| Belize is formerly known as British Honduras | | | | supported by their governments who were now |
| and is a small country of approximately | | | | attempting to stamp out piracy. These |
| 280,00 people. It is the only English | | | | settlers called for British support and |
| speaking country in Central America and is a | | | | protection from the attacks by the Spanish |
| constitutional monarchy and parliamentary | | | | and remaining Maya populations. The most |
| democracy that recognizes Queen Elizabeth II | | | | famous of the British armed forces |
| as sovereign. Belize, as with other Central | | | | involvement was the Battle of St. George's |
| American countries (Guatemala, Honduras, El | | | | Caye in 1798; it was the battle that marked |
| Salvador) and southeastern Mexico, was | | | | the end of the Spanish claims to the |
| originally settled by the ancient Maya. There | | | | territory.MORE RECENT BELIZE HISTORYIt took |
| are over two-dozen documented ancient Mayan | | | | some two hundred years after Spanish contact |
| linguistic groups in this area, three of | | | | for Belize to gain independence from Spain, |
| which currently reside in Belize. The Maya | | | | it was in 1871 that Belize was officially |
| currently make up about 10% of the population | | | | declared a British Crown Colony. After this |
| of Belize and include the Yucatec in the | | | | time both the population and economy grew |
| north near the Yucatan border, the Q'eqchi in | | | | significantly, the economy primarily centered |
| the south, near Punta Gorda, and the Mopan, | | | | around forest products of Mahogany, chicle, |
| in western Belize near the border town of | | | | and logwood. The population increases |
| Benque Viejo del Carmen.THE MAYA OF BELIZE | | | | included groups of African, Garifuna, mestizo |
| AND EARLIERPaleoindian is the earliest time | | | | (a mix of Spanish and Maya descent), and Maya |
| period recorded in Belize thus far (Ca. | | | | refugees fleeing the Caste War in Mexico. |
| 11,500 - 8000 BC) this is followed by the | | | | During the nineteenth and early twentieth |
| Archaic (Ca. 8000 - 900 BC) and the | | | | centuries a number of Indian and Chinese |
| approximate ancient Maya Chronology that | | | | indentured laborers arrived after the |
| follows these preceramic periods include:* | | | | abolition of slavery, and Palestinian, |
| Preclassic - 900 BC to AD 250 (often cited as | | | | Lebanese, and Syrian Arabs also began |
| early as 1500 BC)* Classic - AD 250 to 900* | | | | arriving, fleeing the political unrest in the |
| Postclassic - AD 900 to 1500* Historic and | | | | Middle East. It was in the 1950's that Belize |
| Colonial - AD 1500 to PresentNumerous sites | | | | backed a unique settlement with Mennonites |
| and city-states existed throughout Belize | | | | from Mexico; this settlement provides |
| that represent these time periods, notably: | | | | Mennonites with sovereignty similar to what |
| Cerros, Colha, Cuello, Caracol, Xunantunich, | | | | Native Americans in the United States were |
| Cahal Pech, Lamanai, Altun Ha, Lubaantun, El | | | | granted.It was also in 1950 that George Price |
| Pilar, Santa Rita, and sacred caves that | | | | led the campaign for Belizean Independence. |
| include Barton Creek, Actun Tunichil Muknal, | | | | As with other British colonies |
| and Che Chem Ha. The occupational history of | | | | self-government was achieved in 1964. Due to |
| the Maya in southeast Mexico and Central | | | | Guatemala's continued threat to overtake |
| America is endless especially since today | | | | Belize once the British pulled out, Belize's |
| there are over 5 million Maya descendants and | | | | true independence did not take place until |
| Belize is certainly a portion of this.BELIZE | | | | September 21, 1981. Since Belize needed |
| HISTORIC PERIODEarly 16th century records | | | | protection and had no army forces a full time |
| indicate that in AD 1544 the Maya city of | | | | British army remained in Belize until |
| Lamanai, in northern Belize, was to be part | | | | 1994.Belize is a fascinating country and |
| of the Spanish encomienda system (royal grant | | | | immigrations through the years have created a |
| to a Spaniard for the right to labor and | | | | unique multi-cultural friendly society.Laura |
| tribute a native population, they are also | | | | J. Howard holds a Masters' of Science degree |
| responsible for christianizing the natives). | | | | in Anthropology with a specilization in Maya |
| Although there certainly are early reports of | | | | archaeology. After researching in Belize for |
| Spanish contact in other areas of the New | | | | five years after her graduate work she now |
| World, the documented reference of Lamanai | | | | splits her time between south Florida and |
| and the construction of a Spanish church at | | | | Belize. She has been active in Belize |
| Lamanai around AD 1570 provide securely dated | | | | tourism and Maya archaeology since 1996, and |
| European settlement influence in Belize.The | | | | now has a unique ecotourism company, Beyond |
| Maya society these first Europeans | | | | Touring, that focuses soley on Belize, the |
| encountered were a very different population | | | | ancient Maya, and natural history. Beyond |
| that had undergone many transformations since | | | | Touring also offers an authentic |
| the height of the "Classic Period". Contact | | | | cross-cultural experience that allows clients |
| in Belize with Europeans was detrimental to | | | | to 'give back' to the wonderful areas they |
| the existing Maya through disease, slavery, | | | | visit in Belize. The projects Beyond Touring |
| and fighting. During the 18th century through | | | | supports aim to provide sustainable economic |
| logging concessions given to Britain by Spain | | | | endeavors for local residents of Belize, |
| the modern boundaries of Belize were created. | | | | specifically Indian Church Village, located |
| Spain claimed sovereignty but did not settle | | | | in northern Belize and adjacent to the |
| the land. The British settlers at this time | | | | Lamanai Archaeological Reserve. |
| were primarily ex-pirates who were no longer | | | | |