Belmopan

After Hurricane Hattie in 1961 destroyed approximately 75% of the houses and business places in low-lying and coastal Belize City, the government proposed to encourage and promote the building of a new capital city. This new capital would be on better terrain, would entail no costly reclamation of land, and would provide for an industrial area. In 1962, a committee chose the site now known as Belmopan, {{convert|82|km|mi}} southwest of the old capital of Belize City.

Since Belize was a British colony (known as British Honduras) in 1964, Premier George Cadle Price led a delegation to London to seek funds to finance the new capital.{{cite web|url=http://www.channel5belize.com/archive_detail_story.php?story_id=12107 |title=Exhibition highlights history of Belmopan |date=30 July 2004 |website=channel5belize.com |access-date=27 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106035720/http://www.channel5belize.com/archive_detail_story.php?story_id=12107 |archive-date=6 November 2011 }} Although they were not ready to commit to funding such a large project, the British government showed interest due to the logic of locating the capital on high ground safe from storm surges. To encourage financial commitment from the British government, Premier Price and the People's United Party government invited Anthony Greenwood, Secretary of State for the Commonwealth and Colonies, to visit Belize. One of the highlights of this visit was the unveiling of a monument at mile 49 on the Western Highway. The monument records that Lord Greenwood dedicated the site for the new capital on 9 October 1965.

The name chosen for the new capital, Belmopan, is derived from the union of two words: "Belize", the name of the longest river in the country, and "Mopan",{{cite web |url=http://www.mybelizeadventure.com/destinations/cayo/belmopan/ |title=Belmopan at MyBelizeAdventure.com : Destinations: Cayo : Belmopan |access-date=7 February 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070502132359/http://www.mybelizeadventure.com/destinations/cayo/belmopan/ |archive-date=2 May 2007 }} one of the rivers in this area, which empties into the Belize River. The initial estimated cost for building this new city was 40 million Belize dollars (US$20.5 million). Only 20 million Belize dollars (US$10 million) were available, but the momentum was not to be lost.{{cite journal |last1=Kearns |first1=Kevin C. |title=Belmopan: Perspective on a New Capital |journal=Geographical Review |date=1973 |volume=63 |issue=2 |pages=147–169 |doi=10.2307/213409|jstor=213409 }}

In 1967, work began; the first phase of the new city was completed in 1970 at a cost of 24 million Belize dollars (US$12 million). From 1970 to 2000 the administration of Belmopan was managed by the Reconstruction and Development Corporation, known as "Recondev."{{cite web |url=http://www.casacayorealestate.net/aboutbelize.php |title=About Belize |publisher=Casa Cayo Real Estate |access-date=29 June 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229134115/http://www.casacayorealestate.net/aboutbelize.php |archive-date=29 February 2008}} Recondev was vested with the power and authority to provide, or cause to be provided, the municipal functions necessary for the smooth running of the city's business and infrastructure.

There was a reluctance initially amongst foreign governments to relocate their embassies to Belmopan as there was some doubt as to whether this inland area would really become the functioning capital. The British High Commission opened in 1981 when Belize achieved independence, moving to its current location in 1984. In February 2005, the United States government began construction of its embassy's chancery in Belmopan,{{cite web|url=http://belize.usembassy.gov/groundbreaking.html |title=Groundbreaking Ceremony for New U.S. Embassy Compound |date=Feb 14, 2005 |website=U.S. Embassy in Belize |access-date=8 February 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060922201805/http://belize.usembassy.gov/groundbreaking.html |archive-date=22 September 2006 }} officially opening on 11 December 2006.{{Cite web |url=http://belize.usembassy.gov/ |title=U.S. Embassy in Belmopan, Belize - Home |website=belize.usembassy.gov |access-date=8 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070201210508/http://belize.usembassy.gov/ |archive-date=1 February 2007 |url-status=dead }} Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Venezuela also have embassies in Belmopan, while Ecuador, Chile, and the Dominican Republic are represented by consulates. However, with four embassies and 29 consulates the former capital of Belize City still has most of the country's foreign diplomatic community.{{cite web|url=http://www.embassypages.com |title=Embassies and Consulates around the World - EmbassyPages.com |website=embassypages.com |access-date=3 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115023737/http://www.embassypages.com/ |archive-date=15 January 2013 }}

The city layout centers around the Ring Road which is just under 4 km (2.5 miles) in circumference. The majority of government buildings are situated either within or around the Ring Road, and a large area within the Ring Road is also given to parkland.{{cite web |url=http://www.belmopancityonline.com/Portals/0/belmopan%20map.jpg |title=Belmopan map |website=Belmopan Belize |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918110105/http://www.belmopancityonline.com/Portals/0/belmopan%20map.jpg |archive-date=18 September 2011 |url-status=dead}}

The National Assembly Building is the focal point of the city's design, with the grey stone architecture and broad steps designed to resemble a Mayan temple, reflecting the nation's cultural heritage.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

The original buildings were designed with extensive ventilation to accommodate the tropical climate leading to a pock-marked effect on the buildings' walls.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

Belmopan is {{convert|50|mi|km|0}} inland from the Caribbean Sea and {{convert|76|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} above sea level, located near the Belize River Valley with a view of the Mountain Pine Ridge foothills. (The climate at night is cool.) The city is off the Hummingbird Highway. Two and a half hours south of Belmopan, by road, is the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.{{cite web |url=http://www.exoticbirding.com/belize/places/cockscomb.html |title= Description of birding in Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve, Belize |website=Exotic Birding tours |access-date=7 February 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403182911/http://www.exoticbirding.com/belize/places/cockscomb.html |archive-date=3 April 2007 }}

Belmopan features a tropical monsoon climate (Am) under the Köppen climate classification. The city has a lengthy wet season that runs from May through January and a short dry season covering the remaining three months. As is the characteristic of many cities with a tropical monsoon climate, Belmopan sees some rainfall during its dry season. March and April are Belmopan's driest months with roughly {{convert|45|mm|in|1|disp=or}} of rainfall observed on average during those months. As with Belize City, these are somewhat unusual months for a city with a tropical monsoon climate to have its driest months of the year. Typically the driest month for a city with this climate type is the month after the winter solstice, which in Belmopan would be January. Average monthly temperatures are somewhat constant throughout the course of the year, ranging from {{convert|23|to|28|°C|°F|1}}.

{{Weather box

|location = Belmopan (1991–2020)

|single line = Yes

|metric first = Yes

|Jan high C = 28.2

|Feb high C = 29.7

|Mar high C = 31.2

|Apr high C = 33.5

|May high C = 34.1

|Jun high C = 32.7

|Jul high C = 32.2

|Aug high C = 32.6

|Sep high C = 32.5

|Oct high C = 31.2

|Nov high C = 29.4

|Dec high C = 28.6

|year high C = 31.3

|Jan mean C = 23.7

|Feb mean C = 24.4

|Mar mean C = 25.5

|Apr mean C = 27.6

|May mean C = 28.6

|Jun mean C = 28.3

|Jul mean C = 27.7

|Aug mean C = 27.9

|Sep mean C = 27.9

|Oct mean C = 26.8

|Nov mean C = 25.1

|Dec mean C = 24.2

|year mean C = 26.5

|Jan low C = 19.1

|Feb low C = 19.2

|Mar low C = 19.8

|Apr low C = 21.7

|May low C = 23.1

|Jun low C = 23.8

|Jul low C = 23.3

|Aug low C = 23.2

|Sep low C = 23.2

|Oct low C = 22.5

|Nov low C = 20.7

|Dec low C = 19.8

|year low C = 21.6

|rain colour = green

|Jan rain mm = 135.2

|Feb rain mm = 51.3

|Mar rain mm = 48.5

|Apr rain mm = 41.4

|May rain mm = 119.3

|Jun rain mm = 259.9

|Jul rain mm = 245.3

|Aug rain mm = 226.1

|Sep rain mm = 221.8

|Oct rain mm = 244.2

|Nov rain mm = 201.9

|Dec rain mm = 134.9

|year rain mm =

|unit rain days = 1.0 mm

|Jan rain days = 11

|Feb rain days = 6

|Mar rain days = 5

|Apr rain days = 3

|May rain days = 7

|Jun rain days = 14

|Jul rain days = 16

|Aug rain days = 14

|Sep rain days = 15

|Oct rain days = 14

|Nov rain days = 13

|Dec rain days = 13

|Jan sun = 170.5

|Feb sun = 189.3

|Mar sun = 241.8

|Apr sun = 255.0

|May sun = 248.0

|Jun sun = 189.0

|Jul sun = 201.5

|Aug sun = 207.7

|Sep sun = 171.0

|Oct sun = 182.9

|Nov sun = 165.0

|Dec sun = 150.0

|year sun =

|Jand sun = 5.5

|Febd sun = 6.7

|Mard sun = 7.8

|Aprd sun = 8.5

|Mayd sun = 8.0

|Jund sun = 6.3

|Juld sun = 6.5

|Augd sun = 6.7

|Sepd sun = 5.7

|Octd sun = 5.9

|Novd sun = 5.5

|Decd sun = 5.0

|yeard sun = 6.5

|source 1 = National Meteorological Service of Belize (sun 1981–2010){{cite web

| url = http://nms.gov.bz/climate-services/climatology/

| title = Climatology Information for a few stations across Belize

| publisher = National Meteorological Service of Belize

| access-date = 6 January 2022

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220106220633/http://nms.gov.bz/climate-services/climatology/

| archive-date = 6 January 2022}}{{cite web

| url = http://nms.gov.bz/climate-services/climatology/past_data_1981-2010.php

| title = Climatology Information for a few stations across Belize

| publisher = National Meteorological Service of Belize

| access-date = 6 January 2022

| url-status = dead

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220106221452/http://nms.gov.bz/climate-services/climatology/past_data_1981-2010.php

| archive-date = 6 January 2022

| df = dmy-all

}}

|date=November 2011

}}

The city of Belmopan has three pre-schools, four primary schools and four secondary schools{{cite web|url=http://gradfinder.com/p/grad/browse.cgi?country=22&city=Belmopan|title=Belize> belmopan > Choose school |website=gradfinder |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304172521/http://gradfinder.com/p/grad/browse.cgi?country=22&city=Belmopan |archive-date= Mar 4, 2016 }} as well as a modern Regional Language Centre (RLC) on the central campus of the University of Belize,{{Cite web |title=Regional Language Centre |url=http://www.rlcbelize.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222042056/http://www.rlcbelize.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 |archive-date=Dec 22, 2007 |website=rlcbelize.org}} where students from neighbouring Spanish-speaking countries come to study English. University of Belize's campus in Belmopan has the following colleges: Education and Arts, Management and Social Sciences, Science and Technology, and Nursing and Allied Health.{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.ub.edu.bz/templeet.php/UB_root/Acad/belmopan.en.html |title=Belmopan Campus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311231846/http://www.ub.edu.bz/templeet.php/UB_root/Acad/belmopan.en.html |archive-date=11 March 2007 |website=University of Belize }} The church/state system prevails in Belizean education,{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://education.nmsu.edu/projects/istp/istpplacesites/belizemain.htm |title=Belize |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060905134334/http://education.nmsu.edu/projects/istp/istpplacesites/belizemain.htm |archive-date=5 September 2006 |website=New Mexico State University College of Education }} especially where pre-school, primary and secondary school education is concerned,{{cite periodical |url-status=dead |last1=Penados |first1=Filiberto |url=http://www.mathunion.org/ICMI/bulletin/49/Teacher.html |title=Teacher Education and Professional Development in Belize: Developments and Challenges |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070128105143/http://www.mathunion.org/ICMI/bulletin/49/Teacher.html |archive-date=28 January 2007 |periodical= ICMI Bulletin |issue= 49 |date=December 2000 |publisher=International Mathematical Union }} and nearly all schools in Belmopan are sustained by churches.

International schools:

• QSI International School of Belize{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.qsi.org/belize/bze/ |title=QSI International School of Belize |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930172812/http://www.qsi.org/belize/bze/ |archive-date=30 September 2015 |website=Quality Schools International |access-date=29 September 2015}}

Secondary schools:

• Belmopan Baptist High School
• Belmopan Comprehensive High School
• Methodist High School
• Our Lady of Guadalupe High School

Local missionaries and non-profit organizations also provide practical educational opportunities for Belizeans.

File:BELMONUMENT.JPG

The population of Belmopan proper (an estimated 20,000 people in 2009) is of various ethnicities, including Kriols, Garifuna, Mestizo, Maya, and recent immigrants from such Asian countries as the People's Republic of China (Mainland China) and Republic of China (Taiwan).{{Cite web |date=13 November 2005 |title=History of Belize |url=http://www.rlcbelize.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8&Itemid=10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222042046/http://www.rlcbelize.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8&Itemid=10 |archive-date=Dec 22, 2007 |website=Regional Language Centre}}

There are five zones around Belmopan proper:{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.belize-elections.org/profile_cayosouth.html |title=Cayo South Electoral Division |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070501032839/http://www.belize-elections.org/profile_cayosouth.html |archive-date=1 May 2007 |website=Belize Elections and Boundaries Department |date=October 27, 2003 }}

• Salvapan, with a population of 3,000, mostly of Central American origin;{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
• San Martin, with 1,694 people of mixed origins (Kriol and Central American Mayan);
• Las Flores, with 453 people of mostly Central American origin;
• Maya Mopan, with 241 people, mostly Ketchi/Mopan Maya; and
• Riviera, with an indeterminate population of Central American immigrants and local people.

Some of Belmopan's noteworthy events include presentations by the Belmopan Choral Society, the Festival of Arts for school children, and National Day activities.

The University of Belize's Black Jaguars squad has won two national championships playing out of Belmopan. Nearby communities including Roaring Creek, Camalote, Esperanza, and Georgeville play a softball tournament in the early part of the year.

The City Council promotes Belmopan as "The Garden City." A Crime prevention Initiative has recently been introduced by the council in conjunction with the Belize Police Department, which introduced a Special Constable/Community Policing Programme. The council cooperates with social organizations like the Lions Club, the Belize Scout Association, Rotary International, and other NGOs. Social and cultural events and meetings of community groups are frequently held at the George Price Centre.

Museums and galleries in the city include the planned Belmopan Museum. Similar institutions include the National Archives of Belize and the National Heritage Library.

File:Belmopan Parliament.jpg

At its inception and afterward, Belmopan was governed by the corporation RECONDEV (Reconstruction and Development Corporation), which answered to the government.

Residents of Belmopan voted in a referendum in 1999 to switch to direct election of a city council. In 2000, Belmopan was incorporated as a city and held its first City Council election. Anthony Chanona of the People's United Party was elected mayor with a six-man slate, and reelected in 2003.{{cite web |url=http://www.belize-elections.org/report_elections.html |title= Report on The Elections: Parliamentary, City and Town Council |first1=I. Myrtle |last1=Palacio |date= April 2003 |website=Belize Elections & Boundaries Dept. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112152622/http://www.belize-elections.org/report_elections.html |archive-date=12 January 2015}} Following the People's Party municipal victory of 2020, the mayor of Belmopan is [https://belmopancitycouncil.org/welcome/team/sharp/ Sharon Palacio].[http://www.elections.gov.bz/modules/article_publish/?tac=RESULTS_4th_MARCH_2015" MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS OFFICIAL RESULTS 4th MARCH 2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913001908/http://www.elections.gov.bz/modules/article_publish/?tac=RESULTS_4th_MARCH_2015 |date=13 September 2015 }}, Belize Elections and Boundaries Commission. (accessed 16 March 2015)

As Belmopan is the seat of government, many of its inhabitants work for the national government in administrative or technical roles. Many are based in the large cluster of government buildings around the National Assembly building.

File:Pride Of China Belmopan.jpg

Belmopan has approximately 589 business establishments (the 1997 census revealed the presence of 373). Five international banks are in the city, as are several local financial institutions. A bus terminal and market complex were constructed in 2003.

Within the zoning regulations, Belmopan has set aside approximately {{convert|200|acre|ha}} of land made up mostly of one-acre (4,000 m²) parcels in city limits. While there is very little industrial activity at present, the council has embarked on a scheme to attract local and foreign investment to the city. Plans are underway to create a {{convert|100|acre|ha}} industrial park close to the municipal airstrip, a paved 1,100-metre strip with no control tower or hangars.

Belmopan will have a light rail system that is currently undergoing a feasibility study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.{{cite web|url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12009163_01.pdf|title=Preparatory Survey Report|website=jica.go.jp|access-date=21 April 2020|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023104758/https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12009163_01.pdf|url-status=live}}

Belmopan is served by Hector Silva Airstrip, a domestic airport located in the northwest of the city. Currently (April 2024), there are, however, no scheduled services to Belmopan anymore. The closest city served by scheduled flights is Belize City, 79km away, harbouring both Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, the country's only international airport, and the domestic Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport.

• Belmopan Public Library

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite news |last1=Romero |first1=Simon |last2=Cegarra |first2=Alejandro |date=2024-02-28 |title=A Boring Capital for a Young Democracy. Just the Way Residents Like It. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/28/world/americas/belize-belmopan-capital.html |access-date=2024-08-12 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |url-access=subscription}}

{{Commons category|Belmopan}}

{{Wikivoyage}}

• [http://www.belmopancityonline.com/belmopan-city-map.aspx Map of Belmopan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204193102/http://www.belmopancityonline.com/belmopan-city-map.aspx |date=4 December 2013 }}
• [http://www.belmopanonline.com Online Portal of Belmopan]
• [http://www.belmopancitycouncil.org/ Belmopan City Council Official Website]

{{Belmopan}}

{{Belize topics}}

{{List of North American capitals}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1970 establishments in British Honduras

Category:Belize River

Category:Capitals in Central America

Category:Capitals in North America

Category:Planned capitals

Category:Populated places established in 1970

Category:Populated places in Cayo District

Category:Belmopan (Belize House constituency)