The Central American country of Belize is popular with a certain type of tourist. People come here, greedy for natural beauties, with which these lands are really rich. But local cities can hardly be called remarkable, and the criminal situation here is not very conducive to long walks.
Facts about Belize
- Nominally, the head of Belize is the English monarch.
- This state borders on only two countries – Guatemala and Mexico (interesting facts about Mexico).
- The air temperature practically does not change during the year.
- A typical street cafe in here is a blind grate with a hole through which an order is made. A little later, the suffering gourmet is given food «to takeaway». There are no tables, in most cases it is impossible to go inside. What to do – crime.
- Belize is hit by many hurricanes every year that originate over the Caribbean Sea. Often they cause significant destruction.
- Along with Uruguay and Argentina, Belize is the country with the fairest skin among the local population (interesting facts about Argentina).
- It is one of only two countries in South and Central America, including Guyana, where English is the official language. However, many locals speak Spanish, but they do not know English at all.
- Only experienced trackers go to the local jungle. An unprepared person there will quickly fall victim to poisonous plants, insects or snakes. Dangerous predators are also found here, by the way.
- During the colonization, many slaves were brought here from the territory of the Congo, from Africa.
- Settlements of the Mayan Indians, who stubbornly resisted the invasion of the Spanish conquistadors, existed in Belize until the end of the 17th century.
- It is almost impossible to find the usual shopping or shopping and entertainment centers here. The infrastructure in the country is generally a disaster.
- Previously, Belize was called British Honduras and was part of Guatemala (interesting facts about Guatemala).
- Locals are surprisingly punctual – this is the local etiquette. And this is very, very unusual in South and Central America, where being late is considered the norm in any country.
- In Belize, every month there is at least one holiday that is celebrated for at least four days.
- And here is the Blue Hole – a real pilgrimage site for divers from all over the world.
- They put people in prison for a very decent time for killing a jaguar. Wild animals are protected by law. Well, in theory at least (interesting facts about jaguars).
- There are about a thousand people in the Belize army. They serve on a contract basis. In general, the law allows mobilization in the event of a lack of volunteers, but in practice this does not happen.
- The local currency is the Belize dollar. It is firmly pegged to the US dollar at a ratio of 1 USD = 2 BZD.
- The old capital of the country was also called «Belize», but in 1961 a hurricane leveled 75% of the city. The new capital was built in a more protected place and named it «Belmopan».
- About 90% of the country’s population are Christians of various denominations. The rest are mostly atheists.