Belize

Belize is a country on the north-east coast of Central America. The country was known as British Honduras until 1973, being the last British colony on the American mainland. Belize gained independence on 21 September 1981, but retained its historic links with the United Kingdom through Commonwealth membership. Belize is often considered the Caribbean country of Central America, as its history is similar to that of the English-speaking Caribbean countries. Belize's institutions and official language do indeed reflect its British colonial past, but its culture is more typical of other Central American countries. South of the Yucatán Peninsula, Belize is a land of mountains, swamps and tropical jungle. It borders Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize has 280 km of coastline, and has about three-fifths of its land covered by forest. There are some 50 different forest tree species, including mahogany, Santa Maria, cedar and ironwood. In the north there are deciduous forests on limestone soils, in the south the forests are taller and evergreen. On the plateau, Santa Maria is in bloom, and oak and pine grow on some of the plateau ridges. The rivers are largely fringed by swamp forests, while the southern coastal plain and the open savannah further inland from Belize City are scattered with oaks, pines and palm trees. The coast is lined with mangroves and the highlands are mostly covered in forest and largely uninhabited. Belize's rich wildlife includes animals such as the tapir, deer, jaguar, puma, American Crocodile and manatee, along with many species of turtle, tortoise, bird, reptile, insect and fish.