Belize By: Karlie and Jordan

Landforms and Climate Landforms: Belize Barrier Reef, a bunch of coral reefs straddling the coast of Belize, also home to many plants and animals. The Gulf of Honduras, large inlet of Caribbean sea. The Placencia, a significant tourism destination. Climate: Very similar to rest of Central America and has a tropical climate that stays around 70 to 80 degrees.

Crops and Plants/Trees Crops: rice, beans, corn, bananas, papaya, mango, peanuts and pineapple. Main crop is bananas. They get about 78,000 tons a year. Plants/ Trees: They have rainforests, swamps, and scrublands with many different kinds of plants/trees.

Wildlife and Language Wildlife: Lots of birds, like parrots and toucans. Toucans are the national bird. There’s Tapirs, 2 unique cats which are margays and jaguarundi. There are also many monkeys. Language: National language is English which is spoken in old fashioned English.

Growth and Holidays People In Belize are moving out of the mountains and into the cities Because cities provide better health, birth rates have gone up People are also coming to Belize from unstable countries elsewhere in Central America The People of Belize celebrate some common holidays, like Christmas and Easter They also have their own holidays, like Baron bliss day, a huge carnival, followed closely by National Independence Day

History and Economy 16th century land disputes between the Spanish and English Recently had its capitol, Belize City, almost completely destroyed in Hurricane Hattie Has a new capitol now, Belmopan Fairly weak economy, highly relies on U.S. for founds Has a stable government, no corruption Common unemployment, being changed by increasing population

Natural Resources Minerals No major mineral resources except for limestone Most mineral resources come from Mexico Renewable Lots of wood and trees that supply nuts, fruits, oils, and lumber

Location One of seven countries in central America Shares borders with Mexico to the north, and Guatemala to the west and south Caribbean Sea to the east Second smallest region in Central America Covers 8,866 square miles, the size of New Hampshire

Life Mixed Asian, European, and American cuisine Sports include football, Basketball, cricket, and softball Clothing is mostly loose pants, light shirts, and beach wear because of the warm climate Music includes African and European styles plus other Central American and Mexican Blends

Extras The name Belize could come from two origins, Peter Wallace an explorer from Europe, whose name was pronounced Wallize in Spanish, could Have been changed by natives to Belize Another possibility is that it came from a native word, belix, Belize is also the only country in Central America without any Volcanoes

Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Il4ngbWTig

References http://www.mapsofworld.com/belize/sports/ http://www.belize.com/ http://belize-guide.info/travel.basics/clothing.and.attire/

Belize quiz 1. Where does Belize get most of there mineral resources from? 2. What body of water borders Belize to the East? 3. Who does Belize rely on for economical support? 4.List three common sports played in Belize. 5. What is the national animal? 6. What are the average temperatures in Belize?