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Wedged into the northeastern corner of Central America, Belize offers some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery - both above and below water - in the Caribbean. Throw in magnificent landscapes, vast archeological sites and wildlife to rival that of any destination in the region, and it's easy to see why the number of visitors to this tiny country increases every year.

Belizean territory comprises marginally more sea than land, and for most visitors the sea is the main attraction. Lying just offshore is one of the country's, and the continent's, most astonishing natural wonders - the dazzling turquoise shallows and cobalt depths of the longest barrier reef in the Americas. Beneath the surface, a brilliant technicolour world of fish and corals awaits divers and snorkellers, while a chain of islands known as cayes, scattered along the entire reef, protects the mainland from the ocean swell and holds more than a hint of tropical paradise. Beyond the reef lie the real jewels in Belize's natural crown - three of only four coral atolls in the Caribbean. These reefs and islands, among the most diverse marine ecosystems on the planet, are increasingly under threat; Belize, however, is developing effective protection for the entire coastal zone, which for visitors means a chance to explore some of the best marine reserves in the world.

Culturally, Belize is as Caribbean as it is Latin

In fact, Belizeans' recognition of the importance of their natural heritage means that the country now has the greatest proportion of protected land (over 40 percent) in the hemisphere. As a result, the densely forested interior remains relatively untouched. The rich tropical forests support a tremendous range of wildlife, including howler and spider monkeys, tapirs and pumas, jabiru storks and scarlet macaws. Although it's the only Central American country without a volcano, Belize does have some rugged uplands - the Maya Mountains, situated in the south-central region and rising to over 1100m. The country's main rivers start here, flowing north and east to the Caribbean, and forming some of the largest cave systems in the Americas along the way.

In addition to these natural attractions, Belize boasts a wealth of archeological remains. Rising mysteriously out of the forests are the ruins of the ancient cities of the Maya, the civilization that dominated the area from around 2000 BC until the arrival of the Spanish. Although only a few sites in Belize have been as extensively restored as the great Maya cities of Mexico's Yucatán Pensinsula, many are at least as large, and in their forest settings you'll see more wildlife and fewer tour buses.

Fact file
. Belize shares a border with Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south; to the east is the Caribbean Sea. Belize's 22,806 square kilometres of land is roughly equal to that of Massachusetts or Wales, and it has a slightly greater area of territorial sea. Tourism is now the mainstay of the economy, but agriculture and fishing still play important roles.
. Belize has a bicameral National Assembly, consisting of a House of Representatives with 29 members and a 12-member Senate. The government is headed by the Prime Minister but, as Belize is a constitutional monarchy, the head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, represented in Belize by the Governor-General, who is always a Belizean.
. As of July 2007, Belize's population was estimated at just under 295,000, with an average age of 20 years. Average life expectancy is 68 years.
. Belize's national anthem is "Land of the Free by the Carib Sea", and a recording by schoolchildren is broadcast every morning at 6am on Love FM. The national animal is the Baird's tapir, the national bird is the keel-billed toucan, the national flower is the black orchid and the national tree is the mahogany tree; you can see all of these at the Belize Zoo.

Culturally, Belize is as much a Caribbean nation as a Latin one, but with plenty of distinctively Central American features - above all, a blend of races and cultures that includes Maya, mestizo, African and European. English is the official language - Belize only gained full independence from Britain in 1981 - and Spanish is equally common, but it's the rich, lilting Creole, based on English but essentially Caribbean, that's spoken and understood by almost every Belizean.

Belizean art

The Belizean art scene becomes more self-assured every year. Locally born and naturalized artists abound in this visually inspirational country, and as generations grow up under their influence and develop their own political, environmental and social awareness, techniques and subjects become ever more sophisticated.

Whether you prefer classic watercolours of Caribbean shores, Picasso-esque abstracts, traditional Maya wood carvings or provocative installations, Belize's innumerable galleries are bound to have something to suit your tastes. Don't miss the excellent Image Factory in Belize City, where conceptual artists demonstrate their own brands of politically and socially charged work, and monthly exhibitions showcase pieces from around the country. Set in dramatic forest near the Guatemalan border, the astonishing Land-Sculpture Park of Poustinia features absorbing, environmentally and historically themed installations. And Belizeans from every corner of the country display their latest work at the Sidewalk Arts Festival in Placencia each February.

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