There is a low coastal plain, much of it covered with mangrove swamp, but the land rises gradually towards the interior. The Maya Mountains and the Cockscomb Range form the backbone of the southern half of the country, the highest point being Doyle's Delight (1124 meters above sea level) in the Cockscomb Range. The Cayo District in the west includes the Mountain Pine Ridge, ranging from 305 to around 914 metres above sea level. The northern districts contain considerable areas of tableland. There are many rivers, some of them navigable for short distances by shallow-draught vessels. A large part of the mainland is forest.

The area of the mainland and cayes is 8,867 square miles. The country's greatest length from north to south is 280 kilometres and its greatest width is 109 kilometres. The climate is subtropical, tempered by trade winds. Temperatures in coastal districts range from about 10 °C (50°F) to about 35.6°C (96°F); inland the range is greater. Rainfall varies from an average of 1,295 millimetres in the north to 4,445 millimetres in the extreme south. The dry season usually extends from February to May and there is sometimes a dry spell in August

The stable, democratic, English-speaking country of Belize lies in the western Caribbean on the coast of Central America. Belize is home to an interesting mix of over ten different cultures including Garifuna, Maya, Creole, Mestizo, East Indian, and German Mennonites. Belize also lays claim to hundreds of ancient Maya temples, large tracts of intact tropical rainforest, and this hemisphere's longest barrier reef.

Belize offers a myriad of exciting adventure possibilities:

• A network of picturesque rivers and cascading waterfalls winding from the Maya Mountains to the Caribbean Sea. Spectacular limestone caves strewn with Maya pottery beckon you to canoe, cave tube, and bird watch.
  
• With 40 per cent of the country's landmass under some type of protection and dotted with restored and unexcavated Mayan sites, you are enticed to hike rainforest trails and climb ancient ruins and temples.
  
• Offshore, hundreds of coral sand islands (or cayes) with swaying coconut palm trees and sun-kissed beaches invite you to snorkel patch reefs, dive the Blue Hole and drop offs, kayak, fly-fish, or just relax.
  
• A country alive with hundreds of bird species, colorful fish, exotic tropical plants and animals combined with friendly Belizeans throughout colorful towns and villages makes Belize an adventurer's paradise.

Discover, explore, learn, invest, relax, enjoy.

Choose your Belize adventure. Start here.