Belize gained independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981, making it one of the youngest independent nations in the Americas.

Formerly known as British Honduras until 1973, Belize is the only Central American country where English is the official language.

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east.

The country is home to the second-largest barrier reef system in the world (after Australia's Great Barrier Reef).

Belize is the only Central American country that was a British colony, rather than Spanish.

The population is remarkably diverse, including Creole, Garifuna, Maya, Mestizo, Chinese, Lebanese, and European communities.

The country has the lowest population density in Central America, with approximately 400,000 people spread across 8,867 square miles.

Over 60% of Belize is covered by forest, and about 40% of the country's land mass is under some form of environmental protection.

Has the largest cave system in Central America, including the famous Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave, containing ancient Maya artifacts and human remains.

Is home to the Great Blue Hole, a massive underwater sinkhole that's over 1,000 feet wide and 400 feet deep, visible from space and one of the world's top diving sites.

Was the heart of the ancient Maya civilization, with more than 900 Maya sites identified, including Caracol and Lamanai.

Has Placencia, which holds the Guinness World Record for the narrowest main street in the world at just 4 feet wide.

Houses the only jaguar preserve in the world - the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Is considered the birthplace of the Garifuna culture, which UNESCO has proclaimed a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity."

Has an island that was immortalized in Madonna's song "La Isla Bonita" - Ambergris Caye.

Features a unique geological formation called the Mountain Pine Ridge, where pine forests grow on granite and limestone karst terrain in a tropical setting.