The Facts on Belize
Geographical Features
Belize is situated geographically on the Caribbean coast of Central America. It's not part of another country. It is located just below Mexico, about 200 miles south of Cancun. It is the northern most country in Central America next to Guatemala on the west and the beautiful Caribbean Sea on the east.It is considered both a Central American country and also part of the Caribbean.
Size: 174 miles(280 kms) long, 68 miles(109 kms) wide with the mainland covering 8,867 sq. miles (23,300 sq.kms)
Belize is very much it's own country. Different in every aspect, it has it's own food, it's own culture and it's own language, however it is an English speaking country. Yes it is in Central America, but it doesn't quite belong there.
Climate: The subtropical climate has an annual mean temperature of 79 F(26 C) and average humidity of 85 %. Annual rainfall ranges from 50 inches in the north to 170 inches in the south. Hurricane may occur from June to November.
Physical Features: Belize’s Barrier Reef is the second longest in the world at 180 miles(288 kms). The Highest point is Victoria Peak at 3, 680 feet (1,121 meters).
History
The center of the Mayan empire for almost 1,000 years, the Spanish arrived in the 16th century and used the area primarily for logging. During the next two hundred years, many British and Spanish pirates inhabited the area, battling for naval supremacy. Finally in 1798, the British navy defeated the Spanish and laid official claim to the area. In 1862, Britain formally named the territory “British Honduras,” a title that lasted until 1962 when a peaceful independence was granted and British Honduras became Belize. The country gained full independence by 1981.
Political Features
Capital City: Belmopan (Population 10,000) Other major city: Belize City 130.000
Urbanites 48%
Cities, Towns & Villages: Belize City and Belmopan are the only cities, there are seven towns: Corozal, Orange Walk, San Pedro, San Ignacio/Santa Elena, Benque Viejo, Dangriga and Punta Gorda. The rest are villages.
Population: 273,700 for a population density of 31 people per sq. mile.
Industries: The major industries are Sugar, Citrus, Bananas, Tourism, and Marine products.
Political System: Formerly the colony of British Honduras, Belize gained independence from Britain in 1981. It is a parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster system of government.
Culture
Language:English is the official language but Creole and Spanish are most often heard along with Garifuna, Maya(Yucatec, Mopan and Ketchi), as well as German, Chinese and others. Spanish spoken by 50% of the population.
Ethnic Mix: Belize is truly a melting pot. The population of Belize is very young and over 50% is less than 18 years old. The people are of Mayan, Creole, Garifuna(Garinagu), Mestizos, Spanish, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese, and English descent, as well as a community of horse and buggy Mennonites. Add to this a growing expatriate population of some of the most eccentric people on earth, including archaeologists and ex-hippies, writers, artists, film makers (i.e. Francis Ford Coppala), super-savvy international investors, entrepreneurs, and increasing numbers of Americans, Canadians, Germans, and Australians.
Literacy 70%
Language with Scriptures 2 Bi 5 NT.
Adventure Tour
UNESCO has declared seven world heritage sites in Belize and protected areas cover over 41 % of the country. There are many “Belizes” from the beautiful cayes (pronounced keys) to the southern beaches, to the lush rainforest inland and the Mayan mountains to the west. It is a land of tremendous contrast. There's lots to see in Belize, from the endless variety of flower and fauna in the rainforest, to the undiscovered Mayan ruins, to the magnificent waterfalls and the tropical cayes that have some of the best sports fishing, sailing and scuba diving in the world.
Maya Temple and Cave sites: A thousand years ago there were a million Mayas living in Belize and many of their major temple and caves sites can still be seen.
Reef: The world’s second largest barrier reef and 450 cayes offer spectacular diving, snorkeling, fishing and boating.
Rainforest: Inland activities include Maya sites, canoeing, cave tubing, birdwatching, horseback riding, mountain biking and visits to butterfly farms and nature centers.
Currency: The fixed rate is US $1 to BZ $2.
Economy
Belize's economy is seeing steady growth due to an increase in international tourism. Its jungles are touted as destinations for eco-lodges. And being located next to the world's second longest barrier reef makes it a great destination for scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing. The per capita income, however, is just over $3,000USD per year.
Food
Most of the food in Belize is traditional Latin American (chicken, rice & beans... and GREAT enchiladas!), with some Caribbean, Creole and Chinese. Most restaurants serve a good variety of foods, from chicken to steak to shrimp & a variety of fish, and even pizza. Local fruits, such as mangoes, bananas, watermelon and pineapples are widely available and taste great.
Religion
The majority of Belizeans declare some sort of faith. Many are Roman Catholic, while Christian Protestantism continues to grow. Jehovah's Witnesses, Hindu and Voodoo are also practiced.
Challenge for Prayer
1. Belizeans are largely professing Christians, but nominalism and syncretism are common. The Spanish-speaking immigrants with their superstitions and superficiality, the Mayans with their underlying paganism, and the Garifuna with their black magic- each need a culturally relevant and sensitive presentation of the gospel. Many settlements still need church-planting ministry, despite the five-fold increase in congregations since 1960.
2. Evangelicals have steadily grown from 4.6% in 1960 to 14% in 2000. There has been exceptional growth in some denominations. Challenges to tackled: a) Few full-time workers, most must work part-time due to lack of congregational support. b) Much evangelism but little evidence of 'converts' in the churches, because of poor follow-up.
3. Cultural diversity and denominational variety make unity and common goals for Christians difficult to attain. Pray for:
a) The Mennonites, many of whom live in introspective communities with their own dialect of German. Belize has a higher percentage of Mennonites than any other country. Pray for revival in their communities. b) Effective fellowship between Spanish-and English-speaking believers in united nation-wide initiatives for the Kingdom.
4. The less-reached:
a) The Mayan peoples-there are a few Nazarene and Mennonite believers. b) The Garifuna have had their NT since 1983. Their strong animistic culture has only been marginally penetrated (CoN, Brethren). There are some Nazarene and Brethren believers among them. c) The Chinese have increased through immigration from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, but only a few are evangelical believers. d) The East Indians are almost entirely Muslim or Hindu.
Geographical Features
Belize is situated geographically on the Caribbean coast of Central America. It's not part of another country. It is located just below Mexico, about 200 miles south of Cancun. It is the northern most country in Central America next to Guatemala on the west and the beautiful Caribbean Sea on the east.It is considered both a Central American country and also part of the Caribbean.
Size: 174 miles(280 kms) long, 68 miles(109 kms) wide with the mainland covering 8,867 sq. miles (23,300 sq.kms)
Belize is very much it's own country. Different in every aspect, it has it's own food, it's own culture and it's own language, however it is an English speaking country. Yes it is in Central America, but it doesn't quite belong there.
Climate: The subtropical climate has an annual mean temperature of 79 F(26 C) and average humidity of 85 %. Annual rainfall ranges from 50 inches in the north to 170 inches in the south. Hurricane may occur from June to November.
Physical Features: Belize’s Barrier Reef is the second longest in the world at 180 miles(288 kms). The Highest point is Victoria Peak at 3, 680 feet (1,121 meters).
History
The center of the Mayan empire for almost 1,000 years, the Spanish arrived in the 16th century and used the area primarily for logging. During the next two hundred years, many British and Spanish pirates inhabited the area, battling for naval supremacy. Finally in 1798, the British navy defeated the Spanish and laid official claim to the area. In 1862, Britain formally named the territory “British Honduras,” a title that lasted until 1962 when a peaceful independence was granted and British Honduras became Belize. The country gained full independence by 1981.
Political Features
Capital City: Belmopan (Population 10,000) Other major city: Belize City 130.000
Urbanites 48%
Cities, Towns & Villages: Belize City and Belmopan are the only cities, there are seven towns: Corozal, Orange Walk, San Pedro, San Ignacio/Santa Elena, Benque Viejo, Dangriga and Punta Gorda. The rest are villages.
Population: 273,700 for a population density of 31 people per sq. mile.
Industries: The major industries are Sugar, Citrus, Bananas, Tourism, and Marine products.
Political System: Formerly the colony of British Honduras, Belize gained independence from Britain in 1981. It is a parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster system of government.
Culture
Language:English is the official language but Creole and Spanish are most often heard along with Garifuna, Maya(Yucatec, Mopan and Ketchi), as well as German, Chinese and others. Spanish spoken by 50% of the population.
Ethnic Mix: Belize is truly a melting pot. The population of Belize is very young and over 50% is less than 18 years old. The people are of Mayan, Creole, Garifuna(Garinagu), Mestizos, Spanish, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese, and English descent, as well as a community of horse and buggy Mennonites. Add to this a growing expatriate population of some of the most eccentric people on earth, including archaeologists and ex-hippies, writers, artists, film makers (i.e. Francis Ford Coppala), super-savvy international investors, entrepreneurs, and increasing numbers of Americans, Canadians, Germans, and Australians.
Literacy 70%
Language with Scriptures 2 Bi 5 NT.
Adventure Tour
UNESCO has declared seven world heritage sites in Belize and protected areas cover over 41 % of the country. There are many “Belizes” from the beautiful cayes (pronounced keys) to the southern beaches, to the lush rainforest inland and the Mayan mountains to the west. It is a land of tremendous contrast. There's lots to see in Belize, from the endless variety of flower and fauna in the rainforest, to the undiscovered Mayan ruins, to the magnificent waterfalls and the tropical cayes that have some of the best sports fishing, sailing and scuba diving in the world.
Maya Temple and Cave sites: A thousand years ago there were a million Mayas living in Belize and many of their major temple and caves sites can still be seen.
Reef: The world’s second largest barrier reef and 450 cayes offer spectacular diving, snorkeling, fishing and boating.
Rainforest: Inland activities include Maya sites, canoeing, cave tubing, birdwatching, horseback riding, mountain biking and visits to butterfly farms and nature centers.
Currency: The fixed rate is US $1 to BZ $2.
Economy
Belize's economy is seeing steady growth due to an increase in international tourism. Its jungles are touted as destinations for eco-lodges. And being located next to the world's second longest barrier reef makes it a great destination for scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing. The per capita income, however, is just over $3,000USD per year.
Food
Most of the food in Belize is traditional Latin American (chicken, rice & beans... and GREAT enchiladas!), with some Caribbean, Creole and Chinese. Most restaurants serve a good variety of foods, from chicken to steak to shrimp & a variety of fish, and even pizza. Local fruits, such as mangoes, bananas, watermelon and pineapples are widely available and taste great.
Religion
The majority of Belizeans declare some sort of faith. Many are Roman Catholic, while Christian Protestantism continues to grow. Jehovah's Witnesses, Hindu and Voodoo are also practiced.
Challenge for Prayer
1. Belizeans are largely professing Christians, but nominalism and syncretism are common. The Spanish-speaking immigrants with their superstitions and superficiality, the Mayans with their underlying paganism, and the Garifuna with their black magic- each need a culturally relevant and sensitive presentation of the gospel. Many settlements still need church-planting ministry, despite the five-fold increase in congregations since 1960.
2. Evangelicals have steadily grown from 4.6% in 1960 to 14% in 2000. There has been exceptional growth in some denominations. Challenges to tackled: a) Few full-time workers, most must work part-time due to lack of congregational support. b) Much evangelism but little evidence of 'converts' in the churches, because of poor follow-up.
3. Cultural diversity and denominational variety make unity and common goals for Christians difficult to attain. Pray for:
a) The Mennonites, many of whom live in introspective communities with their own dialect of German. Belize has a higher percentage of Mennonites than any other country. Pray for revival in their communities. b) Effective fellowship between Spanish-and English-speaking believers in united nation-wide initiatives for the Kingdom.
4. The less-reached:
a) The Mayan peoples-there are a few Nazarene and Mennonite believers. b) The Garifuna have had their NT since 1983. Their strong animistic culture has only been marginally penetrated (CoN, Brethren). There are some Nazarene and Brethren believers among them. c) The Chinese have increased through immigration from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, but only a few are evangelical believers. d) The East Indians are almost entirely Muslim or Hindu.