Page 208 - Central America

he southern part of Belize, with its watersheds sloping from the

TMaya Mountains to the southeast , consists of short rivers that rush

through foothills combed with overhanging ledges and caves. The rivers,
carrying sand, clay and silt, have enriched the coastal belt over the years,
allowing Belize to develop significant agricultural products such as citrus
and bananas. The watersheds have also built some of the finest beaches
in Belize at the coastal villages of Hopkins and Placencia. Along with an
annual rainfall of some 170 inches in the extreme south, southern Belize
has a true tropical rain forest that is rich with ferns, palms, lianas, and
tropical hardwoods.

T he climate is subtropical, with brisk prevailing tradewinds
from the Caribbean Sea. The country has an annual mean
temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity, while
high, is nicely tempered by the sea breezes. Variation in weather
features, emphasizes the interesting difference in elevation, ge-
ology, plant and animal life. A summer high temperature, usually
never exceeds 96 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter lows are sel-
dom below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night. Saltwater tem-
perature varies between 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 84 degrees
Fahrenheit.

A nnual rainfall ranges from 50 inches in the North to 170
inches in the South. Although the rainy season is usually be-
tween June and August and the dry season is between February
and May, global weather changes are making historical predic-