978-1-4222-3285-9

38

Belize

nities on the islands and shores of Central America. In 1802, some came to Belize from the Bay Islands of Honduras. Today, the Garifuna are clustered in the southern towns of Punta Gorda and Dangriga, as well as the villages of Seine Bight, Hopkins, Georgetown, and Barranco. Some also reside in Belize City and Belmopan. Fishing and agriculture are tradition-

Did You Know?

• Belize received its independence from Great Britain on September 21, 1981. • The capital of Belize is Belmopan. • The voting age is 18. • Major political parties include the

People’s United Party (PUP) and United Democratic Party (UDP).

al ways of life for the Garifuna. Rituals and traditions are important to them as they strive to maintain a distinct place in Belizean society. November 19 is a national holiday in Belize commemorating the arrival of the Garifuna on the shores of Belize in 1802. The Maya in Belize Belize was the home of the earliest Mayan settlements. Archaeologists have found traces in Belize’s Orange Walk District of Mayan communities that date as far back as 2000 B . C . It is estimated that around 1 million Maya pop- ulated Belize at one time, but today there are only about 30,000. There are three groups of Mayan Amerindians in Belize: the Yucatec, Mopan, and Kekchi Mayas. The Yucatec originated from Yucatán, and came to Belize in the mid-19th century, fleeing civil war in Mexico. Most can be found today in the Corozal and Orange Walk districts. The Yucatec Mayas in Belize mainly speak English and Spanish instead of their native language.