"If the world had any ends, Belize would certainly be one of them. It is not on the way from anywhere to anywhere else. It has no strategic value. It is all but uninhabited"
Aldous Huxley, Beyond the Mexique Bay (1934)

Map of Belize

For untold reasons, Belize is a wonderful place to visit and explore. It's a refreshing break from the run away world. Aside from the obvious - the county's natural and cultural diversity where nature still rules - the learning and adventure curve is steep compared to further developed countries. You'll find satisfaction and adventure in exploring pristine tropical environments, experiencing new cultures and learning opportunities, and contributing to an experiment in sustainable tourism. Belize offers it's visitors a refreshing departure from the modern world, to a place where rivers and forests have a voice, and traditions are honored, practiced and held sacred. Belize- a former British Colony, is a peaceful, safe and stable country that is democratically governed, multi-lingual, and easy to get to.

Belize is small - 180 miles long from north to south, by 67 miles wide at its widest girth! Our population is even smaller - 270,000 people in all, distributed in seven towns and 193 small villages dotting the landscape. We are located on the Yucatan peninsula just south of Mexico and roughly at the same latitude as Cuba and Puerto Rico. Our neighbors include Guatemala to the south and west, Mexico to the north, and the Caribbean Sea to the east.

>

Protected Areas of Belize map

Belize is proud of its very successful conservation record. From early on, Belizeans recognized the need for maintaining a balance between people and the environment. Presently, 40% percent of the country is managed as parks and reserves, and the Belize Barrier Reef is recognized as a world heritage site. As much as 60% of the country still remains under natural forest cover. CLICK THE MAP AT LEFT FOR A LARGE VERSION (243Kb). The country's protected areas system represents samples of all the ecosystems present and there is a variety of organizations that manage and protect these parks and reserves. Your visit to these protected areas helps support their management and protection.