Belize: Geography#
Location | Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico |
---|---|
Geographic Coordinates | 17 15 N, 88 45 W 17.25,-88.75 |
Area | total: 22,966 sq km land: 22,806 sq km water: 160 sq km [Verified in 8 databases] |
Land boundaries | total: 542 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 276 km |
Coastline | 386 km |
Elevation Extremes | lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,160 m |
Highest Mountains | |
Terrain | flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south |
Natural Hazards | frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south) |
Natural Resource | arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower |
Land Use | arable land: 3.27% permanent crops: 1.39% other: 95.34% (2011) |
Climate | tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) |
Irrigated Land | 30 sq km (2003) |
Renewable Water Resources | 18.55 cu km (2011) |
Environment_CurrentIssues | deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal |
Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Large Cities | Belize City; San Ignacio; Orange Walk; Belmopan; Dangriga [Verified] Important Cities |
Geography-note | only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean |