Belize is a small country located on the eastern (Caribbean) coast of northern Central America. It is, bordered by Mexico on the north, and Guatemala on the west and south. The total land area, including the cayes, is 22,960 square kilometers. Using an offshore territorial limit of 20 km the national territory covers about 46,620 km2, of which 49% is land. Belize has a population of 216,500 and a density of almost 10 persons per square kilometer. This population density is the lowest in the Central American Region, and one of the lowest in the world.
Belize is a unique case of a small country with a rich endowment of natural and cultural resources that have global importance. Among these are its large tropical forests, its diversity of flora and fauna, its almost pristine coral reef, and its numerous archaeological reserves. The country is fortunate to have a natural and cultural endowment that is in good condition together with the institutional commitment to assist in the protection of that endowment.
Belize's Natural Resource Endowment
The country's most spectacular feature is the coral reef system, including the barrier reef. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second longest in the world, and the longest in the Western Hemisphere. The Barrier Reef extends 220 km from the Mexican border in the north, to the Sapodilla Cayes in the south. Towards the end of 1996 it was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.
The most prominent physiographic feature of Belize's mainland is the mountain range, known as Maya Mountains. This mountain range is located in the south central region of the country, and is made up of the mountainous and hilly landscapes of the west, southwest and south of the country, (Cayo and Toledo Districts). The hilly landscapes are formed from cretaceous limestone that show typical karstic land forms. The entire coastal plain and the northern part of the country are low lying.
Belize's lands have been divided into nine land systems, each comprising of a particular combination of topography, soils, vegetation and thus a distinctive landscape (King et al 1993). Recent classification work, undertaken in connection with the preparation of the Protected Areas Systems Plan (NPASP), identified and recognized 49 distinct types of natural vegetation.
This pattern of diversity and high environmental quality also applies to the coastal zones and marine systems. In recognition of its value in providing a unique ecosystem for varied species of marine life, the Belize Barrier Reef has recently been added to the world heritage list. This important event can be used to garner continued support for the protection of the marine resources, and the perpetuity of many endangered species.
A classification scheme of the Belizean marine systems was developed during the preparation of the Protected Areas Systems Plan. This scheme distinguished four regions that reflect differences in sediments, bathometry, topology, and hydrology. They represent marine equivalents of the terrestrial land systems. These four marine systems have been further separated into seventeen divisions, each representing a distinct marine environment.
Belize's extensive hydrological network includes several surface and underground rivers and streams, as well as lagoons, and aquifers. Streams draining the southeast and eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains have well-developed branching patterns with relatively steep straight courses. On the coastal plain, these rivers and streams become sluggish and drainage is less effective. Near the submerging coast, numerous lagoons, mangrove swamps, deep estuaries and river-mouth bars are well developed. Important ecosystems occur in these lowlands.
Belize's Cultural Resource Endowment
Belize was once a major part of what is now referred to as the Central Maya Lowlands, and played a significant role in the socio-political and economic development of the Classic Maya Civilization. The various important sites in Belize, such as Xunantunich, Caracol, Altun Ha, Lamanai, Cerros and Cahal Pech to mention a few, juxtapose Tikal, in the Department of Peten in Guatemala. Together they constitute a renowned and world class archaeological region.
Belize has more than one thousand registered archaeological sites, including naturally formed karstic caves. The majority of these still contain evidence of prehistoric use. The archaeological sites in Belize are distributed throughout the country, and as a result most protected areas have some evidence of prehistoric occupation.
These evidence range from elaborate architectural through domestic features and ceremonial to utilitarian artifacts. Whatever the contemporary values are of these material remains, they form part of the cultural process which must be protected, deciphered and interpreted to gain a better understanding of their use and value. Consequently, all those cultural resources, whether on land, on the sea bed, or in caves, need to be managed and protected.
Today, linked with neighboring countries such as Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador, Belize is an active participant in a multilateral arrangement which encourages sustainable use of the cultural resources in the region through the Mundo Maya initiative. The long and continuous chronology of Maya occupation in Belize allows the scientist, tourist and Belizean public, to enjoy an interesting and a lengthy journey through a prehistoric time zone of almost 3,000 years.
Archaeology is one of the major contributors to the foreign exchange earnings of the tourism industry of Belize. Cognizant of this and of its irreplaceable value, the Government of Belize is committed to ensuring the protection, conservation, enhancement and management of this rich and unique cultural resource.
Demographic Considerations
Belize's population is estimated at 216,500 persons. The population has grown by an estimated 30,000 between 1981 and 1991. This is partly the result of a large influx of Central American refugees, primarily Salvadorans and Guatemalans. A recent demographic feature of Belize indicates that the rural population has been growing, not only in absolute numbers, but also in its share of the total population. The urban rural balance has shifted over the years from 46% rural in 1970 to 49% in 1980, 52% in 1991 and 51% in 19944. This feature is explained by the tendency of the immigrants to settle in rural areas, by the higher fertility rates in the rural areas, and the reality that most of the out-migration occurs from the urban areas.
Both population growth and its high concentration in rural areas have important consequences for Belize's natural and cultural resources. Pressures on tropical forests are greater than what would be expected given the low population level. Similarly, the potential for unsustainable agricultural practices is increased by the growing rural population. Further, the provision of adequate services, including potable water and sanitation is expensive due to the population being scattered.
Economic Issues
The country's economy is highly dependent on activities which are based on the use of natural and cultural resources. It was traditionally based of the extraction of forest products, but is now highly dependent on tourism, the use of marine resources, and agriculture. Between 1980 and 1993 the services sector accounted for more than 50% of total GDP, while the secondary sector, (including manufacturing) contributed almost 26%. The primary sector accounted for 20%. In the services sector, trade, tourism and public administration are dominant while in agriculture, the production of sugarcane, citrus, banana, seafood and livestock are the major activities.
During the period 1980 to 1993 real GDP grew by an average of 5.2% while inflation remained close to 2%. Between 1987 and 1993 performance was higher, averaging 8.4% per year. Since 1993 the economy has slowed and real GDP has averaged 2.7% per year. Various factors have contributed to this slow down. Among these are:
Commitment to Manage the Resources for Sustainable Use
Even though Belize faces complex natural and cultural resource management challenges, the country is in a good position to address them for several reasons. Among these are:
The Government of Belize has expressed its commitment to comprehensively address natural and cultural resource management and protection by the enactment of the Environmental Protection Act, the passage of the National Parks Systems Act, implementation of the Ancient Monuments and Antiquities Ordinance, supporting integrated management of the coastal zone, declaration of protected areas on land and in the marine environment, and most recently, the launching of the Protected Areas Conservation Trust.
The Government's effort is being complemented by the activities of the NGO umbrella organizations, (ANDA, BACONGO, and CVSS), NGOs, and community-based organizations, CBOs, at all levels - from policy discussions through program development to project implementation.
Bilateral and multilateral agreements have also made considerable contribution to the progress that has been made in the effort to preserve, conserve, enhance and manage the natural and cultural resources of Belize. USAID made contributions through the Natural Resource Management and Protection Project (NARMAP), and the Tourism Management Project (TMP). The United Kingdom contributed to the extensive renewable resources data base and is currently financing the Forest Planning and Management Project (FPMP). The United Nations Development Program has been helping Belize to make great strides in the protection and management of the coastal zone through the Coastal Zone Management Project, and in empowering communities through the Sustainable Human Development Project.
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