Belize Historically Speaking Patch

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1. Belize is a tiny country that is by the Caribbean Sea. It is 8,867 square miles, 174 miles of which are coastlines. This means that Belize is about the size of the state New Hampshire in America. What continent is it located on? What countries and bodies of water are near it and border it? Identify the capital, flag, and currency used. Try to name the symbols on the patch and find other national symbols of Belize.

2. Central America was conquered by Spanish conquistadors many centuries ago, so all of the countries share a similar Spanish culture and language, except Belize. Belize used to be called British Honduras, and was a British colony until 1981. Because of this, the official language of Belize is English, but not everyone speaks it. Learn about the different people in Belize and the languages they speak and learn how to say a few words in one of these languages. Examples include: Belizean Spanish, Creole, Mayan, and Garifuna.

3. The first people to live in Belize were Mayan Indians, from 100 A.D. They came over land bridges to Central America, and then traveled from Mexico and Guatemala. The Mayans were great builders, and had pyramids similar to those in Egypt. Learn more about the Mayans and some of the Mayan ruin sites that exist in Belize. Go on your own archeological dig; study geology.

4. Belize is a festive place that loves to put on a show, and their celebrations can last either a day or a week, depending on how much fun they are having! Learn more about holidays and festivals in Belize. Some examples include: carnival, Baron Bliss Day, the Cashew Festival, National Day, Garifuna Settlement day, Caribbean Christmas, Deer Dance Festival, Coconut Festival, and Toledo Festival of Arts.

5. Beans and Rice are a very important food in Belize, but since there are such a wide variety of cultures, languages, and people in Belize, there are also many different types of food. Maybe you have tried some of the same food Belizeans eat such as: fried bananas, fruit juice and smoothies, fruit salad, tamales, corn tortillas, fresh fish, and bread. Central America is also famous for it’s hot sauces and cool drinks, such as coconut milk. Try a Belizean recipe or eat some Belizean food.

6. It is hot and humid in Belize, so everyone wears light and breezy fabrics. Research what Belizeans wear on special occasions and for festivals. Some examples are Mayan weaving and Carnaval costumes.

7. Belize was the first country to create a “wild cat” reserve, and is the only one in the world set-aside specifically for Jaguars. This reserve is called Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve and is 102,000 acres. There are more jaguars in Belize than anywhere else in the world. Learn more about endangered animals, and if you can, visit a local park or zoo. Some endangered or special cats in Belize are: ocelots, pumas, margays, and jaguarondi.

8. Sharon Matola started the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center in 1983 to protect exotic animals that had been used in documentary films. Now it has over 125 native Belize species in the zoo and teaches people about wildlife and how to take care of it. Learn about other famous people in Belize.

9. Everywhere you go in Belize is a different terrain. Some regions in Belize are mountains, savannas, lagoons, rainforests, coral reefs, and cayes. Learn more about Belize’s terrain, and where the most people live

10. In the rainforests of Belize, as many as two thousand species of animals and plants can depend on a single tree for survival. How do animals in the rainforest interact with each other? There are over 500 bird species in Belize, and over 90% of all of the creatures in the rainforest are insects. Name some things you would see in a rainforest, such as plants, animals, and insects.

11. Over one fourth of all medicines sold today are derived from plants, but only 5% of all of the world’s plants have been studied for medicine. Find some interesting plants and how they are used today. Some examples are: cacao, chicle, rubber tree, and aloe. What is an ethnobotanist? Learn about other careers that involve plants, and explore the plants in your community. Start growing your own plants or garden or collect some plants from your local nature and make a bouquet to give to someone you care about.

12. Belize has the seventh highest waterfall in the world, called 1,000 Foot Falls. How tall is this waterfall? Where is it located? How are waterfalls created? Where are other tall waterfalls? Visit a waterfall near you or make your own waterfall.

13. A tropical coral reef can be home to over three thousand creatures. What is a coral reef? Where is Belize’s coral reef located? Belize is home to the second largest Barrier Reef in the world. What is a barrier reef, and where is the largest one located?

14. Many miles of Belize border the Caribbean Sea. What kind of plants and animals live in the Caribbean Sea? How is the ocean and sea different from the pool? Which one is easier to swim in? Play a game about the ocean or play a game at the beach or pool.

15. Many Traditions are important in Belize. Learn about traditional arts, dances, music, and stories. Some examples are embroidery, Garifuna dancing, Kriol songs, and Mayan folk tales.

16. Fútbol is the most popular sport in Belize. What is fútbol? Have you ever played it? What other activities and games are there to do in Belize

17. Because Belize is next to an ocean, it is often hit with strong storms, floods, and hurricanes. Each year, many people all over the world are devastated by natural disasters such as hurricanes, tsunamis, and tornadoes. Learn about these natural disasters and how to prepare for them. Donate time to someone that is a victim of a natural disaster, or donate to Red Cross, orphanages, local organizations, participate in a blood drive, or clean up a local park, road, beach, or body of water.