Belmopan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Belmopan
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| City of Belmopan | ||
     Top: Belize National Assembly; Middle: Traditional houses in Belmopan, Independence Plaza; Holy Redeemer Cathedral, Belmopan market
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| Nicknames:
The Garden City, 'Pan
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| Motto(s):
City of Promise
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 Belmopan
Location in Belize
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| Country | Belize | |
| District | Cayo | |
| Constituency | Belmopan | |
| Foundation | 1 August 1970 | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 32.78 km2 (12.66 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 76 m (250 ft) | |
| Population | ||
| • Total | 13,381 | |
| • Density | 408/km2 (1,056/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central) | |
| Area code(s) | 501 +8 | |
| Climate | Am | |
Belmopan is the capital city of Belize. It is a planned city, meaning it was designed and built from scratch. Belmopan is one of the newest capital cities in the world.
In 2010, about 16,451 people lived there. This makes Belmopan the smallest capital city in the Americas by population. It is also the third-largest city in Belize, after Belize City and San Ignacio. Belmopan became an official city in 2000.
The city is located in the Cayo District. It sits about 76 meters (250 feet) above sea level. Belmopan was built inland, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the coast. This was done after a big storm, Hurricane Hattie, badly damaged the old capital, Belize City, in 1961. The government moved to Belmopan in 1970. The National Assembly Building looks like an ancient Maya temple.
Contents
History of Belmopan
Why a New Capital Was Needed
In 1961, Hurricane Hattie hit Belize City very hard. About 75% of the homes and businesses were destroyed. Belize City is low-lying and near the coast. So, the government decided to build a new capital city. This new city would be on higher ground. It would also be safer from future storms.
In 1962, a special group chose the spot for the new capital. This place is now called Belmopan. It is about 82 kilometers (51 miles) southwest of Belize City.
Building the Capital
Belize was a British colony called British Honduras back then. In 1964, Premier George Cadle Price went to London. He asked for money to build the new capital. The British government was interested because the new city would be safe from storm surges.
To encourage the British to help, Premier Price invited Anthony Greenwood. He was a British government official. On October 9, 1965, Lord Greenwood dedicated the site for the new capital. A monument was put up to remember this day.
Naming the City
The name Belmopan comes from two rivers. "Bel" is from the Belize River, the country's longest river. "Mopan" is from the Mopan River, which flows into the Belize River.
The first plan for the city cost about 40 million Belize dollars. Only 20 million Belize dollars were available at first. But the project still went ahead.
Work on Belmopan started in 1967. The first part of the city was finished in 1970. It cost 24 million Belize dollars. From 1970 to 2000, a group called "Recondev" managed Belmopan. They made sure the city had all the services it needed.
Embassies in Belmopan
At first, many foreign governments were unsure about moving their embassies to Belmopan. They wondered if it would truly become the main capital.
The British High Commission opened in Belmopan in 1981. This was when Belize became independent. The United States government started building its embassy in Belmopan in 2005. It officially opened in 2006.
Today, Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Venezuela also have embassies in Belmopan. Other countries have consulates there. However, Belize City still has most of the foreign embassies and consulates.
City Design
Layout of Belmopan
Belmopan's design is centered around the Ring Road. This road is almost 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long. Most government buildings are located on or near this road. A large area inside the Ring Road is also used for parks.
National Assembly Building
The National Assembly Building is a key part of the city's design. It is made of grey stone. Its wide steps are designed to look like an ancient Mayan temple. This design shows off Belize's rich cultural history.
The first buildings in Belmopan were made with lots of vents. This helped them stay cool in the tropical weather.
Geography and Climate
Location of Belmopan
Belmopan is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) inland from the Caribbean Sea. It is 76 meters (250 feet) above sea level. The city is near the Belize River Valley. It also has views of the Mountain Pine Ridge foothills. The nights in Belmopan are usually cool. The city is located off the Hummingbird Highway.
Belmopan's Climate
Belmopan has a tropical monsoon climate. This means it has a long rainy season and a short dry season. The rainy season lasts from May to January. The dry season covers February, March, and April.
Even during the dry season, Belmopan gets some rain. March and April are the driest months. They usually get about 45 millimeters (1.8 inches) of rain. Temperatures stay fairly steady all year. They range from about 23 to 28 degrees Celsius (73 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit).
| Climate data for Belmopan (1991–2020) | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 28.2 (82.8) |
29.7 (85.5) |
31.2 (88.2) |
33.5 (92.3) |
34.1 (93.4) |
32.7 (90.9) |
32.2 (90.0) |
32.6 (90.7) |
32.5 (90.5) |
31.2 (88.2) |
29.4 (84.9) |
28.6 (83.5) |
31.3 (88.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 23.7 (74.7) |
24.4 (75.9) |
25.5 (77.9) |
27.6 (81.7) |
28.6 (83.5) |
28.3 (82.9) |
27.7 (81.9) |
27.9 (82.2) |
27.9 (82.2) |
26.8 (80.2) |
25.1 (77.2) |
24.2 (75.6) |
26.5 (79.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 19.1 (66.4) |
19.2 (66.6) |
19.8 (67.6) |
21.7 (71.1) |
23.1 (73.6) |
23.8 (74.8) |
23.3 (73.9) |
23.2 (73.8) |
23.2 (73.8) |
22.5 (72.5) |
20.7 (69.3) |
19.8 (67.6) |
21.6 (70.9) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 135.2 (5.32) |
51.3 (2.02) |
48.5 (1.91) |
41.4 (1.63) |
119.3 (4.70) |
259.9 (10.23) |
245.3 (9.66) |
226.1 (8.90) |
221.8 (8.73) |
244.2 (9.61) |
201.9 (7.95) |
134.9 (5.31) |
1,929.8 (75.97) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 11 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 131 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 170.5 | 189.3 | 241.8 | 255.0 | 248.0 | 189.0 | 201.5 | 207.7 | 171.0 | 182.9 | 165.0 | 150.0 | 2,371.7 |
| Mean daily sunshine hours | 5.5 | 6.7 | 7.8 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 5.7 | 5.9 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 6.5 |
| Source: National Meteorological Service of Belize (sun 1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
Education in Belmopan
Belmopan has several schools for different age groups. There are three pre-schools and four primary schools. The city also has four secondary schools.
The University of Belize has a campus in Belmopan. It includes colleges for Education and Arts, Management and Social Sciences, Science and Technology, and Nursing and Allied Health. The university also has a Regional Language Centre. Here, students from Spanish-speaking countries come to learn English.
Most schools in Belize are supported by churches. This is part of the church/state education system. Local groups and non-profit organizations also offer learning chances for people in Belize.
International Schools
- Belize Christian Academy
- QSI International School of Belize
Secondary Schools
- Belmopan Baptist High School
- Belmopan Comprehensive High School
- Methodist High School
- Our Lady of Guadalupe High School
People and Culture
Who Lives in Belmopan?
Belmopan is home to many different groups of people. These include Kriols, Garifuna, Mestizo, and Maya. There are also new immigrants from countries like China and Taiwan.
The city has five main areas around it:
- Salvapan: Mostly people from Central America.
- San Martin: A mix of Kriol and Central American Maya people.
- Las Flores: Mostly people from Central America.
- Maya Mopan: Mostly Ketchi/Mopan Maya people.
- Riviera: A mix of Central American immigrants and local people.
Events and Activities
Belmopan hosts several fun events. These include performances by the Belmopan Choral Society. There is also a Festival of Arts for school children. National Day activities are also very popular.
The University of Belize's Black Jaguars team has won national championships in sports. Nearby towns also play in a softball tournament each year.
Community Life
The City Council calls Belmopan "The Garden City." They work to keep the city safe. They have a program with the Belize Police Department to help prevent crime. The council also works with groups like the Lions Club and Rotary International. Many community events are held at the George Price Centre.
Museums and Libraries
Belmopan is planning to open the Belmopan Museum. Other important places include the National Archives of Belize and the National Heritage Library. These places help preserve Belize's history and culture.
Economy of Belmopan
Businesses
Belmopan has many businesses. There are about 589 business places in the city. Five international banks are located here. There are also several local financial groups. A new bus station and market were built in 2003.
Industry
Belmopan has set aside about 200 acres (81 hectares) of land for industrial use. Most of these are one-acre plots. Right now, there isn't much industrial activity. However, the city council wants to attract more businesses. They plan to create a 100-acre (40-hectare) industrial park. This park will be near the city's small airport.
Transportation
Air Travel
Belmopan has a small airport called Hector Silva Airstrip. This airport is for flights within Belize. However, as of April 2024, there are no regular flights to Belmopan. The closest city with scheduled flights is Belize City. Belize City has the country's only international airport, Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport. It also has a domestic airport, Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport.
Images for kids
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Belmopan Regional Language Center Monument
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Largest Chinese restaurant in Belmopan
