Editing Belize (section)

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Belize}}
[[File:OpenStreetMap Belize.svg|thumb|upright=1.5|[[OpenStreetMap]] map of Belize, showing landcover, protected areas, major cities and administrative divisions]]

Belize is on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America. It shares a border on the north with the Mexican state of [[Quintana Roo]], on the west with the Guatemalan department of [[Petén (department)|Petén]], and on the south with the Guatemalan department of [[Izabal Department|Izabal]]. To the east in the Caribbean Sea, [[Belize Barrier Reef|the second-longest barrier reef]] in the world flanks much of the {{convert|386|km|mi}} of predominantly [[marsh]]y coastline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.know-belize.com/travel/|title=Move to Belize Guide|website=Belize Travel Guide|date=March 2012|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021110627/http://www.know-belize.com/travel/|archive-date=21 October 2012}}</ref> The area of the country totals {{convert|22960|km2|sqmi|0}}, an area slightly larger than [[El Salvador]], [[Israel]], [[New Jersey]], or [[Wales]]. The many [[lagoon]]s along the coasts and in the northern interior reduces the actual land area to {{convert|21400|km2|sqmi|0}}. It is the only Central American country with no Pacific coastline.

Belize is shaped roughly like a [[rhombus]] that extends about {{convert|280|km|mi|0}} north-south and about {{convert|100|km|mi}} east-west, with a total land boundary length of {{convert|516|km|mi|0}}. The undulating courses of two rivers, the [[Rio Hondo (Belize)|Hondo]] and the [[Sarstoon River]], delineate much of the country's northern and southern boundaries. The western border follows no natural features and runs north–south through lowland forest and highland plateau.

The north of Belize consists mostly of flat, swampy coastal plains, in places heavily forested. The [[Flora and vegetation of Belize|flora]] is highly diverse considering the small geographical area. The south contains the low [[mountain range]] of the [[Maya Mountains]]. The highest point in Belize is [[Doyle's Delight]] at {{convert|1124|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biodiversity.bz/belize/topography/ |title=BERDS Topography |publisher=Biodiversity.bz |access-date=29 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912073158/http://www.biodiversity.bz/belize/topography/ |archive-date=12 September 2010 }}</ref>

Belize's rugged geography has also made the country's coastline and jungle attractive to drug smugglers, who use the country as a gateway into Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/10/29/141808741/small-and-isolated-belize-attracts-drug-traffickers|title=Small And Isolated, Belize Attracts Drug Traffickers|publisher=NPR|date=29 October 2011|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-date=17 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417104514/https://www.npr.org/2011/10/29/141808741/small-and-isolated-belize-attracts-drug-traffickers|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011, the United States added Belize to the list of nations considered major drug producers or transit countries for narcotics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/americas/mexican-drug-cartels-reach-into-tiny-belize/2011/09/28/gIQA4lxzbL_story.html|title=Mexican drug cartels reach into tiny Belize|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=28 September 2011|access-date=24 August 2017|archive-date=8 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608020508/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/americas/mexican-drug-cartels-reach-into-tiny-belize/2011/09/28/gIQA4lxzbL_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Environment preservation and biodiversity===
{{Main|List of protected areas of Belize}}
Belize has a rich variety of wildlife because of its position between [[North America|North]] and South America and a wide range of climates and habitats for plant and animal life.<ref>{{cite web| author = Moon Handbooks| title = Know Belize – Flora & Fauna| publisher = CentralAmerica.com| year = 2006| url = http://centralamerica.com/belize/moon/bmoflorafauna.htm| access-date = 15 February 2008| archive-date = 12 April 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080412020933/http://centralamerica.com/belize/moon/bmoflorafauna.htm| url-status = dead}}</ref> Belize's low human population and approximately {{convert|8867|sqmi|km2|order=flip}} of undistributed land make for an ideal home for the more than 5,000 species of plants and hundreds of species of animals, including [[armadillo]]s, snakes, and [[monkey]]s.<ref>{{cite book | last = Jayawardena | first = Chandana | title = Tourism and Hospitality Education and Training in the Caribbean | publisher = University of the West Indies Press | year = 2002 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/tourismhospitali0000unse/page/165 165–176] | isbn = 978-9766401191 | url = https://archive.org/details/tourismhospitali0000unse/page/165 }}</ref>

The [[Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary]] is a nature reserve in south-central Belize established to protect the forests, fauna, and [[Drainage basin|watersheds]] of an approximately {{convert|400|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} area of the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains. The reserve was founded in 1990 as the first wilderness sanctuary for the [[jaguar]] and is regarded by one author as the premier site for jaguar preservation in the world.<ref name="autogenerated1996">{{cite book|last=Emmons|first=Katherine M.|date=1996|title=Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary|publisher=Orangutan Press|location=Gays Mills, Wisconsin|isbn=978-0963798220}}</ref>

===Vegetation and flora===

In Belize [[forest cover]] is around 56% of the total land area, equivalent to 1,277,050 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, down from 1,600,030 hectares (ha) in 1990. In 2020, naturally regenerating forest covered 1,274,670 hectares (ha) and planted forest covered 2,390 hectares (ha). Of the naturally regenerating forest 0% was reported to be [[primary forest]] (consisting of native tree species with no clearly visible indications of human activity) and around 59% of the forest area was found within protected areas.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a6e225da-4a31-4e06-818d-ca3aeadfd635/content |title=Terms and Definitions FRA 2025 Forest Resources Assessment, Working Paper 194 |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |year=2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020, Belize |url=https://fra-data.fao.org/assessments/fra/2020/BLZ/home/overview |website=Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations}}</ref>

Around 20% of the country's land is covered by cultivated land (agriculture) and human settlements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://biological-diversity.info/Ecosystems.htm |title=Biodiversity in Belize – Ecosystems Map |publisher=Biological-diversity.info |date=23 August 2005 |access-date=29 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922195904/http://biological-diversity.info/Ecosystems.htm |archive-date=22 September 2010 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> Belize had a 2018 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 6.15/10, ranking it 85th globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|display-authors=6|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity – Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G |doi-access=free}}</ref> [[Savanna]], scrubland and [[wetland]] constitute the remainder of Belize's land cover. Important [[mangrove]] ecosystems are also represented across Belize's landscape.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1016/S0378-1127(02)00036-1|last1=Murray |first1=M. R. |last2=Zisman |first2=S. A. |last3=Furley |first3=P. A. |last4=Munro |first4=D. M. |last5=Gibson |first5=J. |last6=Ratter |first6=J. |last7=Bridgewater |first7=S. |last8=Mity |first8=C. D. |last9=Place |first9=C. J. |display-authors=6 |year= 2003|title=The Mangroves of Belize: Part 1. Distribution, Composition and Classification|journal=Forest Ecology and Management |volume=174|issue=1 |pages=265–279|bibcode=2003ForEM.174..265M }}</ref><ref>{{cite tech report |last1=Cherrington |first1=E. A. |last2=Hernandez |first2=B. E. |last3=Trejos |first3=N. A. |last4=Smith |first4=O. A. |last5=Anderson |first5=E. R. |last6=Flores |first6=A. I. |last7=Garcia |first7=B. C. |year=2010 |url=http://maps.cathalac.org/Downloads/data/bz/bz_mangroves_1980-2010_highres.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725142755/http://maps.cathalac.org/Downloads/data/bz/bz_mangroves_1980-2010_highres.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-07-25 |title=Identification of Threatened and Resilient Mangroves in the Belize Barrier Reef System |others=World Wildlife Fund |publisher=Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean (CATHALAC) / Regional Visualization & Monitoring System (SERVIR)}}</ref> Four terrestrial ecoregions lie within the country's borders – the [[Petén–Veracruz moist forests]], [[Belizian pine forests]], [[Belizean Coast mangroves]], and [[Belizean Reef mangroves]].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|display-authors=6|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287|doi-access=free}}</ref> As a part of the globally significant [[Mesoamerican Biological Corridor]] that stretches from southern Mexico to Panama, Belize's biodiversity – both [[marine (ocean)|marine]] and [[Terrestrial ecoregion|terrestrial]] – is rich, with abundant [[flora]] and [[fauna]].

Belize is also a leader in protecting biodiversity and natural resources. According to the [[World Database on Protected Areas]], 37% of Belize's land territory falls under some form of official protection, giving Belize one of the most extensive systems of terrestrial protected areas in the Americas.<ref name=ProtectedPlanetBZ>{{cite web|title=Belize|url=http://www.protectedplanet.net/country/BZ|website=ProtectedPlanet|access-date=10 December 2015|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208071338/http://www.protectedplanet.net/country/BZ|url-status=dead}}</ref> By contrast, Costa Rica only has 27% of its land territory protected.<ref name=ProtectedPlanetCR>{{cite web|title=Costa Rica|url=http://www.protectedplanet.net/country/CR|website=ProtectedPlanet|access-date=10 December 2015|archive-date=26 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926191216/http://www.protectedplanet.net/country/CR|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Around 13.6% of Belize's [[territorial waters]], which contain the [[Belize Barrier Reef]], are also protected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amandala.com.bz/index.php?id=10030 |title=Belize protected areas 26% – not 40-odd percent |work=Amandala |date=2 July 2010 |author=Ramos, Adele |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514200537/http://www.amandala.com.bz/index.php?id=10030 |archive-date=14 May 2011 }}</ref> The Belize Barrier Reef is a [[UNESCO]]-recognized [[World Heritage Site]] and is the second-largest barrier reef in the world, behind Australia's [[Great Barrier Reef]].

A [[remote sensing]] study conducted by the Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean (CATHALAC) and [[NASA]], in collaboration with the Forest Department and the Land Information Centre (LIC) of the government of Belize's Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE), and published in August 2010 revealed that Belize's [[forest cover]] in early 2010 was approximately 62.7%, down from 75.9% in late 1980.<ref name="servir.net">{{cite report |url=http://www.servir.net/servir_bz_forest_cover_1980-2010.pdf |title=Forest Cover and Deforestation in Belize: 1980–2010 |last1=Cherrington |first1=E. A. |last2=Ek |first2=E. |publisher=Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean |location=Panama City, Panama |last3=Cho |first3=P. |last4=Howell |first4=B. F. |last5=Hernandez |first5=B. E. |last6=Anderson |first6=E. R. |last7=Flores |first7=A. I. |last8=Garcia |first8=B. C. |last9=Sempris |first9=E. |last10=Irwin |first10=D. E. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511134715/http://www.servir.net/servir_bz_forest_cover_1980-2010.pdf |archive-date=11 May 2011 |url-status=dead |display-authors=6 |year=2010}}</ref> A similar study by Belize Tropical Forest Studies and Conservation International revealed similar trends in terms of Belize's forest cover.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://biological-diversity.info/deforestation.htm |title=Biodiversity in Belize – Deforestation |publisher=Biological-diversity.info |date=23 August 2009 |access-date=29 August 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100922193325/http://biological-diversity.info/deforestation.htm| archive-date= 22 September 2010 | url-status=usurped}}</ref> Both studies indicate that each year, 0.6% of Belize's forest cover is lost, translating to the clearing of an average of {{convert|24835|acre|order=flip}} each year. The [[USAID]]-supported SERVIR study by CATHALAC, NASA, and the MNRE also showed that Belize's protected areas have been extremely effective in protecting the country's forests. While only some 6.4% of forests inside of legally declared protected areas were cleared between 1980 and 2010, over a quarter of forests outside of protected areas were lost between 1980 and 2010.

As a country with a relatively high forest cover and a low [[deforestation]] rate, Belize has significant potential for participation in initiatives such as [[REDD]]. Significantly, the SERVIR study on Belize's deforestation<ref name="servir.net"/> was also recognized by the [[Group on Earth Observations]] (GEO), of which Belize is a member nation.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Cherrington |last1=Emil |last2=Irwin |first2=Dan |url=http://www.earthobservations.org/art_010_002.shtml |title=SERVIR supports forest management in Belize |journal=GEO News |volume=10 |date=October 2010 |access-date=6 October 2010 |archive-date=8 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008224628/http://www.earthobservations.org/art_010_002.shtml |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Natural resources and energy===

Belize is known to have a number of economically important minerals, but none in quantities large enough to warrant mining. These minerals include [[Dolomite (mineral)|dolomite]], [[barite]] (source of [[barium]]), [[bauxite]] (source of aluminium), [[cassiterite]] (source of tin), and gold. In 1990 [[limestone]], used in road construction, was the only mineral resource exploited for domestic or export use.

In 2006, the cultivation of newly discovered [[crude oil]] in the town of [[Spanish Lookout]] has presented new prospects and problems for this developing nation.<ref name="Maya Homeland">{{cite web|last=Burnett|first=John|date=11 October 2006|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6248500|title=Large Oil Field Is Found in Belize; the Angling Begins|website=NPR|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-date=12 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412132817/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6248500|url-status=live}}</ref>

Access to [[biocapacity]] in Belize is much higher than world average. In 2016, Belize had 3.8 global hectares<ref name=footprintdata>{{cite web|url=http://data.footprintnetwork.org/#/countryTrends,EFCpc|title=Country Trends|publisher=Global Footprint Network|access-date=24 June 2020|archive-date=8 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808050235/http://data.footprintnetwork.org/#/countryTrends,EFCpc|url-status=live}}</ref> of biocapacity per person within its territory, much more than the world average of 1.6 global hectares per person.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lin |first1=David |last2=Hanscom |first2=Laurel |last3=Murthy |first3=Adeline |last4=Galli |first4=Alessandro |last5=Evans |first5=Mikel |last6=Neill |first6=Evan |last7=Mancini |first7=MariaSerena |last8=Martindill |first8=Jon |last9=Medouar |first9=FatimeZahra |last10=Huang |first10=Shiyu |last11=Wackernagel |first11=Mathis |display-authors=6 |date=2018 |title=Ecological Footprint Accounting for Countries: Updates and Results of the National Footprint Accounts, 2012–2018 |journal=Resources |language=en |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=58 |doi=10.3390/resources7030058 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2018Resou...7...58L }}</ref> In 2016 Belize used 5.4 global hectares of biocapacity per person – their [[ecological footprint]] of consumption. This means they use more biocapacity than Belize contains. As a result, Belize is running a biocapacity deficit.<ref name=footprintdata/>

===Belize Barrier Reef===

{{Main|Belize Barrier Reef}}

[[File:Belize Barrier Reef Aerial Looking North.jpg|thumb|upright|Belize Barrier Reef; aerial view looking north]]

The Belize Barrier Reef is a series of [[coral reef]]s straddling the coast of Belize, roughly {{convert|300|m|ft}} offshore in the north and {{convert|40|km|mi}} in the south within the country limits. The Belize Barrier Reef is a {{convert|300|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} section of the {{convert|900|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} [[Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System]], which is continuous from [[Cancún]] on the northeast tip of the [[Yucatán Peninsula]] through the [[Riviera Maya]] up to [[Honduras]] making it one of the largest coral reef systems in the world.

It is the top tourist destination in Belize, popular for [[scuba diving]] and [[snorkelling]], and attracting almost half of its 260,000 visitors. It is also vital to its fishing industry.<ref name="BBC News - 12 June 2006">{{cite news|last=Harrabin|first=Roger|date=12 June 2006|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5064870.stm|title=Reef at forefront of CO2 battle|website=BBC News|access-date=21 February 2013|archive-date=9 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509173024/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5064870.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1842 [[Charles Darwin]] described it as "the most remarkable reef in the [[West Indies]]".

The Belize Barrier Reef was declared a [[World Heritage Site]] by [[UNESCO]] in 1996 due to its vulnerability and the fact that it contains important natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biodiversity.<ref>{{cite web|title=Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System – UNESCO World Heritage Centre|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/764|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=23 December 2015|archive-date=2 November 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051102085701/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/764|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Species====

The Belize Barrier Reef is home to a large diversity of plants and animals, and is one of the most diverse [[ecosystem]]s of the world:
* 70 hard coral species
* 36 [[Alcyonacea|soft coral]] species
* 500 species of fish
* hundreds of [[invertebrate]] species
With ~90% of the reef still yet to be researched, some estimate that only 10% of all species have been discovered.<ref>[http://www.westminster.edu/staff/athrock/BELIZE/Reef.html Belize Barrier Reef Case Study] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605060903/http://www.westminster.edu/staff/athrock/BELIZE/Reef.html |date=5 June 2013 }}. Westminster.edu. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.</ref>

====Conservation====
[[File:Great Blue Hole.jpg|thumb|The [[Great Blue Hole]], a phenomenon of [[karst topography]]]]
Belize became the first country in the world to completely ban [[bottom trawling]] in December 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Guatemalans trawling in Belize's southern waters {{pipe}} Channel5Belize.com|url=https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/82518|access-date=2021-11-23|language=en-US|archive-date=16 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416133256/https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/82518|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://oceana.org/en/news-media/press-center/press-releases/belize-bans-bottom-trawling-in-exclusive-economic-zone "Belize Bans Bottom Trawling in Exclusive Economic Zone"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009021343/http://oceana.org/en/news-media/press-center/press-releases/belize-bans-bottom-trawling-in-exclusive-economic-zone |date=9 October 2012 }}. Oceana.org.8 December 2010. Retrieved on 28 February 2013.</ref> In December 2015, Belize banned offshore oil drilling within {{convert|1|km|1|abbr=on}} of the Barrier Reef and all of its seven World Heritage Sites.<ref>{{cite web|title=Government Implements Ban On Offshore Drilling|url=http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=34483&frmsrch=1|website=7 News Belize|access-date=23 December 2015|archive-date=17 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417101448/https://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=34483&frmsrch=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite these protective measures, the reef remains under threat from [[Marine pollution|oceanic pollution]] as well as uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Other threats include hurricanes, [[climate change]] and the resulting increase in ocean temperatures,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/735941.stm |title=Coral collapse in Caribbean |work=BBC News |date=4 May 2000 |access-date=1 June 2021 |archive-date=8 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108212744/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/735941.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> which causes [[coral bleaching]]. It is claimed by scientists that over 40% of Belize's coral reef has been damaged since 1998.<ref name="BBC News - 12 June 2006"/>

===Climate===

{{see also|Hurricanes in Belize}}
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map BLZ present cropped.svg|thumb|upright=1.1|Köppen climate classification of Belize]]
Belize has a [[tropical climate]] with pronounced [[wet season|wet]] and [[dry season]]s, although there are significant variations in weather patterns by region. Temperatures vary according to elevation, proximity to the coast, and the moderating effects of the northeast trade winds off the Caribbean. Average temperatures in the coastal regions range from {{convert|24|°C|°F|1|abbr=on}} in January to {{convert|27|°C|°F|1|abbr=on}} in July. Temperatures are slightly higher inland, except for the southern highland plateaus, such as the [[Mountain Pine Ridge]], where it is noticeably cooler year round. Overall, the seasons are marked more by differences in humidity and rainfall than in temperature.

Average rainfall varies considerably, from {{convert|1350|mm|in}} in the north and west to over {{convert|4500|mm|in}} in the extreme south. Seasonal differences in rainfall are greatest in the northern and central regions of the country where, between January and April or May, less than {{convert|100|mm|in|1}} of rainfall per month. The dry season is shorter in the south, normally only lasting from February to April. A shorter, less rainy period, known locally as the "little dry", usually occurs in late July or August, after the onset of the rainy season.

'''Hurricanes'''

[[Tropical cyclone|Hurricanes]] have played key—and devastating—roles in [[History of Belize|Belizean history]]. In 1931, an unnamed hurricane destroyed over two-thirds of the buildings in Belize City and killed more than 1,000 people. In 1955, [[Hurricane Janet]] levelled the northern town of [[Corozal Town|Corozal]]. Only six years later, [[Hurricane Hattie]] struck the central coastal area of the country, with winds in excess of {{convert|300|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} and {{convert|4|m|ft|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} [[storm tide]]s. The devastation of Belize City for the second time in thirty years prompted the relocation of the capital some {{convert|80|km|mi|0}} inland to the [[planned city]] of [[Belmopan]].

In 1978, [[Hurricane Greta-Olivia|Hurricane Greta]] caused more than US$25&nbsp;million in damage along the southern coast. In 2000, [[Hurricane Keith]], the wettest tropical cyclone in the nation's record, stalled, and hit the nation as a Category 4 storm on 1 October, causing 19 deaths and at least $280 million in damage. Soon after, on 9 October 2001, [[Hurricane Iris]] made landfall at [[Monkey River Town]] as a {{convert|145|mph|km/h|abbr=on|round=5|order=flip}} Category 4 storm. The storm demolished most of the homes in the village, and destroyed the banana crop. In 2007, [[Hurricane Dean]] made landfall as a Category 5 storm only {{convert|25|mi|km|abbr=on|order=flip}} north of the Belize–Mexico border. Dean caused extensive damage in northern Belize.

In 2010, Belize was directly affected by the Category 2 [[Hurricane Richard]], which made landfall approximately {{convert|20|mi|km|order=flip}} south-southeast of Belize City at around 00:45 UTC on 25 October 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Brown |first1=Daniel |last2=Berg |first2=Robbie |name-list-style=amp |date=25 October 2010 |title=Hurricane Richard Discussion Seventeen |publisher=National Hurricane Center |access-date=25 October 2010 |url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.017.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029230303/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.017.shtml |archive-date=29 October 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> The storm moved inland towards [[Belmopan]], causing estimated damage of [[Belize dollar|BZ$]]33.8&nbsp;million ($17.4&nbsp;million 2010&nbsp;USD), primarily from damage to crops and housing.<ref>{{Cite web|title=You searched for 33.8|url=https://www.reporter.bz/search/33.8|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=29 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529144034/https://www.reporter.bz/search/33.8|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The most recent hurricane to make landfall in Belize was [[Hurricane Lisa (2022)|Hurricane Lisa]] in 2022. [[Extreme weather]] events, such as [[Tropical cyclone|hurricanes]] and floods, have become more frequent and intense due to climate change.<ref name=":102">{{Cite book |last=UNFCC |url=https://unfccc.int/documents/630427 |title=BELIZE: A CASE STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE CLIMATE RESILIENT FOOD SYSTEMS ALLIANCE |date=December 2022}}</ref>

'''Climate change'''

Belize is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its low-lying coastal areas, diverse ecosystems, and economic reliance on tourism and agriculture.<ref name=":102"/> As a country, Belize's 2023 [[greenhouse gas emissions]] are relatively low (7.46 million tonnes), however, it ranks as the 13th highest country for per capita emissions, at 18.13 tonnes per person.<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal |last1=Jones |first1=Matthew W. |last2=Peters |first2=Glen P. |last3=Gasser |first3=Thomas |last4=Andrew |first4=Robbie M. |last5=Schwingshackl |first5=Clemens |last6=Gütschow |first6=Johannes |last7=Houghton |first7=Richard A. |last8=Friedlingstein |first8=Pierre |last9=Pongratz |first9=Julia |last10=Le Quéré |first10=Corinne |date=2023-03-29 |title=National contributions to climate change due to historical emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide since 1850 |url=https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02041-1 |journal=Scientific Data |volume=10 |issue=1 |page=155 |doi=10.1038/s41597-023-02041-1 |pmid=36991071 |pmc=10060593 |bibcode=2023NatSD..10..155J |issn=2052-4463|hdl=11250/3119366 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Hannah |last2=Rosado |first2=Pablo |last3=Roser |first3=Max |date=2024-01-05 |title=Greenhouse gas emissions |url=https://ourworldindata.org/greenhouse-gas-emissions |journal=Our World in Data |language=en}}</ref> [[Land use]] change and [[forestry]] together is the highest source of emissions in Belize.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Climate Action Watch |title=Belize |url=https://www.climatewatchdata.org/countries/BLZ?end_year=2021&start_year=1990 |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=www.climatewatchdata.org}}</ref> The government has committed to [[Net-zero emissions|net zero emissions]] by 2050 and has developed [[climate resilience]] and [[Climate change adaptation|adaptation]] plans.<ref name=":11" />