Belize is formerly known as British Honduras and is a small country of approximately 280.00 persons. It is the only English-speaking country in Central America and is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, which recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as sovereign. Belize, like other Central American countries (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador) and southeast Mexico, was originally settled by the Maya. There are more than two dozen documented ancient Mayan language groups inthis area, three of whom currently are located in Belize. The Maya currently approximately 10% of the population of Belize and include the Yucatec in the north near the border of Yucatan, the Q'eqchi in the south, in the vicinity of Punta Gorda and the Mopan, Belize in the west, near the border town of Benque Viejo del Carmen.
THE MAYAN of Belize and EARLIER
Paleoindian is the earliest period recorded in Belize so far (about 11,500 – 8000's BC), followed by the Archaic (Ca. 8000 to 900 BC)and the approximate chronology of ancient Maya that these times preceramic follows:
* Pre-classical – 900 BC to 250 AD (often as early as 1500 BC)
* Classic – AD 250 to 900
* Postclassic – AD 900-1500
* Historical and Colonial – AD 1500 to Present
Many Web sites and city-states was represented in Belize, that these time limits, in particular: Cerros, Colha, Cuello, Caracol, Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Lamanai, Altun Ha,Lubaantun, El Pilar, Santa Rita, and sacred caves, including Barton Creek, Actun Tunichil Muknal and Che Chem Ha. The occupational history of the Maya in the southeast of Mexico and Central America is endless so because today there are over 5 million Mayan descendants, and Belize is certainly a part of this.
BELIZE historical time
Early 16th Century records show that in 1544 was the Maya city of Lamanai, in northern Belize, a part of the Spanish encomiendaSystem (royal grant to a Spaniard for the right to work and a tribute to local people, they are) also responsible for the Christianization of the natives. Although it is certainly early reports of Spanish contact in other areas of the New World, the historical record of the Lamanai and the construction of a church in Spanish Lamanai to the year 1570, make sure the influence of European settlement in Belize.
The Maya society have encountered these first Europeans had a very differentPopulation, that many changes, since the amount had suffered the "Classic". Contacts in Belize with the Europeans was to the detriment of the other Maya by disease, slavery and war. During the 18th Century by logging concessions in Britain by Spain in view of the modern boundaries of Belize have been created. However, Spain did not settle the sovereignty of the country. The British settlers at that time were primarily ex-pirates, who are no longer supported by their governments,now trying to stamp out piracy. These settlers called for British support and protection from the attacks of the Spanish and the rest of the Maya population. The most famous of the British armed forces involvement was the Battle of St. George's Caye in 1798, it was the battle that marks the end of the Spanish claims to the territory.
RECENT HISTORY OF BELIZE
It took about two hundred years after Spanish contact for Belize's independence from Spain to win, it wasBelize, in 1871 that was officially a British colony. After this time, both the population and the economy strong, especially the economy grew at Forest Products mahogany, chicle and logwood-centered. The population is growing contain groups of African, Garifuna, Mestizo (a mixture of Spanish and Mayan descent), Maya, and the refugees from the Caste War in Mexico. During the nineteenth and early twentieth century, a number of Indian and Chinese workers came tothe abolition of slavery, and the Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian Arabs have arrived, fleeing the political unrest in the Middle East. It was in the 1950s that Belize is supporting a unique settlement with Mennonites from Mexico, the agreement provides for granting sovereignty Mennonites like Native Americans in the United States were.
It was also in 1950 that George Price led the campaign for the independence of Belize. Was achieved as with other British colonies self-governmentin 1964. Because of the continuing threat to overtake in Guatemala to Belize, when the British pulled, Belize is not true independence will be completed, to 21 September 1981. Since Belize needed protection and had no forces in a full-time British army remained until 1994, in Belize.
Belize is a fascinating country and immigration over the years have developed a unique multi-cultural creation-friendly society.
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