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About Mesoamerica
Deforestation: Mesoamerica is one of the most diverse regions on the planet with 24,000 plant species, 5,000 of which are endemic. However, the forest is being depleted at an alarming rate. Annually 2% of the forest is lost, 10 times that of the world average. The IUCN Red List (www.redlist.org) notes that over 1,300 species are threatened here; over half are plants. The forest is also home to threatened fauna like the jaguar and howler monkey which are inherently affected by the loss of forest habitat. Population: Over half of the population of Mesoamerica is made up of rural farmers who depend on family labor. Also, half the population is children under 15 years old, representing a potentially dangerous rapid growth rate, doubling within the next 20 years. The majority of the population suffers from malnutrition and poverty, a common and increasingly devastating problem in the tropics. For more information on threatened plants and areas of Mesoamerica: About Belize Belize shares its border with Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea and is the second smallest Central American country with 22,966 sq km. Formerly known as British Honduras, Belize’s climate is tropical, very hot and humid. The rainy season lasts from May to November. Hurricanes and coastal flooding are natural dangers in Belize. There are approximately 273,000 people in Belize, with a growth rate of 2.39%. Ethnic groups include Mestizo (48.7%), Creole (24.9%), Maya (10.6%) and Garifuna (6.1%). English is the official language but Belizeans speak Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), and Creole as well. The capital is Belmopan, located in the central part of the country. The economy is small and essentially private enterprise dominated by tourism, followed by cane sugar, citrus, marine products, bananas, and garments. 33% of the population is below the poverty line-the GDP per capita is $4,900. The Belizean Dollar (BZD) is equal to $0.5 USD. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala did not recognize the new nation until 1992. Source: The US CIA Factbook Belize 2004 For more information, refer to the US CIA Factbook Belize, or the Belize Government. About Guatemala Guatemala shares its border with the North Pacific Ocean, El Salvador, Mexico, the Gulf of Honduras, Honduras and Belize and with a total of 108,890 sq km is the largest and most populous country in Central America. Guatemala’s climate is tropical-hot and humid in the lowlands and cooler in the highlands. Numerous volcanoes pose a threat to the population, as well as occasional violent earthquakes, hurricanes and other tropical storms. There are approximately 14 million people living in Guatemala with a growth rate of 2.61%. Ethnic groups include Mestizo (55%), Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian (43%), whites and others (2%). The population speaks Spanish (60%) and Amerindian languages (40%) (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca) The capital is Guatemala City, located in the south-central part of the country. With 75% of the population below the poverty line, agriculture accounts for about half of the labor force, services, 35% and industry, 15%. The GDP per capita is $4,100. Guatemala uses two forms of currency, the quetzal (GTQ) and the US Dollar (USD). There are approximately 8 quetzals per USD. The Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. Guatemala won its independence from Spain in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict. Source: The US CIA Factbook Guatemala 2004 For more information, refer to the US CIA Factbook Guatemala, or the Guatemalan Government.
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