

Introduction to Belizean Studies
Big Question: What is Belize?
Unit Title: The Geography of Belize
1.1 Describe the location of Belize relative to other places in the region and the wider world.
Geographers can describe the location of a place in one of two ways: absolute location or relative location. Discuss the video with a partner and use any graphic organizer to compare absolute and relative locations.

Relative location simply means describing the position of one place compared to another. This can be done as follows:
Using Descriptive Words
Belize is a long way from China.
Canada is next to the U.S.A.
Using Distances in Miles or Kilometres
Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is 9200 km from London, England.
Using Directions
Panama City is to the south-east of Belize.
Using Altitude
Guatemala City is higher than Belize City.
Absolute location describes a precise point on Earth.
The most common way is to identify the location using coordinates such as latitude and longitude.
1.2 Identify the approximate latitude and longitude of Belize and the exact coordinates of specified places within it.
1.3 Compare the main inland, coastal and marine features of Belize.
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1.4 Compare the districts, main cities, towns and selected villages of Belize.
- total area in square miles or square kilometres
- population
- main natural features such as rivers and hills
- transportation links including roads, airstrips, ferry and bus services
- main streets
- notable buildings
- main economic activities
Useful Links:
Population of Belize
sib.org.bz/statistics/population/
Natural and Protected Areas of Belize
www.pactbelize.org/protected-areas/
Notable Buildings and Archaeological Sites
www.belizenet.com/must-see/cultural-and-historical-sites
https://nichbelize.org/museum-of-belize-and-houses-of-culture/
tbsl.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour/index.html?appid=08ce51ecfbe743148c0e112ea7723e71&webmap=33ee834bc51f4bb99b1b6cfcf9f1c644