History

No other country in Central America or the Caribbean has a more fascinating and elusive past than Belize— with glorious Maya civilizations, English buccaneers and mahogany cutters, African slaves and Spanish conquistadors.

Belize’s past is an intriguing array of epic tales seasoned with stolen treasure, stone pyramids, logwood-cutting and multi-ethnic cultures, all ending with a peaceful, friendly and independent nation.  Travel with us and be transported to a place where history remains within reach.

Unlike the rest of Central America which was colonized by Spain, Belize was once a British colony.  Spanish authorities failed to clearly designate the southern boundary of the Yucatan, allowing buccaneers (pirates) preying on the Spanish treasure fleets offshore to find refuge along the coast of what became known as British Honduras.  On September 10th, 1798 the British claimed victory over the Spaniards at the Battle of St. George’s Caye thus establishing a British colony.

Today, Belize’s official language is English and the government and legal system are modeled on the Westminster system. While independent since 1981, Belize remains a part of the British Commonwealth in which the Queen of England is the nominal head of state and is represented locally by the Governor General.  The head of government is the Prime Minister who with the Cabinet, form the executive branch of the government. The legislature is comprised of an elected House of Representatives and an appointed Senate. An independent judiciary includes the Supreme Court with a Chief Justice and magistrate courts.   In each village, city and town are respective village, city and town councils elected on a regular basis.

From vibrancy to the decline of an ancient Maya civilization, through the challenges of piracy, colonial reign and slavery, surfaced the rise of a nationalist movement, the struggle for independence, the trials of globalization and the tribulations of politics in a developing country.  Through this passage of history and development, Belize has resisted the violence and revolution of many of its neighbors and has emerged a peaceful and democratic nation.