Belize - Useful information for your trip

Belize is a small country in Central America, its capital city is Belmopan. It is bordered on the east by the Caribbean sea and the Gulf of Honduras and its territory is characterized in the southern part by Yucatàn peninsula, while the northern and southern border are traced respectively by rivers Hondo and Sarstoon. It's also crossed by river Belize, which gives its name to the country.

The northern area is mostly flat and full of streams, while the coasts are frequently interrupted by lagoons and swamps. The north-western inner area is covered by rainforest, while the south is characterized by the big valleys of the Maya mountains and a few low plateaus. 

The climate is typically tropical, with a wet season lasting approximately from May to November. During the rest of the year rainfalls tend to decline. Hurricanes tragically marked the history of this country: the most risky season begins on June 1 and from this day on the Government launches a series of campaigns of information addressed to the population. In 1931 a milion people died in the hurricane that destroyed two thirds of Belize City.

Belize exhibits a huge biodiversity, with over three thousand species of plants, over 150 mammals, 540 types of birds, 151 species of reptiles and amphibia and over 600 kinds of fish. Its barrier reef is the second largest in the world and was declared Unesco World heritage. 40% of the land is protected and there are 16 national parks all around the country.

Belize is considered one of the world's "tax havens" along with Panama, Philippines, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Uruguay and several other developing countries. In the past, unlike other countries in the same geographic area, the economy was not based on sugar plantations; it relied instead on the exploitation of forests. Around the half of the 20th century cultivations of citrus fruit, bananas and sugar cane started to spread. Over the last few years also livestock and eco-tourism activities have become more and more relevant.

Among the most amazing places to visit in Belize, you will undoubtedly find the beach of Ambergis Caye, the largest in the country and one of the main tourist attractions, situated on a small elongated island. The archaeological site of Caracol, built by the Maya civilization, is also worth a visit: situated in Cayo district, on the hills of the Maya mountains, it's sorrounded by Chiquibul National park. Other interesting archaeological sites are Xunantunich, located on an upland near Mopan river, and Lamanai, in the district of Orange Walk, with its own little museum displaying Mayan artifacts.