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Belize has numerous
places to see and explore. |
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The Belize Barrier Reef
The Belize Barrier Reef is the second
largest in the world and the largest coral reef
ecosystem in this Hemisphere. Forming a nearly
continuous fortification for 190 miles along the
continental shelf edge, the Belize Barrier Reef
provides life and security to the entire country.
The warm clear water off the coast of Belize, fed as
it is by various mainland rivers and streams, forms
an excellent environment for the reef. |
The Belize Barrier Reef
ecosystem has remained pristine because the small,
subsistence-level population has not stressed it unduly,
maintaining it a diver's dream. Here an observant diver
can be kept entertained for hours on end by the unending
variety, shapes and colors of the tropical coral.
The remarkably clear and shallow water inside the reef
allows excellent viewing of the fabulous marine life of
the area. Rainbow tinged tropical fish, delicate sea
fans and majestic coral gardens abound. Outside the
reef, the seabed drops sharply in a series of plateau to
depths of thousands of feet. Out here in the blue are
found the game fish - mackerel, kingfish, wahoo, tuna,
sailfish and marlin.
The Coral
Atolls
The atolls are the
epitome of the Belize diving experience. They are
far from mainland shores and are essentially
bastions of wilderness existing in pristine
conditions. They are huge; each by itself is about
the size of Grand Cayman or Cozumel. Being farther
from land, they are drenched in the clearest water
on a consistent basis. Many of Belize's marine
eco-systems are protected under the category of
World's Heritage Sites. Belize is renowned for its
three offshore coral atolls… |
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The Lighthouse Reef Atoll
is Belize's diving Shangri-La. It offers the best and
most diverse marine life in the world. It is the
outermost of the three atolls (45 to 50 miles east of
Belize City) and is a universe of diving in itself. It
houses the great Blue Hole, one of the most amazing dive
spots in the world. The Blue Hole is 1,000 feet wide by
440 feet deep and it is the largest ocean sinkhole in
the world and the only one of its kind that can be
clearly seen from outer space.
There are also several shipwrecks at or on the Atoll,
with many believed to have lost pirate treasures.
The Turneffe Islands Atoll is the largest and closest to
shore. Sponges of every shape and color are intertwined
with black coral dominating the scenery with schools of
snapper, grunts, spadefish and jacks milling about. It
is also possible to encounter hundreds of groupers.
Glover's Reef Atoll is south of both Turneffe Atoll and
Lighthouse Reef. The scenery above and below the sea is
simply spectacular. Its diameter is approximately 40
miles and has hundreds of shallow patch reefs in its
interior. The dive sites of Glover's Reef include Parrot
Fish falls, Shark Point, Hole in the Wall, Manta Reef,
Turtle Tavern, Octopus Alley, Dolphin Dance, and
Gorgonia Galley.
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The Belize
Zoo
The Belize Zoo boasts
over 125 species of animals indigenous to Belize on
its 29 acres of savanna. It is arguably the finest
zoo in the Americas, south of the U.S. The zoo
originally opened in 1983 and is well-known for its
phenomenal conservation achievement. When you visit
this historic animal habitat you get the chance to
see native animals of Belize at close quarters,
housed in spacious enclosures identical to their
natural environment. |
The zoo's theme, "a walk
through Belize," contains a trail that takes you into
the pine ridge, the forest edge, the rainforest, the
lagoons and the river forest. The most famous inhabitant
is a Baird's tapir, locally known as a mountain cow. All
the native Belizean cats are represented, including a
rare black jaguar. The existing birds include toucans,
macaws, parrots, a spectacled owl and several vultures.
Additional spectacular animals include howler monkeys,
peccaries, agouti and crocodiles.
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The
Tropical Education
The education center
is across the highway from the Belize Zoo (off the
Western Highway at mile marker 29). As the name
suggests, there is a great focus on school, college
and tour guide training groups. However it is also
open to everyone who wishes to learn. There are
self-guiding nature trails, observation decks and a
lagoon. In addition, there are study facilities that
include a classroom and a well-equipped library, as
well as comfortable dormitory accommodations.
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Belmopan
(capital city)
Belmopan is located approximately 48 miles
southwest of Belize City and 22 miles east of San
Ignacio. It is the Capital of Belize and has a
population of only 7,000. Belmopan is known as the
"Garden City." The city was established in 1965
and many government offices moved to Belmopan by
1970.
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The center of town is
Independence Plaza. The Prime Minister's office,
administrative buildings and post office are
located in this plaza, as well as several
embassies. The University of Belize's main campus
is also close by. Market Square is next to the
plaza and open most days of the week selling all
sorts of products. The Novelo bus terminal is next
to the market and the immigration office is across
the street. Belmopan is emerging as a center for
business. Belmopan was incorporated in 2000 and
since then there have been many positive
improvements for business, such as the restoration
of the market. There are more plans in the works.
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The
Guanacaste National Park
This spectacular national park packs a parcel in a
mere 56 acres, with its huge specimen of
guanacaste or tubroos tree, ceiba, cohune palms,
mahogany, quamwood, and other trees. The resident
blue-crowned motmots are among the rarer animals
observed at Guanacaste. Over 100 species of birds
have been spotted in the park as well as agouti,
armadillo, coati, deer, iguana, jaguarondi and
kinkajou. Do not forget to pack a bathing suit
when you tour the park. There are some truly
delightful trails here too.
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Mountain Pine Ridge
Mountain Pine Ridge is a 300 square mile
forest reserve, south of the Western Highway
in the Cayo District. Some of the features
include the Hidden Valley Falls (1,000
Foot-Falls), the Rio On River, the Rio On
Pools, the Rio Frio Cave and Nature Trail, and
many waterfalls and streams. With its karst
limestone terrain, the area is great for
hiking, caving, biking and horseback riding.
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Rio
on Pools
A series of
adjoining pools made from large granite
boulders, connected by small waterfalls. It is
an excellent place for swimming and hiking. |
Blue
Hole National Park
This park consists
of 575 acres, full of forest with an abundance of
flora and fauna. The Blue Hole itself is a
sinkhole filled with water that is part of the
underground Caves Branch Creek tributary, which
then disappears below the surface as it flows to
the Sibun River. The collapsed karst sinkhole is
about 25 feet deep and roughly 300 feet in
diameter with stunning turquoise water. The main
enticements are the underground streams, rivers,
sinkholes and the underground caves. There are
also several great hiking trails within the park
with many exotic species of birds to see along the
way.
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Hidden Valley Falls
Also known as
1000 Foot Falls, is believed to be the highest
waterfall in Central America and is actually
over 1,500 feet. There is a viewing platform
that overlooks the falls and a scenic trail
with gorgeous views of the valley. |
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Barton Creek Cave
Travel through
a scenic Mennonite farm community to view
large, multicolored cave formations and Mayan
artifacts. You take a canoe through an
underwater cave system thought to be used for
Mayan burial purposes. The Cave goes for
approximately one mile from the beginning to
where it stops.
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St. Herman's Cave
St. Herman's Cave
is also within boundaries of the Blue Hole
National Park and is about 500 meters from the
Hummingbird Highway. This cave was used by the
Maya during the Classic Period. Many archeological
artifacts have been discovered at the cave by the
Department of Archaeology. |
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