Belize gained independence from Britain in 1981. It is located in Central America on the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, facing the Caribbean Sea. The Mayan civilization spread into the area between 1500 BC and AD 300. Britain defeated Spain in 1798 and laid claim to the land, which it ruled until Belize achieved independence. The national symbols of Belize include the black orchid flower, mahogany tree, toucan bird, and tapir animal. English and Spanish are the most common languages.

1. BELIZE

2. BELIZE
 Belize is at the southern end of the Yucatan
peninsula, facing the Caribbean Sea.

4. The Mayan
civilization
spread into the
area of Belize
between 1500
B.C. and A.D.
300
European contact
began in 1502
when Columbus
sailed along the
coast

5. Both Spain and
Britain lay claim
to the land until
Britain defeated
the Spanish in
the battle of St.
George's Cay
(1798)

6. Belize became
independent on
sept. 21, 1981

7. SYMBOLS(THE FLAG)

8. THE COAT OF ARMS

9. THE NATIONAL FLOWER
THE BLACK ORCHID
THE NATIONAL TREE
THE MAHOGANY TREE

10. THE NATIONAL BIRD
TOUCAN
THE NATIONAL ANIMAL
TAIPIR OR MOUNTAIN COW

11. CULTURAL ASPECTS

12. FOOD
Food in daily life: Imported bleached wheat
flour, corn, beans, rice, and poultry are the
daily staples.

13. CUSTOMS AT CEREMONIAL
OCCASIONS
Garifuna Andy
Palacio

14. “john
canoe
dance”

15. 58% of
inhabitants
are Roman
Catholic
Protestants
constitute
29%

16. LANGUAGES
English -Hello-
Spanish -Hola-
Garufunao or Maya -Xic-(shic)

17. The best
developed
graphic
arts are
painting
and
sculpture

19. Pen
Cayetano

20. Baron
Saint
Bliss Day Geoorge’s
caye Day
Pan American
Day
Independence
Day