The Caribbean is famous for the most mysterious islands and coastline, whose biosphere has not yet been studied even by 10%. One of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean is the Belize Barrier Reef, which is approximately 280 km long, which runs along the Belize coast in Central America.
This is an integral part of the Mesoamerican barrier reef, the length of which from the Guatemalan coast to the northernmost borders of the Yucatan Peninsula is a total of more than 900 km.
Tourist pearl of the Caribbean
The main attraction and tourism center of Belize is the Belize barrier reef, which runs only 13-14 km from the coast. It is the largest reef cluster in the Western Hemisphere and occupies an honorable second place in the world, second only to the Australian Great Barrier Reef.
The Belize barrier reef is composed of a chain of coral reefs - Ternef, Glovers Reef, Lighthouse Reef with small islands of different sizes (approximately 450), picturesque bays, shallows (over 540) and magnificent lagoons.
The most famous explorer of the deep sea among our contemporaries, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, established the non-volcanic nature of the origin of the reef, which distinguishes it from the nature of the occurrence of most reef clusters.
Countries located near the Belize barrier reef are Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. The reef is surrounded by the waters of the Gulf of Honduras and the Caribbean. Here, warm sea currents pass, which keep the temperature of water and air at approximately the same level throughout the year, creating special climatic conditions.
Historical information
There is evidence of archaeological expeditions that even before our era Indian tribes lived here, who later moved to the mainland and became residents of Honduras, Panama and other American states.
The name of this reef is also obliged to prehistoric settlers, although there is an opinion about the influence of the conquistadors and immigrants from South Africa. The first scientific description of the Belize Barrier Reef in North America belongs to Darwin, who was delighted with the variety of unique plants and animals and for the first time gave them detailed characteristics.
In the Middle Ages, the reef was chosen by pirates who ruled in the waters of the Caribbean Sea and arranged storage and marketing places for looted treasures on the islands. Subsequently, their descendants settled here and became fishermen, moved to the mainland and made up the bulk of the population of Belize and closely located states.
World Heritage List
In 1996, the UNESCO World Heritage List was supplemented by the unique ecosystems of the Belize Barrier Reef. The territories under protection cover more than 900 square kilometers. Significant objects of world heritage include:
- A large blue hole with a stunning color of water ;
- Glovers Reef and Khol Chan marine reserves with their rich underwater world;
- Half Moon Key natural monument, where you can meet rare species of birds and turtles.
Blue hole of the caribbean
A large blue hole with a depth of about 120 m and a diameter of 300 m is a truly unique natural phenomenon, similar to a funnel with striking blue water and a coral border. This natural wonder is rightfully considered the most beautiful place in the Caribbean. Its appearance on the site of a dry cave was caused by a rise in sea level with subsequent flooding.
Stalactites on the steep walls of the cave form ledges and at the same time convenient viewing platforms of natural origin. Visibility through the water column - 60 m, a surprisingly rich underwater world, the ability to study rare species of marine life attract professional divers from all over the world. No less impressive is the Blue Hole aerial view.
Marine reserves
From the town of San Pedro on the island of Ambergris, you can reach the Chan Chan Marine Reserve in a matter of minutes. The variety of species living in the reserve is striking: sea turtles, corals and sea sponges, many species of stingrays, dolphins, several species of sharks and more than one and a half hundred species of fish. Here diving sessions are organized for those who wish to swim with sharks and feed them, of course, in compliance with safety measures.
The Glovers Reef Marine Sanctuary is no less rich in beauty and equally saturated with various inhabitants of the sea. The divers will enjoy the divers at all levels, and those who wish to explore the underwater world will make a lot of discoveries for themselves.
Half Moon Key Natural Monument is home to hundreds of species of birds and sea turtles. Some species of birds, for example, the red-footed booby, live only here.
Since the natural heritage of the Belize Barrier Reef is declared a protected area, hunting and fishing, as well as the export of any resources, are prohibited in all protected areas.
Belize Tourism
A favorable climate, a beautiful underwater world, many attractions and ideal conditions for diving attract tourists from all over the world to Belize. The government supports the desire of travelers from all over the world to visit the beauty located near the reef.
In recent years, a lot of hotels have been built on the island reefs with a high level of service, which is able to satisfy the most daring expectations. A communication system between the islands has been established, many water, helicopter, underwater and ground excursions have been organized. Beginners can take a diving course and get an international certificate right here.
In addition to the impressions of observing the underwater world and visiting famous sights and protected areas, tourists will be interested in seeing the Belize Zoo, Butfield Park and the Government House. Interesting excursion routes at an affordable price, almost untouched nature and the opportunity to get a lot of impressions from extreme sports make visiting the Belize Reef a memorable adventure for life.
Ecology and the tasks of its conservation
Infrastructure development, poaching, and an ever-increasing influx of tourists are damaging the unique reef ecosystem. On the one hand, profit from the tourism industry allows us to develop the economy. On the other hand, tons of garbage that visitors leave behind, pollute a unique natural object and kill the inhabitants of the sea. Fishing with the use of hazardous chemicals, the capture of sea turtles and illegal spearfishing can lead to the fact that after some time there will be no trace of the variety of species, and some of them will become extinct.
The accumulation of toxic waste and an increase in the level of ultraviolet radiation in water leads to the so-called bleaching of corals, which can lead to the disappearance of the most beautiful reef chain and the entire ecosystem. The protective measures of the Belizean government and the assistance of the UNESCO World Organization should help preserve this amazing creation of nature. Our descendants must see the Belize Barrier Reef, therefore it is important to preserve for them this amazing natural object in its most pristine form.