Belize City, essa desconhecida

Belize City limits reach out to Mile 8 on the Western Highway and Mile 14 on the Northern Highway, at the Haulover Bridge that spans the mouth of the old Belize River where it disgorges into the Caribbean Sea. The City proper is split into two areas: Northside Belize City, bounded by the Haulover Creek and ending in the east at the Fort George area, and Belize City Southside, extending to the outskirts of the City. Three bridges starting from the westernmost BelCan (Belize-Canadian), BelChina (Belize-China) and the original Belize City Swing bridge (the only functioning manually operated bridge in the world) join both sides of Belize City. Belize City's coordinates are 17°15' North longitude and 88°45' West latitude.
Belize City is the largest population center in Belize with well over eighty thousand inhabitants sprawling over the delta formed by the Belize Haulover Creek which branches off the Belize River. Belize City itself is no longer the nation's capital, but remains the commercial capital and home to the largest sea port and airport in the country and location of the Belize Tourism Village where cruise ships dock. Belize City offers the visitor an eclectic combination of rustic, old-fashioned Caribbean charm and bustling modernity.
The steady rise of cruise tourism has changed the face of downtown Belize City in recent years. Belize's most popular tourist resort town, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, is located in the Belize District as is the famous Mayan ruin of Altun Ha, the Belize Zoo and well-known wildlife sanctuaries. The Phillip Goldson International Airport is located ten miles from downtown in the neighbouring village of Ladyville and several international airlines provide daily flights. The country's largest municipal airport and water taxi connections to all major cayes are located in downtown Belize City . Bus transportation is available hourly and half hourly during peak times to all districts.
Belize City itself originated as a logging camp and export center for mahogany in the 1600's. Naturally, because it is the country's largest urban area, one finds all cultural types and mixtures in the city - Creole, Garifuna, Latino, Chinese, Lebanese, Hindu and the original East Indian descendants and Maya. One traveler had this to say as a first impression:
"Belize is an amazing place. You cross the border into the first town Corozal and you see Creoles, Chinese, Latinos and Caucasians all speaking at least two languages, one usually Creole. I could pick up phrases and words here and there but it is far enough from standard English to be an entirely distinct language. Verb conjugations are non-existent, everything is abbreviated and accented very heavily and vernacular expressions are standard. They even use words that we would consider diminutive in every day speech, like addressing each other as "boy". And when they want to be polite and they want something from you, you are called "boss". "Baad" means good, and "haaht" means "hard". They abbreviate "And then I said." to "An nen I seh".

Belize City Attractions
The Belize Haulover Creek, also called the Belize River by locals meanders through the middle of the city; and twice a day, the city's Swing Bridge opens for about 20 minutes to allow sail boats to pass. There are many traditional street vendors selling fruits, vegetables, arts and crafts in the city's public squares. This is the center of the Belize cruise tourism industry that has changed the face of the downtown Fort George area on the north side of the river, and more recently the south side particularly on weekdays when at times up to three or four ships dock.
The oldest Anglican Church in Central America - St. John's Cathedral built in 1812 - is in Belize.
The downtown Belize City area, already distinctive for its colonial architecture, now is also the bustling center for dozens of tour guides, craft persons and other vendors who have set up in the area around a picturesque tourism village which sits on the site of the former Customs Wharf area. This area has high security and is well-maintained with good food, trained souvenir vendors, duty free shops and the like. Tour operators whisk away interested tourists to day trips at surrounding sanctuaries and Mayan ruin sites and snorkeling sites. Day trips to the Belize Zoo, Mayan Ruins at Altun Ha and Xunantunich, as well as Cave Tubing and Zip Line adventure are within easy access of Belize City