Belize is made up of five main nationalities. They are as follows: Mayans, British, Creole, Spanish, Garifuna and Mennonites.

Although you will come to learn that there are also Chinese, East Indian, Lebanese, Australian, Canadian and North American heritages here, most Belizeans come from either one or a mixture of the main nationalities listed above.

As you look through the photos below, please keep in mind, that each photo is only one variation of each culture and race. Each has a variation of skin tone, hair type and features. 

Mayans have lived here in Belize since 1200 B.C. The many ruins located throughout Belize are proof of what incredibly intelligent people the Mayans were. The classic period of Mayan civilization, which was when the great cities were built, lasted from 250 A.D. to 900 A.D. The cities they built still lure visitors from all over the world to either study or to tour.

BRITISH
The British first came here because of our logwood trees which produced many different shades of natural dyes and was of great use to them in the 1600's when textiles ruled the British economy. They would come here to harvest and export the wood. It was from their living in Belize that the battle of St. George's Caye came about. It was during this fight that the British gained control over Belize. As a former British colony, Belize has English as its official language and is a member of the Commonwealth. However, in 1981, we gained complete independence and are no longer a British colony.



Creole used to contain the largest portion of Belizean people. However, our new census shows that Spanish are now the larger population in Belize. This is mostly because of a lot of migration from our neighboring Central American countries. Luckily, we are still maintaining our Creole dialect... although, Spanish would obviously be more spoken than it was before. The Creole spoken here is not the French Creole but instead is more like the Jamaican patois. Creole people are considered to be people of mixed heritage.. which is most of the Belizean population.

SPANISH
Belize is the only English speaking country in Central America which is mainly why we consider it the jewel of the Caribbean. Spanish-speaking Mestizos came to Belize from the Yucatan Peninsula during the 19th century and continue to emigrate from Guatemala, El Salvador and surrounding countries today. The Spanish influence is strongest in our northern districts and cayes... such as Corozal, Orange Walk, San Pedro, and Caye Caulker.

GARIFUNA
The Garifuna culture is one of the most interesting cultures in Belize. It is a culture that is a result of the combination of African and Carib Indian. This culture is most popular in our southern districts and came about when slaves who were exiled from St. Vincent after a revolt in 1797 came to Belize. The Garinagu people live mainly in Hopkins, Dangriga, and Seine Bight and their language is a mixture of African, Indian, Spanish and English. And, the most beautiful element of their culture, besides their language and people are their drumming, dancing and trance states.

MENNONITES
The Mennonites left Europe to escape religious persecution in the 1920s. They are well noted for their construction smarts and, as a matter of fact, have been contracted to rebuild the famous Belize swing bridge. They can be seen all over the country and especially in Spanish Lookout which is a village in the western part of Belize.

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