Wedged
into the northeastern corner of Central America between Mexico's
Yucatán peninsula and the Petén
forests of Guatemala, Belize offers some of the most breathtaking
scenery anywhere in the Caribbean. The country actually consists
of marginally more sea than land, with the dazzling turquoise shallows
and cobalt depths of the longest barrier reef in the Americas just
offshore. Here, beneath the surface, a brilliant, technicolour
world of fish and corals awaits divers and snorkellers. Scattered
along
the reef, a chain of islands - known as cayes - protect the mainland
from the ocean swell and offer more than a hint of tropical paradise.
Beyond the reef lie the real jewels in Belize's natural crown -
three of only four coral atolls in the Caribbean.
Belizeans recognize the importance of conservation and their country
boasts a higher proportion of protected land (over 40 percent) than
any other. This has allowed the densely forested interior to remain
relatively untouched, boasting abundant natural attractions, including
the highest waterfall in Central America and the world's only jaguar
reserve. Rich tropical forests support a tremendous range of wildlife
, including howler and spider monkeys, tapirs and pumas, jabiru storks
and scarlet macaws; spend any time inland and you're sure to see
the national bird, the very visible keel-billed toucan. |
