1. BELIZE

2. BELIZE Belize is at the southern end of the Yucatanpeninsula, facing the Caribbean Sea. 3. The Mayancivilizationspread into thearea of Belizebetween 1500B.C. and A.D.300European contactbegan in 1502when Columbussailed along thecoast 4. Both Spain andBritain lay claimto the land untilBritain defeatedthe Spanish inthe battle of St.Georges Cay(1798) 5. Belize becameindependent onsept. 21, 1981 6. SYMBOLS(THE FLAG) 7. THE COAT OF ARMS 8. THE NATIONAL FLOWERTHE BLACK ORCHIDTHE NATIONAL TREETHE MAHOGANY TREE 9. THE NATIONAL BIRD TOUCANTHE NATIONAL ANIMALTAIPIR OR MOUNTAIN COW 10. CULTURAL ASPECTS 11. FOODFood in daily life: Imported bleached wheat flour, corn, beans, rice, and poultry are the daily staples. 12. CUSTOMS AT CEREMONIAL OCCASIONSGarifunaAndyPalacio 13. johncanoedance 14. 58% ofinhabitantsare RomanCatholicProtestantsconstitute29% 15. LANGUAGESEnglish -Hello-Spanish -Hola-Garufunao or Maya -Xic-(shic) 16. The bestdevelopedgraphicarts arepaintingandsculpture 17. PenCayetano 18. BaronSaintBliss Day Geoorgescaye Day Pan AmericanDayIndependence Day