Moon Living Abroad in Belize

510 Pages·2012·10.42 MB·English

by  Victoria Day-Wilson

PRIME LOCATIONS IN BELIZE
Table of Contents
At Home in Belize
WELCOME TO BELIZE
Introduction
History, Government, and Economy
People and Culture
Planning Your Fact-Finding Trip
DAILY LIFE
Making the Move
Housing Considerations
Language and Education
Health
Employment
Finance
Communications
Travel and Transportation
PRIME LIVING LOCATIONS
Overview
Corozal
Cayo
The Cayes
Stann Creek
Toledo
RESOURCES
Index
At Home in Belize
The Belize national motto, “Under the shade I flourish,”
captures the spirit of life in this small Central American
paradise. From the thick jungles in Cayo to the white, palm-
fringed beaches lapped by the waves of the turquoise
Caribbean Sea, life in Belize thrives. It is a diverse country,
from its landscape and wildlife to its people.
Belize is multiethnic and multicultural. Belizeans trace their
heritage back to Mayan Indians, Europeans, Africans, and
Caribs. Added to the mix are Americans, Chinese, and Arabs.
Today’s Belizeans, a diverse population of Mestizos, Creoles,
Maya Indians, and Garifuna, speak English, the official
language of Belize, as well as Spanish and Creole.
Colors dominate the landscape. Delicate sprays of orchids
grow wild in the trees, scarlet bougainvillea tumbles over
everything, and huge bushes are covered in large red hibiscus
flowers. Thickly intertwined trees in a hundred shades of green
and brown rise against the blue sky, and under them colorful
markets feature myriad vegetables and fruit. From the tree
branches, bright red, green, and blue macaws take flight.
Belize is steeped in adventure, history, and folklore.
Overgrown Mayan ruins point to an ancient history only
partially uncovered, while excavated temples rise proudly into
the sky from their centuries-old foundations in jungle clearings.
From howler monkeys to manatees to toucans and jaguars,
Belize has an abundance of wildlife, thanks to careful
conservation of the varied habitats across the small country.