With an area of 1633 square miles, the Belize District is the heart of the country. Most of the country's islands are located offshore of this district and within its boundaries. This district also has the two places where most travelers begin and end their journey, the International Airport and Ambergris Caye.

The Europeans first attempt to settle Belize was made in the Belize District, first as pirates and then as loggers. During logging, terms such as "booms" were used to refer to the areas where the loggers laid chains across the river to trap floating logs; and "bank" was the spot along the river where loggers first put ashore. Today this district has villages with names such as Burrell Boom, Flowers Bank and Bermudian Landing.