Program Activities:
Belize is in Central America, bordered by Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras. The country is about 22,960 km² in area and shares the Caribbean Sea with the other nations targeted in the GIZ-implemented programme. Belize is known for its barrier reef which at approximately 300km long is the second longest in the world. There are over 1000 cayes associated with the barrier reef system. Some like Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are inhabited and are important tourist destinations, some consist of small uninhabited sandy and coralline islands, and yet others are uninhabited mangrove stands. The cayes are found in the relatively calm waters between the barrier reef and mainland Belize. There are three atolls to the East of the Barrier Reef, namely Turneffe, Lighthouse and Glovers. These, along with Chinchorro Atoll in Mexico’s waters, are the only four atolls in the Western Hemisphere. Seven sites within Belize’s barrier reef are designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Mainland Belize is generally flat with extensive lowland swamps in the Northern coastal area. More mountainous terrain is found to the South and the country’s highest point is Doyle’s Delight at a height of 1,124 m. The country’s largest river is the Belize River which is navigable by small craft all to way to the river’s headwaters in Guatemala. Belize is dominated by limestone rock but there is some granite in the South-central area where the Maya Mountains are located. There is some limited mining of gold, bauxite and dolomite limestone.