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British Honduras Ports of Departure
Ancient site of Mayan Empire Belize is a small country, about the size of Massachusetts. It has a total land area of 8,866 square miles and a population of 260,000. With just under 30 inhabitants per square mile, Belize is Central America's most sparsely populated nation - which partly explains its reputation as a pristine nature's paradise. Centuries ago, Belize was the heart of the Mayan empire and is believed by archaeologists to have been inhabited by up to 1 million Indians. From 300 to 900 A.D., the country represented the center of Mayan city-states, trails, rivers and Caribbean trade routes. The hundreds of Mayan ruins in Belize today are relatively untouched and in excellent condition, especially in comparison to those of neighboring countries. Belize has left many of its ruins in much the condition they were discovered. Hideout for Caribbean pirates In the late 1600s, Belize was a hideout for Caribbean ship raiders because of its small population and dangerous off-shore reefs. The most infamous Scottish and English pirates had permanent bases in Belize, from which they launched raids on passing Spanish galleons carrying gold, silver, dyes, hardwoods and other raw materials back to Europe. The former British Honduras In 1840, Great Britain took over control of the country as the colony of British Honduras, which retained this name until 1973. As the British gradually turned over their reins of power to local authorities, the colony eventually became known as Belize. Independence for Belizeans was formally declared on September 21, 1981. Today, the former colony is still a protectorate. Belize is a member of the British Commonwealth, and a governor-general continues to represent London’s political interests there.
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