading industry as Mennonites arrive in 1958 v Capital moved to Belmopan in 1970 v Independence on September 21, 1981 v Eco-tourism currently becoming the top industry

Remembering History

The 4R’s of Belize

Rivers

Reefs Rainforests Ruins

The Rivers of Belize 35 major and minor river catchments v North: Rio Hondo, and New River v Central: Belize River (Macal & Mopan), Sibun River, and Manatee v Southeastern: Mullins River, Sittee River, Stann Creek, and Monkey River v Southern: Moho River and Sarstoon River

The Reefs of Belize Largest Coral Reef in the West v 190 miles long v 450 cayes v 3 atolls v 370 square miles v 7 marine reserves

The Ruins of Belize Mayan Archaeology v Over 600 sites identified v Largest concentration in the Maya World v Flourished from 300BC to 900AD v Significant Mayan “Underworld” discoveries v Population estimates as high as 1 million

The Rainforests of Belize Mother Nature’s Best Kept Secret v 1.5 million acres of continuous tropical rainforest v Largest protected tropical rainforest ecosystem in Central America v 500 species of birds v 180 species of reptiles and amphibians v 700 species of butterflies v World’s greatest ratio of landmass dedicated to nature reserves, parks and preserves

The 4R’s of Belize

Rivers

Reefs Rainforests Ruins

The 5th R of Belize

Presented by Phil Hahn

B E L I Z E I T