Belize Information

History:

As the only English speaking country in Central America, Belize’s history is unique to its Central American counterparts.

While the Mayans, the country’s first inhabitants date back to Prehistoric times, The Spanish first arrived in the mid 1500’s.  Despite their attempts to occupy the territory, the relentless resistance from the Mayans along with the arrival of British Logwood settlers in the mid 1700’s, made their attempts to consolidate their presence futile.  The lost naval battle of 1798 marked the Spaniards last serious attempt to gain control over Belize.  In 1862, after increasing their control on the territory due to their Logwood interests, the British declared Belize a British Colony, giving it the name British Honduras. Belize remained a British Colony until gaining its independence in 1981.