This impressive corals reef is located in the Atlantic Caribbean coast of Belize
approximately 300 meters from the coast at the north of the country and around 40
Kilometers from the coast at the south of Belize. The Belize Barrier Reef is part
of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System; the Belize’s Barrier covers 260 Kilometers
of the Mesoamerican Barrier. Because of its amazing beauty and diverse ecosystem
the Belize Barrier Reef is considered by CEDAM, one of the Underwater Wonders of
the World.
The Belize Barrier Reef is the largest barrier reef of the western hemisphere and
the second of the world. It is composed by beautiful corals formations, myriad fish
and invertebrates. Most species of reef-building corals live in the clear waters
of the Belize’s sea. The Barrier Reef is composed by an amazing set of lagoon patch
reefs, offshore atolls and fringing reefs.
The Belize Barrier Reef can be divided in three major provinces, each has a distinctive
geomorphic features and a unique reef community composition: the northern province
contains 46 Kilometers of shallow-water reefs, the central province has 92 Kilometers
of shallow-waters reefs and the southern province has 10 Kilometers of shallow-waters
reefs.
One of the landmarks of the Belize Reef Barrier is the place
known as the Lighthouse
Reef, where a famous and large crater named Blue Hole (305 meters diameter and 122
meters deep) is filled by crystal-clear waters. Another important point of the reserve
is Glover’s Reef, which is located at south; here it is the Emerald Forest a nice
place that owes its name to the elk horn coral trees of big diameter and canopies
of 3 meters height that grow here.
This wonderful underwater paradise is the home of porpoises, turtles, sharks, manatees,
sharks, butterfly fish and many other marine organisms. The Belize Barrier hosts
also the largest population of West Indian manatee of the planet, endangered specie
like the American crocodile, other specie that also lives here. Besides, the delicate
ecosystem of this reef is composed also by cays, grass flats and mangrove swamps.
It is one of the most diverse ecosystems of the world housing over 70 hard coral
species, 36 soft coral species, 500 species of fish and 350 mollusks, plus a great
variety of crustaceans, sponges and marine worms. Nevertheless, most scientists
believe that only 10% of the species that live in this ecosystem have been discovered.
In
addition to the underwater life that sustains this ecosystem. The Belize Barrier
reef is also the home of large colonies of sea bird such as red-footed, brown booby
Sula, brown pelican, and frigate birds amongst other. This fascinating site is a
paradise for the nature lovers, especially for the divers, who can find in the Belize
Barrier Reef a new and wonderful universe that is beyond what anyone can imagine.
History
There evidence of human fishing in the Belize Barrier Reef since 2500 years ago;
The Mayan used this reef for fishing between 300 BC and 900 Ad. Since that age,
the Barrier Reef had an important role in the economy of the region, role that still
meets to this day. The zone of Bacalar Chico had a great importance to the Maya
people as a ceremonial center. There are also vestiges of the Maya civilization
in South Water Caye, Sapodilla Cayes and Glovers Reef areas. During the early Spanish
colonial time the zone was abandoned by men, only some Spanish explorers used the
region to repair boats or collect water. In the XVII century the region was used
as refuge to pirates.
Belize Barrier Reef
Charles Darwin the famous creator of the Evolution theory was one of the first scientists
that studied the Belize Barrier Reef. In 1842, he referred to this marvelous ecosystem
in his work about the origin and evolution of coral reefs. Since then, the Belize
Barrier Reef became the most famous coral reef of the Western hemisphere. In the
XIX century began the waves of human immigration to the Barrier Reef area, mainly
from Mexico, which continues until today because of the beauty and rich of the reef
and the economic opportunities that represent.
In the lasts year the Belize Barrier Reef attracts around 150 000 tourists per year
generating around 80 million dollars. The Reef is the main attraction of the country
and one of the greatest sources of incomes. Therefore, there is a big tourist infrastructure
installed along the Barrier Reef. This place has been also subject of scientific
research; mainly since the 1960s, several research organizations like the Smithsonian
Institute or the New York Natural History Society have established research centers
in the zone.
Unfortunately today, the Belize Barrier Reef like many other important underwater
paradises of the planet, is overused by man seriously endangering its existence,
therefore most part of the Reef Barrier is protected by the Belize Barrier Reef
Reserve System, which is composed by 7 marine reserves, 450 cays and 3 atolls, which
in total occupied an area of 960 square kilometers (370 square miles). The Reserve
System was declared in 1996 World Heritage by UNESCO. Nevertheless, despite all
conservation efforts, almost 40% of the Reserve has been damaged since 1998; because
of the oceanic contamination, the excessive tourism, agrochemical run-off, the uncontrolled
fishing and the global warming. It is our task halt the destruction of this wonderful
natural treasure and to preserve it for future generations.