Baird's Tapir
The national animal of Belize, this stocky, pig-nosed mammal is the largest land animal in Central America and uses its flexible snout to grab leaves and fruit in the rainforest.
Flag of Belize
Field Report
Belize is a small country tucked along the eastern coast of Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west, and the warm Caribbean Sea to the east. It is home to ancient Maya cities hidden in thick jungle, a stunning underwater reef, and people from dozens of different cultures and backgrounds. Though it is one of the smallest countries in the Americas, Belize is a place where God is at work — and where many still wait to hear the name of Jesus.
From the Field Notebook
Baird's Tapir
The national animal of Belize, this stocky, pig-nosed mammal is the largest land animal in Central America and uses its flexible snout to grab leaves and fruit in the rainforest.
Keel-billed Toucan
Belize's national bird has a rainbow-colored bill that can be nearly as long as its body, which it uses to pluck fruit from branches while perched in the forest canopy.
Morelet's Crocodile
This smaller crocodile species lives in the freshwater rivers and lagoons of Belize, and was once nearly hunted to extinction before its numbers began to recover.
Rice and Beans
The everyday staple of Belizean life, cooked together with coconut milk and often served with stewed chicken or fish, eaten at almost every meal across the country.
Fry Jacks
These puffy, deep-fried dough pockets are a beloved Belizean breakfast, eaten plain or stuffed with eggs, beans, or cheese.
Hudut
A traditional Garifuna dish made from fish cooked in a rich coconut broth and served with mashed green and ripe plantains pounded together into a thick, hearty dumpling.
Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official language, a result of its history as British Honduras before independence in 1981.
The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest coral reef system in the world, stretching nearly 190 miles along the coast.
Belize has more ancient Maya ruins than any other country of its size — some still buried under jungle that has grown over them for centuries.
The entire country of Belize has fewer people living in it than the city of Louisville, Kentucky, making it one of the least densely populated countries in the Western Hemisphere.
The Great Blue Hole off the coast of Belize is a perfectly circular underwater sinkhole about 1,000 feet wide and 400 feet deep, formed during the last Ice Age when sea levels were much lower.
Daily Life
74
Years life expectancy
88%
Can read and write
96%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
Belize is home to 13 distinct people groups — 2 of them haven’t yet heard about Jesus.
Most Belize's people follow Christianity (86.4%). Evangelical Christians make up about 24.2% of the population.
What People Believe
Unreached People Groups
These are communities of people who haven’t had the chance to hear about Jesus yet. They need missionaries — and they need kids like you to pray for them.
Sindhi
6,800 people
Deaf
1,200 people
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.