Without a doubt, the great attraction of Belize is its coral reef, nevertheless, this does not mean that the country does not have a strong culture rooted in its people. The strongest cultural influence came from the great Mayan civilization which existed fro centuries in Central America., leaving its rich and fascinating monuments and pyramids, not only for its descendants to visit and explore, but also for tourists from around the world.
During the classical period of the Mayan Empire, the primary ceremonial center was the Altun Ha. Between the years, 1000 B.C. and 1400 A.D., it was an important city and also the commercial hub connecting the other interior and coastal Mayan centers. The temple to the sun god was also located there.
The ruins of Altun Ha consisted of two principal courtyards with thirteen temples and some residential structures. Archeological evidence indicates that the Mayans established themselves in Altun Ha. from 200 B.C., with various stages of reoccupation until the fourteenth century.
Another Mayan ceremonial center was located in the city of Orange Wak, o Lamanai, which means submerged crocodile. This temple has more than seven hundred structures covering an area of approximately 405 hectors. One of the largest Mayan archeological sites is the Noh Mul, a valuable Mayan ruin, which due to the lack of preservation and intense vegetation in the area, has lost part of its characteristic features. In Corozal, the Santa Rita ruins also are not in good condition, having been plundered repeatedly through the years.
Belize is also well known for its incredible, untouched flora and fauna. The country preserves its tropical jungles with reserves and parks which maintain its animal life and vegetation for nature lovers where you still can see animals in their natural habitat, such as the puma. The World¹s Biggest, Smallest Zoo is a sanctuary of wildlife of gnarled trees, botanical gardens, the Janus Medical Foundation, the Herbal Trail, The Godoy Garden of Orchids, and the House of Butterflies. For bird watchers, it is an excellent location to appreciate the 540 different species which include the Jabiru, the largest bird in the southern hemisphere.
The architecture found in Belize City also is very interesting with wooden houses, most constructed up high on wooden stilts, with aluminum roofs which serve to capture rainwater. The population is chiefly made up of Negroes; however, it is varied including descendants of the Mayans, some people groups from the Caribbean, Caucasians, Chinese, and Indian descendants.
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