Editing Belize (section)

==Culture==
{{main|Culture of Belize}}
In Belizean folklore, there are the legends of [[Lang Bobi Suzi]], [[La Llorona]], [[La Sucia]], [[Tata Duende]], [[Anansi]], [[Xtabay]], Sisimite and the [[cadejo]].

Most of the [[public holidays in Belize]] are traditional Commonwealth and [[liturgical year|Christian holidays]], although some are specific to Belizean culture such as [[Garifuna Settlement Day]] and Heroes and Benefactors' Day, formerly [[Baron Bliss Day]].<ref>[http://www.belizenet.com "National Holidays of Belize"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006104751/http://belizenet.com/ |date=6 October 2008 }} Council on Diplomacy, Washington, D.C. and Consulate General of Belize. Retrieved 5 February 2008.</ref> In addition, the month of September is considered a [[September Celebrations of Belize|special time of national celebration]] called September Celebrations with a whole month of activities on a special events calendar. Besides [[Independence Day]] and St. George's Caye Day, Belizeans also celebrate [[Carnival]] during September, which typically includes several events spread across multiple days, with the main event being the Carnival Road March, usually held the Saturday before 10 September. In some areas of Belize, it is celebrated at the traditional time before [[Lent]] (in February).<ref>{{cite journal|last=Briceño|first=J.|title=Carnival in Northern Belize|journal=Belizean Studies|year=1981|volume=9|issue=3|pages=1–7}}</ref>

===Cuisine===
{{Main|Cuisine of Belize}}
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2020}}
[[File:Rice and Beans, Stew Chicken and Potato Salad - Belize.jpg|right|thumb|Rice and beans (with coconut milk), stewed chicken and potato salad. An inter-ethnic staple meal.]]
Belizean cuisine is a vibrant blend that reflects the country's multicultural makeup, incorporating elements from Mestizo, Creole, Garifuna, Maya, and immigrant influences, including Chinese and Indian traditions. This unique combination makes Belizean food an amalgamation of flavours from [[Central America]], the [[Caribbean]], and even further afield, producing dishes that are at once familiar to these areas yet distinctly Belizean.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=5 December 2022 |title=Belizean Food: 9 Must-Try Traditional Dishes of Belize |url=https://travelfoodatlas.com/belize-food |access-date=27 October 2024 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=27 March 2023 |title=20 Traditional Belizean Foods In Belize To Try |url=https://nomadsunveiled.com/traditional-foods-in-belize/ |access-date=27 October 2024 |website=Nomads Unveiled }}</ref>

[[Breakfast]] is often hearty, featuring staples like bread, flour [[tortilla]]s, or [[fry jack]]s (fried dough pieces), which are typically paired with cheese, refried beans, and eggs, along with coffee or tea. Street vendors frequently offer breakfast options such as tacos and [[meat pie]]s, while a midday meal, known locally as "dinner," serves as the main meal of the day. Traditional midday dishes include [[rice and beans]] (with or without coconut milk), stewed chicken, [[tamale]]s, [[escabeche]] (an onion soup), and [[Empanada#Belize|panades]] (fried corn shells with beans or fish).<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |author=McNab Editorial Team |date=16 March 2023 |title=Belizean Cuisine and Cultures |url=https://caribbeanlifestyle.com/belizean-cuisine/ |access-date=27 October 2024 |website=Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle }}</ref>

In rural areas, meals often centre around locally grown [[maize]], [[bean]]s, and [[Cucurbita|squash]], particularly in Maya communities, whereas [[Garifuna#Food|Garifuna cuisine]] is known for its Afro-Caribbean roots and heavily features seafood and [[cassava]]-based dishes like ''ereba'' (cassava bread). These local ingredients and cooking methods provide a deep connection to the land and traditions. This culinary diversity is supported by Belize's abundant agriculture, which allows for a wide variety of fresh ingredients, from tropical fruits to seafood.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

The nation abounds with restaurants and fast food establishments that are fairly affordable. Local fruits are quite common, but raw vegetables from the markets less so. Mealtime is a communion for families and schools and some businesses close at midday for lunch, reopening later in the afternoon.

===Media===
{{Main|List of newspapers in Belize|List of radio stations in Belize|List of television stations in Belize}}

=== Music ===
{{Main|Music of Belize}}
In recent years, Latin music, including [[reggaeton]] and [[Banda music|banda]], has experienced a surge in popularity in Belize, alongside the traditional genres of punta and brukdown. This growing trend reflects the influence of neighbouring Latin American countries and the cultural connections that exist within the region. The rise in popularity of Latin music in Belize demonstrates the vibrant and diverse musical landscape of the country, showcasing the ability of music to transcend borders and bring people together.

[[Punta]] is distinctly Caribbean, and is sometimes said to be ready for international popularization like similarly descended styles ([[reggae]], [[calypso music|calypso]], [[merengue (music)|merengue]]).

[[Brukdown]] is a modern style of Belizean music related to [[Calypso music|calypso]]. It evolved out of the music and dance of loggers, especially a form called ''buru''. [[Reggae]], [[dance hall]], and [[Soca music|soca]] imported from Trinidad, Jamaica, and the rest of the [[West Indies]], [[rapping|rap]], [[hip-hop]], [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]], and [[rock music]] from the United States, are also popular among the youth of Belize.

===Sports===
{{Main|Sport in Belize}}
[[File:Shalini Zabaneh, Cyclist, Belize.jpg|thumb|left|Accomplished Belizean cyclist Shalini Zabaneh]]
The major sports in Belize are [[association football|football]], [[basketball]], [[volleyball]] and [[Cycle sport|cycling]], with smaller followings of [[boat racing]], [[Sport of athletics|athletics]], [[softball]], [[cricket]] and [[Rugby football|rugby]]. [[Fishing]] is also popular in coastal areas of Belize.

The [[Cross Country Cycling Classic]], also known as the "cross country" race or the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, is considered one of the most important Belize sports events. This one-day sports event is meant for amateur cyclists but has also gained worldwide popularity. The history of Cross Country Cycling Classic in Belize dates back to the period when [[Monrad Metzgen]] picked up the idea from a small village on the [[Northern Highway (Belize)|Northern Highway]] (now Phillip Goldson Highway). The people from this village used to cover long distances on their bicycles to attend the weekly game of cricket. He improvised on this observation by creating a sporting event on the difficult terrain of the [[George Price Highway|Western Highway]], which was then poorly built.

Another major annual sporting event in Belize is the [[La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge]], a 4-day [[canoe marathon]] held each year in March. The race runs from [[San Ignacio, Belize|San Ignacio]] to [[Belize City]], a distance of {{convert|180|mi|km|order=flip}}.<ref name="Peddicord">{{cite web|last1=Peddicord|first1=Kathleen|title=La Ruta Maya – One of the World's Toughest and Most Historic River Races|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathleen-peddicord/la-ruta-mayaone-of-the-wo_b_6652828.html|website=The Huffington Post|access-date=4 March 2016|date=11 February 2015|archive-date=22 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322060252/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathleen-peddicord/la-ruta-mayaone-of-the-wo_b_6652828.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On Easter day, citizens of Dangriga participate in a yearly fishing tournament. First, second, and third prize are awarded based on a scoring combination of size, species, and number. The tournament is broadcast over local radio stations, and prize money is awarded to the winners.

The [[Belize national basketball team]] is the only national team that has achieved major victories internationally. The team won the 1998 CARICOM Men's Basketball Championship, held at the Civic Centre in Belize City, and subsequently participated in the 1999 Centrobasquet Tournament in Havana. The national team finished seventh of eight teams after winning only 1 game despite playing close all the way. In a return engagement at the 2000 CARICOM championship in Barbados, Belize placed fourth. Shortly thereafter, Belize moved to the Central American region and won the Central American Games championship in 2001.

The team has failed to duplicate this success, most recently finishing with a 2–4 record in the 2006 COCABA championship. The team finished second in the 2009 COCABA tournament in Cancun, Mexico where it went 3–0 in group play. Belize won its opening match in the Centrobasquet Tournament, 2010, defeating Trinidad and Tobago, but lost badly to Mexico in a rematch of the COCABA final. A tough win over Cuba set Belize in position to advance, but they fell to Puerto Rico in their final match and failed to qualify.

[[Simone Biles]], the winner of four gold medals in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics is a dual citizen of the United States and of Belize,<ref name="Gazette">{{cite web |url=http://www.haitigazette.com/belize-tourism-scores-gold-with-simone-biles-tweet/ |title=Belize Tourism Scores Gold With Simone Biles Tweet |editor=Staff |date=12 August 2016 |publisher=Haiti Gazette |access-date=27 August 2016 |archive-date=29 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829032726/http://www.haitigazette.com/belize-tourism-scores-gold-with-simone-biles-tweet/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> which she considers her second home.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/16/sport/simone-biles-belize-ties-rio-olympics-gymnastics-2016/ |title=Simone Biles has support in another country: Belize |editor=Martin, Jill |editor2=Lopez, Elwyn |date=16 August 2016 |publisher=CNN |access-date=27 August 2016 |archive-date=29 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829011749/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/16/sport/simone-biles-belize-ties-rio-olympics-gymnastics-2016/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Biles is of Belizean-American descent.<ref name="Laymon">{{cite web |url=http://gymnasticsnewsnetwork.com/even-world-champions-need-a-vacation/ |title=Even World Champions Need A Vacation |last1=Laymon |first1=Terri |website=gymnasticsnewsnetwork.com |access-date=15 August 2016 |quote=Biles' mother, Nellie Cayetano, is Belizean, while Biles herself is a Belizean-American of [[Garifuna people|Garifuna]] descent. |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224125638/http://gymnasticsnewsnetwork.com/even-world-champions-need-a-vacation/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===National symbols===
[[File:Prosthechea cochleata - panoramio.jpg|thumb|A black orchid flower (''[[Prosthechea cochleata]])'']]
The national flower of Belize is the black orchid (''[[Prosthechea cochleata]]'', also known as ''Encyclia cochleata''). The national tree is the [[mahogany]] tree (''[[Swietenia macrophylla]]''), which inspired the national motto ''Sub Umbra Floreo'', which means "Under the shade I flourish". The national ground-dwelling animal is the [[Baird's tapir]] and the national bird is the [[keel-billed toucan]].<ref name=GovBelize>{{cite web |author1=<!-- not stated --> |title=National Symbols |url=https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/national-animals/ |website=[[Government of Belize]] Press Office |access-date=2025-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318090510/https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/national-animals/ |archive-date=2025-03-18 |url-status=live}}</ref>