Feel like getting out of the Resort? Check out the History & Culture of Belize
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The first settlers were the Mayan civilization and the main inhabitants for around 1,000 years.
This Central American country is located east of Guatemala and south of Mexico. Belize is a part of the Yucatan Peninsula and occupies an area of some 22,960 square miles. Compared to other countries and states, it’s about the same size as El Salvador and marginally bigger than Massachusetts. The Caribbean Sea is the eastern shoreline.
Belize is known for its tropical climate, which draws tourists every year. It doesn’t vary too much throughout the year making it an ideal place for diving and exploring the rainforests. It’s also favorable for growing and cultivating citrus, bananas, cocoa, sugar, shrimp, beef, fish, and timber. Agriculture greatly impacts the country’s livelihood, with 75% of export earnings coming from it.
The population of Belize is small (410,000+). There’s a lot of diversity in the country, with Black Creoles making up 39.7% of it. The Spanish-speaking ethnic group Mestizos is the next big part of the population (33.1%). Maya people come next, only followed by East Indians and others.
Belizeans are practicing Catholics, with a large part of the population being Protestants due to the British occupation. Some other religions include Garifuna and Maya, mixing Christianity with shamanism.
Although the country’s official language is English, many inhabitants also speak Creole with an English base, and Spanish that’s widely spoken in cities bordering Mexico and Guatemala. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll also come across Mayan, Arabic, Chinese, German, and Lebanese languages.
Belize doesn’t have its own cuisine – instead, it’s a mix of several cuisines that take their roots in Mayan, English, and Creole food. Dishes often include fry jacks, bananas, refried beans, flour tortillas, tamales, stewed chicken, cassava, and escabeche. Coconut milk is a staple here, and so are conch, plantains, hot peppers, rice, and beans.
Mayan & Mestizo influence: Caldo is the most popular dish consisting of tortillas cooked on a small, flat griddle typically used in Mexico, Central America, and sometimes South America to wrap foods like beans and meat varieties.
Creole influence: Boil Up is an amalgamation of pigtail or fishtail, boiled eggs, and ground foods, including Yams, Cassava, green plantains, sweet potatoes, cocoa, and tomato sauce.
English influence: Corned beef is a Commonwealth of Nations-based food that’s understood as salt-cured brisket of beef with sugar or spices added to the recipe from time to time.
Garifuna influence: Ereba is a Cassava-based bread made by straining the plant of its juice, drying it overnight, and sieving it through the rounded baskets before forming the dough and baking it on an iron skillet.
- Barrier Reefs & Natural Preserves
Belize Barrier Reef is the main reason everyone should visit. This 300-kilometer natural system is a well-known spot for divers and snorkelers. It’s considered the largest barrier reef in the Northern hemisphere featuring multiple marine reserves, hundreds of cayes, and a few atolls. Fun fact — the Belize Barrier Reef can be seen from space.
Those learning more about Mayan culture should stop at the Caracol Natural Monument Reservation. This archeological site isn’t far from Guatemala, and the Chiquibul National Park that’s open for visitors too.
If you have time, visit Belize’s largest island, Ambergris Caye, and check out both Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Jaguar Preserve. You won’t be disappointed with what you discover.
