Belize (/bəˈliːz/ ), formerly known as British Honduras, is a Caribbean country located on the northeastern coast of Central America. Belize is bordered on the northwest by Mexico, on the east by the Caribbean Sea, and on the south and west by Guatemala. It has an area of 22,970 square kilometres (8,867 sq mi) and a population of 408,487 (2019). Its mainland is about 290 km (180 mi) long and 110 km (68 mi) wide. It has the lowest population and population density in Central America.[1]
Since records began in 1851, only two hurricanes have had Category 5 hurricane strength and have hit or hit close by to Belize, with the two being Hurricane Janet in 1955 and Hurricane Dean in 2007. Along with only two storms of Category 5 strength impacting Belize, only three Category 4 hurricanes have impacted Belize, including the 1931 British Honduras hurricane, Hurricane Keith in 2000, and Hurricane Iris in 2001. The most recent tropical cyclone to hit Belize was Tropical Storm Nadine in 2024.
- ^ "World Population Prospects: The 2008 Revision Population Database". United Nations. March 11, 2009. Archived from the original on 19 August 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2010.