What is Belizean Studies?

1.1 Identify the big questions facing Belize today.

For each of the areas in the graphic on the left, think of a BIG QUESTION that Belize needs to answer.

Compare your questions to the Big Questions posed by the Belizean Studies Curriculum.

1.2 Identify sources of information that can be used to study past and present human activities

TEACHERS: For data requests or to schedule a classroom presentation from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) please contact SIB’s Data Dissemination Department at email info@mail.sib.org.bz or telephone 822-2207 Ext. 209.

1.3. Explain how evidence can be used to evaluate how true a statement is.

1.4 Describe the topography of Belize.

Topography means the features of the land surface - more or less the shape of the land. Geographers also study the way the surface of the land has changed in the past and is still changing.

Features of the land's surface include both landforms and water bodies.

Landforms include mountains, hills, valleys, and plains. Water bodies include rivers, streams, lakes, lagoons and waterfalls.

Key Concepts in Topography

Elevation or Altitude - the height of the land above sea level.
Slope - how quickly the elevation of the land changes, that is how steep the land is.
Contour - an imaginary line connecting points of the same elevation. Maps use contour lines to show how the land rises or falls.
Relief - a description of how much the elevation of the land changes - what the mountains, hills and valleys are like.

1.5. Describe the present day demography of Belize.

Demography is the study of human populations. This can include the following:

How many people live in an area?
How many males and females there are?
How many people there are of a given age or age group?
How many people are born, get married or die each year?
How long people can expect to live?
Are people moving into or out of an area?