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Belize

their peak, 1 to 2 million Amerindians lived within the borders of present- day Belize. Several major archaeological sites, such as Caracol, Lamanai, Lubaantun, Altun Ha, and Xunantunich, were once great Mayan towns with farmland between them. No one knows for certain what caused the disappearance of the Maya. Perhaps it was war, loss of faith, famine, or a series of natural disasters. Eventually, the civilization declined, leaving behind small groups whose descendants continue to live mainly in Belize and Guatemala. By the time the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, many of the Mayan cities were deserted. European contact began in 1502 when Christopher Columbus sailed along the coast. He did not come ashore, however, only naming the bay bordering the southern part of the giant barrier reef the Bay of Honduras. The first recorded European settlement in the region happened acci- dentally. In 1638, a band of shipwrecked English sailors landed on the

Words to Understand in this Chapter

buccaneer— a pirate who preyed on Spanish ships in the Caribbean during the 17th century. galleon— a heavy square-rigged sailing ship of the 15th to early 18th centuries used for war or commerce. Monroe Doctrine— United States’ foreign policy that does not permit European control or influence in the Western Hemisphere. parliamentary democracy— a system of government in which a legislative body is responsible for making the laws. The people elect the members of Parliament.