Benque Viejo del Carmen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benque Viejo
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| Benque Viejo del Carmen | |
Benque Viejo del Carmen from north
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| Nickname(s):
Benque
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 Benque Viejo
Location in Belize
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| Country |  Belize |
| District | Cayo District |
| Constituency | Cayo West |
| Elevation | 129 m (423 ft) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 6,140 |
| • Estimate
(2016)
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6,684 |
| Demonym(s) | Benqueño(a) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central) |
| Climate | Aw |
| Website | Official website: http://www.benqueviejotown.com |
Benque Viejo del Carmen, often called "Benque," is a lively town in Belize. It is the westernmost town in the country. Benque is about 130 kilometers (80 miles) west and south of Belize City. It sits right on the border with Guatemala.
The town of San Ignacio is just 13 kilometers (8 miles) to the east. Right across the border is the town of Melchor de Mencos in Guatemala. The Mopan River flows along the northern and western edges of Benque.
Benque's Early History
Benque was first settled by Maya people. They came from a place called Flores in Guatemala. The town grew because of the lumber industry. Trees were cut down and floated on the Mopan River. This river flows into the Belize River, which goes all the way to the coast.
Many early settlers were Catholic. The first records of baptisms in the Cayo District are from Benque. These records date back to May 1865. Priests from Spain and other countries helped the community grow.
In the early 1900s, more Catholic leaders came to Benque. In 1913, the Pallottine sisters arrived from Germany. They helped the community, especially with education. A very important person, Mother (Saint) Katharine Drexel, even helped fund their convent.
In 1937, a fire destroyed the local church. But the community worked together to build a new one. This new church was named Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. In 1950, a new football field was created. It was named after Corporal Marshalleck, who worked hard to make it happen.
A new Catholic primary school was built in 1963. The next year, local priests took over the church duties. This was a big step for the community. Later, a group called SOLT (Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity) also became active in Benque. They helped start a printing company to make better school textbooks for Belize.
People and Culture
Benque Viejo del Carmen has a diverse population. In 2010, about 6,148 people lived there. Most residents are of Maya or Mestizo descent. A Mestizo person has mixed European and Indigenous ancestry.
The town has grown quickly in recent years. In 2010, there were about 1,415 households. The average household had about four people.
Many languages are spoken in Benque. Most people speak Spanish and English. Some also speak Creole, Mandarin, Cantonese, or Garifuna. A smaller number speak Maya languages like Yucatec Maya, Ketchi Maya, or Mopan Maya.
Benque is a place where many people cross the border. Tourists and merchants often go to Melchor to buy Maya textiles. Also, many young people from Guatemala cross the border every day. They come to Benque to attend secondary school and learn English.
The town offers many services for its residents. These include primary and secondary schools. There are also supermarkets for shopping. Benque holds an annual fiesta, which is a big celebration. The town is also home to a Belize Premier Football League team. They play their games at Marshalleck Stadium.
Close to Benque, you can find the amazing ancient Maya ruins of Xunantunich. This is a popular spot for visitors. The town has also been featured in films. For example, the movie 7 Days in Carmel showed Benque's Holy Week processions.
As of May 2015, the mayor of Benque is Heraldo "Rancha" Ramcharan Jr. He belongs to the United Democratic Party. This party also leads the town council.
See also
In Spanish: Benque Viejo del Carmen para niños
