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