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Belize - A Hazardous Heaven

Belize itself can be a heaven on Earth. The country possesses some of the world's last tracts of native rain forest which team with orchids, parrots, toucans and exotic animals. The extensive barrier reef of coral islands is a Caribbean paradise now developed for the sun and sea loving European tourist.

Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America. Belize City, the only large metropolis, doesn't give a good first impression. It is a ramshackle, dirty, river port for yachts and speed boats that transport tourists to the outer reef islands, called Cayes.

The city is periodically flattened by hurricanes so there are no substantial buildings of note. Basically the town consists of dilapidated wooden houses with suburbs crisscrossed by open drains. This city of 80,000 people is quaint and interesting, but dangerous for the tourist to wander around.

But all is relative. After returning from some outback Guatemalan villages, Belize City seemed to me, momentarily, quite modern and hygienic. Living costs are expensive. The Belizean dollar is pegged to the US dollar at the rate of two to one. Belizean currency is worthless outside the country so is best avoided. However, Government fees imposed at border crossings have to be paid in Belize dollars which is a regulation that provides employment for the ubiquitous money changer.

Belize, formerly British Honduras, shares its borders with southern Mexico and eastern Guatemala, and faces the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea. Today it has a small tourist industry based principally on diving and snorkeling off its coral islands, and ecotourism catering mainly for North American and European nature lovers using jungle lodges in the hinterland.

Originally this region was an unwanted piece of real estate. It was avoided by the Spanish navigators because of the shallow waters and string of dangerous reefs. In the 1600's the area became a haven for British pirates. Their knowledge of the barrier reef provided them with safety from pursuit. The larger islands gave them a base from which to raid the Spanish galleons loaded with treasures leaving from Mexico and southern ports.

Piracy changed to logging as a major industry and the jungles soon gave up much of their logwood and mohogany. The British declared the country their colony of British Honduras in 1862. In 1981 it became the independent nation of Belize.

Belize is a good starting point for going to the Mayan ruins of Tikal

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