DIVE BELIZE DIVE TRAVEL GUIDEBelize - Cyber Diver Top 10 Dive Destination >>  ou want to dive the Caribbean AND YOU WANT TO AVOID THE CROWDS. Welcome to Belize! Renowned for the world's second largest barrier reef and the only coral atolls in the western hemisphere, tiny Belize has acquired a huge reputation as one of the world's leading dive destinations. For once, at least, the accolades are well deserved.
Unlike many other Caribbean destinations, which are experiencing crowding, pollution and massive overdevelopment, Belize remains relatively pristine. Why? Earth's most accomplished polluter is in very short supply here. Only 256,000 people live in Belize and that translates into rich, unspoiled reefs, the stuff of diving legends. On October 8, 2001, 20 vacationing divers and crew including two Belizeans and 18 Americans were drowned aboard the Peter Hughes "Wave Dancer" when Hurricane Iris slammed into Belize and capsized the vessel. The most cursory review of the known facts indicates that a series of primarily profit-motivated, irresponsible decisions that were in clear violation of all standard emergency safety recommendations and procedures led to this tragedy. Now, nearly two years later, no report has been issued and no date for its release has been set. The government of Belize has been stonewalling the families, the press and the general public, and according to some reports, is not only dragging its feet but may have killed the investigation entirely. Click image to enlarge map |
Facts about Belize- Area: 22,960.00 sq km
- Population: 256,062
- Capital city: Belmopan
- Languages: English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
- Literacy: 70.3% total
- Religions: Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist 6%, Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% (1980)
- Life Expectancy: 68.91 male, 73.57 female (2001 est.)
- Government Type: parliamentary democracy
- Currency: 1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents
- GDP (per capita): $3,200 (2000 est.)
- Industry: garment production, food processing, tourism, construction
- Agriculture: bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane; lumber; fish, cultured shrimp
- Arable Land: 10%
- Natural Resources: arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropowe
| | SPONSORED LINKS | | CDNN NEWS HEADLINES | |
|
|
|
|
