About Belize
Belize is a small nation on the eastern coast of Central America , on the Caribbean Sea bordered by Mexico to the northwest and Guatemala to the west and south. The country is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy which recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as Sovereign. The nation of Honduras lies 75 km away (47 mi ) across the Gulf of Honduras to the east. The name is derived from the Belize River , after which Belize City , the former capital and largest city, is also named.
The only English -speaking country in Central America , Belize was a British colony for more than a century and was known as British Honduras until 1973 . It became an independent nation in 1981. Belize is a member of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Sistema de Integracion Centro Americana (SICA) and considers itself to be culturally both Caribbean , and Central American.
Source: Wikipedia
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About Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye is the nation of Belize 's largest island . It is located in the northeast of Belize, in the Caribbean Sea .
The Caye (pronounced "key", meaning an island, derived from the Spanish language "cayo") is about 25 miles long from north to south, and about one mile wide. It was named after large lumps of ambergris which washed ashore here.
The island, where it has not been modified by man, is mostly a ring of white sand beach around mangrove swamp in the centre.
A Maya community lived on the island in Pre-Columbian times, and made distinctive polished red ceramics , most notably small well molded figurines of animals.
Ambergris Caye is administered as part of the Belize District , although the mainland area closest to Ambergris is the Corozal District .
San Pedro Town is the largest settlement and only town on Ambergris. There are also a number of small villages and resorts. Captain Morgan's resort played host to the first season of Fox's Temptation Island in 2000, aired in 2001. More recently, the availability of skydiving during the winter has become a draw for tourists so inclined.
Tourism development of Ambergris Caye began in the early 1970s and grew considerably in the later years of the 20th century . The main attractions are Belize's barrier reef and beaches . That barrier reef is the second largest in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. The caye has a small airstrip, and can be reached by plane from Belize City as well as by numerous fast sea ferries.
San Pedro Day is celebrated annually on June 27th. The name Ambergris is pronounced with the second syllable accented.
Source: Wikipedia
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