“BELIZE", Circa 1600's
The Spanish and English come colonizing then go at odds over land ownership. The British Crown eventually gained control and established the name of "British Honduras". So where did the name Belize come from? Was it from a Spanish priest or maybe pirates? There are many theories but it would be centuries before the name officially changed to Belize in 1973.
HISTORY
“Sub Umbra Floreo - Under The Shade I Flourish”
The most prominent symbol by which Belize is known is the coat of arms. It was first adopted in 1907 and used as a badge for the British army. It would later be placed on the flag making Belize the only country in the world to depict people on the flag. After World War II, the push for independence came with the formation of a group known as "The People's Committee". And with that a flag to represent the nation they hoped to be. The coat of arms was added to a plain blue background. 
In Belize fashion, the name later changed to People's United Party (PUP). Red strips got added to the top and bottom of the flag to represent the party. The reason for their formation is a similar story to all colonized countries. The Crown imposed measures that put a strain on the economy. Then due to the effects of the war, most countries entered a period of recovery. Unlike the states, no wars or throwing loads of tea into the ocean was necessary to achieve independence, which was gained in 1981 by the PUP; however, with the newfound freedom also came opposition within the country. The PUP faced a challenger in 1984; The United Democratic Party (UDP) which won the elections upsetting the PUP. Since then, both parties have lost and regained control multiple times. Tension also came from its neighbor, Guatemala, which has an ongoing dispute over border lines. The Guatemala government originally expected Britain to pass ownership of the territory over to them, but the Belize citizens did not wish this as mentioned with the forming of the PUP. Conflicts have not escalated to the levels of war and the status remains "peaceful", but it's still a good idea to not venture close to the border unless you plan to cross.
TEMPLES
To start with what makes Belize great, let's go back to the earliest known inhabitants, the Maya. Their civilization thrived for centuries prior to the Aztecs and completely fell with the coming of the Spanish. Now, their remnants live on through the small population of Maya descendants and 12 amazing temple sites. The most popular (and accessible) ones being Xunantunich (pictured above), Caracol, Lamanai and Altun Ha. These sites are protected so when visiting remember to stay on designated paths and avoid products that could harm the environment, even if left in designated trash bins. Wildlife can sometimes get into these and carry items elsewhere.
BARRIER REEF
The second, and arguably the main, attraction of Belize would be the Barrier Reef along with the Great Blue Hole. The reef is the largest in the Northern Hemisphere and 2nd largest in the world. Home to one of Belize's national treasures, sea turtles. Which makes Belize a premier destination for snorkeling and diving. Jacques Cousteau dubbed The Great Blue Hole as one of the top five diving sites in the world!
WILDLIFE
And speaking of animals. Belize is home to many exotic wildlife you can see all in one country without going to the zoo such as Howler Monkeys, Manatees, Tapirs (national animal), Toucans (national bird), and Jaguars, oh my! But you definitely don't want to see a Jaguar out in the wild. Luckily, the Cookscomb Wildlife Sanctuary is the only Jaguar reserve in the world where you can safely see them in their natural habitat! 
LANDSCAPE
Other nature related features of Belize are the jungles and mountains which hide cave systems, crystal clear springs, waterfalls, and mysteries of local legends. Learn more about local legends at "Anansi's Web“ blog. Two popular excursions for travelers are zip lining and cave tubing. A famous site for tubing is called "Jaguar Paw". Named after the character in Apocalypto who took a tour of the river.
CULTURES
But what really makes Belize unique is the people. It is the only place in the world where you will find a blend of Afro, Spanish, Indigenous, and European people mixed into one culture. While English remains the primary language spoken. It's undeniable the influences of the Mestizo, Creole (Kriol), Maya, and Garifuna people across Belize. This is best seen in the cuisines. The official dish of Belize is called "1,2,3" which stands for Rice & Beans, Potato Salad, and Stew Chicken (with a side of plantains of course). So I guess it's more like "1, 2, 3 and a half". Other popular foods are Panades and Salbutes which borrow from Spanish dishes of empanadas and tostadas. Dukunu which is a type of moist corncake of Maya origin, Meat Pies similar to Jamaican beef patties, Fry Jack a type of funnel cake pastry that are staple at breakfast time, Boil Up which is a Kriol dish and then my favorite meal, BLACK DINNER! A soup made with a special burnt seasoning that produces a black color. It contains chicken, ground beef, boiled eggs, and is served with warm tortillas. I personally feel this dish best defines Belize culture. To me, the variety is the perfect representation of how Belize has blended into one with the ingredients given.
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