About Belize

Belize is an English-speaking tropical country with a democratic government and a culturally eclectic population of less than 250.000. Bordered by Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula in the north, Guatemala to the west, Honduras in the south and the warm Caribbean waters to the east.

Home to 4,000 species of native flowering plants, 250 species of orchids, 700 species of native trees and 550 species of birds, Belize is the last refuge for the jaguar and has , as a country , adopted a conservation ethic. National parks and conservations areas now account for nearly one-third of the country and the spectacular Mayan ruins found throughout are largely intact. (Franz O. Meyer, Diving & Snorkeling Belize 1998)

Although most of Belize's 8,970 sq miles (23,000 sq km) is tropical lowland, the Maya Mountains in the western part of the country where lush, wet forests thrive, rise to almost 3,300 ft (1,000 meters). Belize City on the Caribbean coast is the population center and was the country's capital city until a hurricane in 1961 all but destroyed it, forcing the government to build a new centrally located capital in Belmopan. Although no longer the capital, Belize City is where you'll find world-class hotels, shopping and transportation to other parts of Belize, including the offshore cayes. Half of the visitors to Belize follow the limestone shelf that stretches under only five meters of crystalline water to the offshore islands, where most of the diving takes place.

Cayo is the largest of the six districts that make up Belize ....

Geographically the largest and most fertile district in Belize, Cayo spans more than 2,000 square miles across diverse terrain - from rolling hills and sweeping farmland devoted to citrus orchards and cattle farming, to lush river valleys and rugged mountain ridges covered in sub-tropical jungle.

Tourism ....

With an estimated population of about 40,000 people ,
one of Cayo Districts most important industries is ecotourism. Besides the country's most extensive number of Mayan Ruins and a growing number of comfortable accommodations, Cayo offers visitors the unique opportunity to encounter its physically diverse flora and fauna, with such natural wonders as cascading waterfalls and limestone caves in an intact and relatively undisturbed environment. In fact over 60% of Cayo District has been set aside as either a Wildlife Sanctuary, National Park, or Forest Reserve.

To experience Cayo you can Hike, Canoe, travel by Horseback, or tour in the comfort of an air-conditioned van. Whatever your preference, prepare yourself for the ultimate in an "up close and personal" experience.

The Land ....

Much of Cayo consists of broadleaf jungle overlying limestone formations. These formations are a result of an uplifting of ancient coral beds during the past 20 million years. Over time, flowing water has gradually dissolved the limestone, forming underwater rivers, sinkholes, and the Spectacular Caves for which Cayo is famous.

Above 2500 feet, granite rock formed from molten intrusions create a landscape of great pine forests, canyons and valley, waterfalls, and vistas of stunning beauty. 

The Mountain Pine Ridge was formed in this way. 

Agriculture in Cayo is concentrated in the Belize River valley, where the soil is kept fertile with flood waters from the highlands. Most settlements in Cayo District were founded in these areas, because their rich soils produced plentiful harvests and their waterways provided a means of traveling and transporting goods.

Today, it is not an uncommon site to see villagers along the river banks swimming, bathing and doing the family laundry.

Cayo, a region once rich with logging and chicle farming, today boasts citrus groves and cattle ranches. Cayo farmers also raise poultry, corn, sorghum, beans, fruits, and various vegetables for both domestic consumption and export.

Significant amounts of pine, rosewood, Santa Maria, cedar and mahogany are still harvested by local timber interests.

Climate & Weather ....

See Cayo Weather for typical seasonal weather patterns, annual rainfall and current conditions.

Ontario Village has two main claims to fame besides it’s unchallenged beauty on the Belize River. They are Charity and archaeology.

CHARITY - In 1958, Rev.’s Thurman & Reba  Millhollon founded Belize Faith Missions, which eventually established79 churches, an elementary school, and the country's first senior care home, which later grew to become the first children's home in Belize, in what was nothing more than a wide spot in the road at the time. Many of the children grew up and built houses around the home and when Belize gained it’s Independence in 1981 - the village needed a name. The villagers wanted to call it Milhollon but they were having no part of that being meek and not wanting any self aggrandizement. Many of families had attended missionary training at the Milhollen’s missions headquarters in Ontario, California so “Ontario Village” was settled upon. Today the Children's Home averages 50 boys and girls of all ages. The Home is recognized and documented by the government of Belize as the only privately operated home of its kind.

ARCHAEOLOGY - Each year - Texas State University, San Marcos - conducts an Archaeological Field School in the Ontario Village- Blackman Eddy area of Belize. These courses are part of the accredited course of study in Archaeology in many USA Colleges and Universities and an important part of the ongoing research of what is referred to as the BVAR (Belize Valley Archaeological) Project. Over half a century ago, the late Gordon Willey began his research in the Belize Valley, and ten years later he published a synthesis of his data that is recognized today as a classic study of ancient Maya settlement patterns. Anthropologists have long sought to understand the political organization of complex societies. Investigations into the inter-site hierarchy of the Late and Terminal Classic in the Belize Valley have revealed evidence of political success fueled by economic prosperity. Recent investigations at the site of Blackman Eddy, Belize revealed a series of structures and associated features which date to the end of the Early Formative and continue into the Middle Formative. This early occupation dates to the Kanocha phase (1200 B.C.-850 B.C.).  James F. Garber is professor of anthropology and field school director at Southwest Texas State University. He is the author of Archaeology at Cerros Belize, Central America, volume 2, The Artifacts. The 750 acres of Iguana Creek Resort have numerous Archeological and Lithic sites associated with Blackman Eddy and BVAR.