Play

Belmopan

Capital of BelizeAbout 80 km inland from the Caribbean coast, Belmopan sits just east of the Belize River in Cayo District. It is only about 80 m above sea level, with the foothills of the Mountain Pine Ridge in view.

Why it's the capital

In 1961 Hurricane Hattie destroyed about three quarters of the houses and businesses in low-lying Belize City, the old capital. The government decided to build a new capital on higher ground, safe from storm surges. Work began in 1967, and the government moved to Belmopan in 1970.

Fun facts

  1. The name joins two rivers: the Belize, the longest river in the country, and the Mopan, which flows into it.
  2. The National Assembly Building, with its grey stone and broad steps, was designed to look like an ancient Maya temple.
  3. At first many foreign governments did not move their embassies here, because they doubted the new inland city would really become the capital.

Finding it on the globe

Start at Belize City on the coast and go about 80 km inland, slightly south of due west. Belmopan lands near the middle of the small country.

Easy to mix up

Many players tap Belize City, the country's biggest city on the coast, but the capital moved inland to Belmopan in 1970.

Sources: Wikipedia: Belmopan