We are visiting Belize, a vibrant country on the eastern coast of Central America. There are around 400,000 people living here, and while many people think it is Belize City, the capital is actually Belmopan. It is the only country in Central America where English is the official language, though many people also speak Spanish and a colorful language called Kriol.

Belize is quite small, covering about 22,966 square kilometers, or 8,867 square miles. To imagine its size, the whole country is about the same size as the state of New Jersey in the U.S., or roughly half the size of Switzerland. Despite its small size, it is home to both thick tropical jungles and the largest coral reef in the Northern Hemisphere.

The most popular sport here is Football, but many people also enjoy Basketball and Cycling. Their national animal is the Baird’s Tapir, a strange and wonderful creature that looks like a mix between a pig and an elephant with a short, flexible trunk.

The flag is very unique because it is the only national flag in the world to feature humans as a major part of the design, showing two woodcutters standing in front of a mahogany tree against a blue background with red borders.

The food is a tasty mix of cultures. The most common meal is Rice and Beans, usually served with potato salad and stewed chicken. You should also try Fry Jacks, which are deep-fried pieces of dough that puff up and are eaten for breakfast with eggs and beans.

Belize is home to the Great Blue Hole, a giant underwater sinkhole that looks like a perfect dark blue circle in the middle of the turquoise ocean; it is so big that you can see it from space! Deep in the jungle, you can find ancient Maya Pyramids like Caracol, which is still the tallest man-made structure in the entire country. Belize also has the world’s only Jaguar Preserve, a special forest called the Cockscomb Basin where these big, spotted cats are protected. Another interesting sight is the Howler Monkey, whose roar is so loud it can be heard through the forest from three miles away!

From the ancient stone temples to the colorful underwater reefs, Belize is a land of nature and history.