Geography |
Belize covers an area of 22 965 km2 along the eastern coast of central America. It is bounded on the east by Guatemala and on the south by Mexico. The maximum altitude is about 1 100 m. A low coastal plain occupies the greater portion of the northern half and eastern fringe of the country.
The Maya Mountains, with an average altitude between 300 and 600 m (and a maximum elevation of 1120 m atop Victoria Peak), occupy the south-western half. The principal streams are the Belize River; the Río Azul, which forms much of the boundary with Mexico; and the Sarstún River, which forms the south-western boundary with Guatemala.
The climate of Belize is subtropical, moderated by sea breezes along the coast. The average annual temperature is about 26° C. The total annual rainfall increases from north to south and averages about 1800 mm. A rainy season extends from May to February.
The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.