Editing Geography of Belize (section)

==Geology==
[[File:Belize_topo.png|thumb|right|205px|Topography of Belize]]
Belizean geology consists largely of varieties of [[limestone]], with the notable exception of the [[Maya Mountains]], a large uplifted block of intrusive [[Paleozoic]] [[granite]] and sediments running northeast to southwest across the south-central part of the country.<ref name=":9" /> Several major [[Fault (geology)|faults]] rive these highlands, but much of Belize lies outside the [[Tectonics|tectonically active]] zone that underlies most of Central America.<ref name=":9" /> During the [[Cretaceous]] Period, what is now the western part of the Maya Mountains stood above sea level, creating the oldest land surface in Central America, the Mountain Pine Ridge plateau.<ref name=":9" />

The hilly regions surrounding the Maya Mountains are formed from Cretaceous limestone.<ref name=":9" /> These areas are characterized by a [[karst topography]] that is typified by numerous [[sinkhole]]s, [[cave]]rns, and underground streams.<ref name=":9" /> In contrast to the Mountain Pine Ridge, some of the soils in these regions are quite fertile and have been cultivated during at least the past 4,000 years.<ref name=":9" />

Much of the northern half of Belize lies on the [[Yucatán Platform]], a tectonically stable region.<ref name=":9" /> Although mostly level, this part of the country also has occasional areas of hilly, karst terrain, such as the Yalbac Hills along the western border with Guatemala and the Manatee Hills between Belize City and [[Dangriga]].<ref name=":9" /> Alluvial deposits of varying fertility cover the relatively flat landscapes of the coastal plains.<ref name=":9" />