Belize is a part of the Meso-American Biodiversity Hotspot and contains jungles, wildlife reserves and a large variety of flora and fauna. In addition, it also hosts the largest cave system in Central America. Some species of Belize's flora and fauna include the black orchid, the mahogany tree, the toucan and tapirs.
The first people to develop Belize were the Maya around 1500 B.C.E. As shown in archeological records, they established a number of settlements here including Caracol, Lamanai and Lubaantun. The first European contact with Belize occurred in 1502 when Christopher Columbus reached the area's coast. In 1638, the first European settlement was established by England and, for 150 years, many more English settlements were set up. The Belizean people are made up of Maya, Mestizo, Creole, Garifuna, East Indian, Mennonite, Arab and Chinese.
In 1840, Belize became a "Colony of British Honduras" and in 1862, it became a crown colony. For one hundred years, Belize maintained a representative government of England but in January 1964, full self government with a ministerial system was granted. In 1973, the region's name was changed from British Honduras to Belize and on September 21, 1981, full independence was achieved.
English is the official language, and Spanish, African-based Garifuna, Maya-Kekchi, Maya Mopan, Mandarin, and German are just a few of the languages that form the unique dialects that are spoken throughout the country.

Touring And Diving Belize

We visited Belize in 1992, 2005, and 2014, to experience the country and to dive and photograph the second largest barrier reef in the world. The country is known for its Mayan ruins, Eco-Lodges near the Guatemalan border, the Belize Zoo, jaguars, birds, and of course, its offshore reefs. Recently, large resorts and casinos have sprung up near Belize City. Now one can also enjoy zip lining and cave tubing through the jungle, in addition to eco tours of the wildlife preserves.
The purpose of this article, though, is to talk about the reefs and the changes we have seen over the past 25 years. We have always dived these reefs from a live-aboard dive boat. We felt that was the only way to experience the scope of what Belize diving has to offer. The Aggressor and the Dancer Fleet both run live-aboard dive boats. They dock at the Marina at the Raddisson Fort George Hotel in Belize City. It is a nice safe hotel to stay in both before and after your dive trip. One should try and spend time exploring the country.
Our first trip in 1992 showed a reef filled with sea fans, sea whips, hard corals, beautiful walls with huge elephant ear and tube sponges, soft corals and very little algae. We encountered fairly large but not huge grouper, tarpon and a large variety of indigenous Caribbean fish. The water seemed clearer than it is today, given the same weather conditions.The photos below were taken on our most recent trip.