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Belize
City, with a population of 70,000, is a bustling, fascinating place,
the country's biggest city and former capital.
Located
on the east coast in the heart of the country, it is
a gateway to Belize's historical and cultural points.
Places
worth a visit while in Belize City include St. Johns Cathedral, the
oldest Anglican Cathedral Church in Central America.
It was built in 1812 from bricks brought as a ballast from
European sailing ships, and two Mosquito Coast Kings have been crowned
in it. Opposite the Cathedral
is the Government House, a
beautifully preserved, white-painted colonial building dating from
1814, and the residence of Belize's governor-general.
A block southwest from there is the Yarborough Cemetery, with
gravestones that outline the turbulent history of Belize back in 1781.
Towering over the harbor entrance at Fort George point is
the Lighthouse monument, which was built from money donated to the
country by Belize's greatest benefactor - Baron Bliss, the 5th baron
of Portugal. At his request, he was entombed in front of the lighthouse
which he designed himself prior to his death.
If you are interested in learning more in-depth history of
the city, tours are available.
On
the north side of the Swing Bridge, the world's only manual swing
bridge which is still being swung daily, you can find the Marine Terminal,
a beautifully restored former Belize City Fire Station.
It now houses two of Belize's new coastal and maritime museums. Art enthusiasts can visit the Image Factory, an art gallery
featuring work by Belize's contemporary artists. The gallery holds outstanding, often provocative exhibitions
and you can sometimes get a chance to discuss the work with the artists
themselves. The Bliss
Institute on the Southern Foreshore is the cultural center of the
city and sometimes features performances by visiting dance
or theatre companies. Also of interest is
the National Handicraft Center on North Front Street, which sells
high-quality Belizean crafts including beautiful carvings made from
zericote, a two-toned wood found only in Belize.
Belize
City is also a good starting point for other destinations, such as
the Community
Baboon Sanctuary or Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, the incredible
Cockscomb Basin and Jaguar Preserve, Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve,
the cayes and Barrier Reef, and Mayan archaeological sites such as
Caracol and Xunantunich.
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Radisson Fort George
other
Belize City hotels
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