Geography of Belize – The Ultimate Free Guide 2021
Learn facts and Geography of Belize including Major Geographical Features, Natural resources, Region, area, Capital, Border countries, rivers in Belize.
- Belize is located on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America.
- It shares a border on the north with the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, on the west with the Guatemalan department of Petén, and on the south with the Guatemalan department of Izabal.
- To the east in the Caribbean Sea, the second-longest barrier reef in the world flanks much of the 386 kilometers of predominantly marshy coastline.
- Small cay islands totaling about 690 square kilometers, dot the reef.
- The area of the country totals 22,960 square kilometers, an area slightly larger than El Salvador or Massachusetts.
- The abundance of lagoons along the coasts and in the northern interior reduces the actual land area to 21,400 square kilometers.
- Belize is shaped like a rectangle that extends about 280 kilometers north-south and about 100 kilometers east-west, with a total land boundary length of 516 kilometers.
- The undulating courses of two rivers, the Hondo and the Sarstoon, define much of the course of the country’s northern and southern boundaries.
- The western border follows no natural features and runs north-south through lowland forest and highland plateau.
- The central Belize District is the most populated of six and is predominantly Creole. Economic activity centers around commerce and some light manufacturing.
- The north of Belize consists mostly of flat, swampy coastal plains, in places heavily forested. The flora is highly diverse considering the small geographical area. The south contains the low mountain range of the Maya Mountains.
- Belize’s rugged geography has also made the country’s coastline and jungle attractive to drug smugglers, who use the country as a gateway into Mexico.
- Belize has a rich variety of wildlife because of its unique position between North and South America and a wide range of climates and habitats for plant and animal life.
- Belize’s low human population and approximately 22,970 square kilometers of undistributed land make for an ideal home for the more than 5,000 species of plants and hundreds of species of animals, including armadillos, snakes, and monkeys.
- Belize is also a leader in protecting biodiversity and natural resources. According to the World Database on Protected Areas, 37% of Belize’s land territory falls under some form of official protection, giving Belize one of the most extensive systems of terrestrial protected areas in the Americas.
Geography of Belize
Region:
Central America
Area:
Ranked 152nd
Capital:
Belmopan
Population:
419,199
Bordering Countries:
- Situated south of the Yucatán Peninsula, Belize is a land of mountains, swamps, and tropical jungle. It is bounded by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east.
Total Size:
8,867 sq mi
Geographical Coordinates:
17°15′N 88°45′W
World Region or Continent:
Americas
General Terrain:
flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south.
Geographical Low Point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m
Geographical High Point:
Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Climate:
Tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to February).
Major cities:
- Belize City
- Belmopan
- Orange Walk Town
- San Pedro
- San Ignacio
Major Land forms:
- Belize’s landscape can be divided into four regions: the mountains, the rainforest, the Caribbean coast, and the Caribbean islands. Most of Belize is flat, but toward the west the landscape becomes mountainous. Doyle’s Delight is the highest peak, at 3,805 feet (1,160 m). Belize’s coast lies on the Caribbean Sea.
Major Rivers and Lakes:
Major Rivers:
There are only 3 major rivers, the Hondo, Boots and New River.
Major Lakes:
- Aguacate Lagoon
- Almond Hill Lagoon
- Barracouta Pond
- Big Pond
- Black Creek Lagoon
- Button Lagoon
- Cenote Lagoon
- Chan Laguna
- Chiwa Lagoon
- Cocos Lagoon
- Cook’s Lagoon
- Cox Lagoon
- Crabcatcher Lagoon
- Crique Blanco Zibal
- Cudjoe Lagoon
- Doubloon Bank Lagoon
- Fabers Lagoon
- Fabers Lagoon
- Five Blues Lake
- Four Mile Lagoon
Natural Resources:
Arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower.
Major Geographical Features:
Oceans:
the Caribbean Sea
Islands:
- Silk Caye
- Glover’s Reef Atoll
- South Water Caye
- Goff’s Caye
- St. George’s Caye
- Tobacco Caye
- Laughingbird Caye
- Half Moon Caye
- Caye Caulker
- Ambergris Caye
Mountain Ranges:
- Victoria Peak
- Richardson Peak
- Doyle’s Delight
Districts of Belize:
- Cayo District
- Belize District
- Orange Walk District
- Belize District
- Corozal District
See Also:
References:
- Wikipedia – Geography of Belize
- Countryreports.org – Geography of Belize
- motherearthtravel.com – Geography of Belize
