Belize is the only English-speaking country located in Central America.
Once British Honduras, it obtained independence in 1981. The name was changed to Belize in 1973. This small nation that once formed part of the great Mayan Civilization was settled by the British sometime in 1638 and was exploited initially for logwood extraction that was used for dye. To note is that there would be constant clashes with Mayan communities that were hidden in the jungle, and when some were captured, they would be sold into slavery.

Later on, when synthetic dyes began to be produced in Europe, the demand for logwood decreased and loggers shifted to mahogany extraction. This was called The Mahogany Revolution and several changes occurred, including changes in demographics. One major change was the buying of large numbers of enslaved Africans, bought mostly from Jamaica, to work in this industry. Slavery was abolished in 1834, but in Belize, full emancipation occurred in 1838. Their descendants made up most of the population since then, the dominant culture being the Creole Culture.

The Maya were the original inhabitants of the land, whose descendants still hold on to their strong traditions and way of life today. Main communities can be found mainly in Northern, Western, and Southern Belize. Remnants of the Maya Civilization can be found in the many archeological sites scattered across the country, findings of historical significance, and the main communities and their rich culture that still exist today.