Belize Barrier Reef in North America: description, features and interesting facts

The Caribbean is famous for the most mysterious islands and coastline, the biosphere of which has not been studied until now, even by 10%. One of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean waters is the Belize Barrier Reef, approximately 280 km long, which runs along the coast of Belize in Central America.

It is an integral part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the length of which from the Guatemalan coasts to the most northern borders of the Yucatan peninsula is a total of more than 900 km.

Tourist pearl of the Caribbean Sea

The main attraction and the tourism center of Belize is the Belize barrier reef, which passes 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, behind only the Australian Great Barrier Reef.

The Belize barrier reef chain of coral reefs - Turnes, Glovers Reef, Lighthouse Reef with small islands of various sizes (about 450), picturesque bays, shoals (more than 540) and magnificent lagoons.

The most famous explorer of the sea depths among our contemporaries Jacques-Yves Cousteau established the non-volcanic nature of the reef's origin, which distinguishes it from the nature of the appearance of most reef clusters.

The countries that are located near the Belize barrier reef are Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. Surround the reef is the water area of the Honduran Bay and the Caribbean Sea. There are warm sea currents that keep the temperature of water and air at about the same level throughout the year, creating special climatic conditions.

Historical background

There are data from archaeological expeditions that even before our era there lived tribes of Indians, who subsequently moved to the mainland and became residents of Honduras, Panama and other states of America. The name of this reef is also due to prehistoric settlers, although there is an opinion on the influence of conquistadors and settlers from South Africa. The first scientific description of the Belize Barrier Reef in North America belongs to Darwin, who was delighted with the diversity 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 were in the waters of the Caribbean Sea and arranged places for storing and selling the 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.

List of World Heritage Sites

In 1996, the UNESCO World Heritage Site was supplemented by the unique ecosystems of the Belize Barrier Reef. Territories under protection cover more than 900 square kilometers. To the significant objects of the world heritage are:

• A large blue hole with a stunning color of water ;
• Marine reserves Glovers-Reef and Hol-Chan with their richest underwater world;
• A natural monument Half Moon-Ki, where you can meet rare species of birds and turtles.

Blue Hole of the Caribbean Sea

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 strikingly blue water and a coral border. This miracle of nature is rightfully considered the most beautiful place in the Caribbean islands. The appearance of it on the site of a dry cave was caused by a rise in sea level followed by flooding. Stalactites on the steep walls of the cave form protrusions and at the same time comfortable viewing platforms of natural origin. Visibility through the water column - 60 m, surprisingly rich underwater world, the opportunity to study rare species of marine inhabitants attract professional divers from all over the world. No less impressive is the Blue Hole from a bird's eye view.

Marine reserves

From the town of San Pedro on the island of Ambergris, you can get to the Hol-Chan marine reserve in a matter of minutes. The variety of species inhabiting the reserve is amazing: sea turtles, corals and sea sponges, many types of stingrays, dolphins, several species of sharks and more than one and a half hundred species of fish. It organizes diving sessions for those wishing to swim with sharks and feed them, naturally, with the observance of security measures.

The marine reserve Glovers-Reef is no less rich in beauty and is also saturated with various inhabitants of the sea. Pleasure from diving will be given to divers of all levels of training, and those wishing to explore the underwater world will make a lot of discoveries for themselves.

The natural monument Half-Moon-Ki is the habitat of hundreds of species of birds and sea turtles. Some species of birds, for example, the red-footed boobies, live only here.

Since the natural heritage of the Belize Barrier Reef is declared a protected area, hunting and fishing are prohibited in all protected areas, as well as the export of any resources.

Tourism in Belize

A favorable climate, a beautiful underwater world, many attractions and ideal conditions for diving attract tourists to Belize from all over the world. The government of the country supports the aspiration of travelers from all over the world to visit the beauty located near the reef.

Over the past years, on the territory of island reefs, many hotels with a high level of service have been built, which is able to satisfy the most daring expectations. There is a system of communication between the islands, a lot of water, helicopter, underwater and ground excursions are organized. Beginners can take diving courses and receive an international certificate right here.

In addition to impressions from watching the underwater world and visiting famous sights and protected areas, tourists will be interested to see the Belize Zoo, Batfield 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 memorable for a lifetime adventure.

Ecology and the tasks of its preservation

Infrastructure development, poaching and a constantly increasing influx of tourists are damaging the unique reef ecosystem. On the one hand, the profit from the tourism industry makes it possible to develop the economy. On the other - tons of garbage left behind by visitors, pollute a unique natural object and kill the inhabitants of the sea. Extraction of fish with the use of hazardous chemicals, trapping sea turtles and illegal spearfishing can lead to the fact that after a while there will be no trace of a variety of species, and some of them will die out altogether.

Accumulation of toxic waste and increasing the level of ultraviolet in water leads to so-called coral bleaching, which can lead to the disappearance of the most beautiful reef chain and the entire ecosystem. The security measures of the Government of Belize and the assistance of the world organization of UNESCO should help to preserve this amazing creation of nature. The Belize Barrier Reef should be seen by our descendants, so it is important to preserve this amazing natural object for them in the most pristine state.