World heritage body Unesco has removed the Belize Barrier Reef from its list of endangered World Heritage Sites after nine years.
It said the government of the Central American country had taken “visionary” steps to preserve it.
The reef is the second largest in the world after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
It is home to many threatened species including marine turtles, manatees and the American marine crocodile.
Unesco added the reef to its list of world heritage sites in 1996 but said it was in danger in 2009 following plans by the Belize government to allow oil exploration in nearby waters.
Unesco urged Belize to put safeguards in place to protect what Charles Darwin described as “the most remarkable reef in the West Indies”.
Environmentalists organised an informal referendum in 2012 in which 96% of those who took part voted against offshore oil activity.
In December 2017, lawmakers passed a landmark moratorium on oil exploration in Belizean waters, which makes it one of only a handful of countries in the world with such legislation.
At its meeting in Bahrain on Monday, Unesco praised Belize’s “visionary plan to manage the coastline”, saying that “the level of conservation we hoped for has been achieved”.
Receiving viable offers on your property can be an exciting thing, but it’s not always a good thing to accept the first or even the highest offer as soon as it is received. Taking a step back and reviewing all your options can get you to the best offer, rather than the highest one.
No matter the state of the real estate market, it’s always wise to analyze all the offers being presented to you. It’s not uncommon to receive a wave of offers on a property when it’s a seller’s market, but in a buyer’s market it is possible to get multiple offers on an appealing property.
Whatever the case may be, it’s always important to understand how to choose the best offer for you. Here are a few considerations before deciding on the best offer when selling your property:
Net Proceeds – this is how much money you keep in your pocket after meeting the terms of the sale. Other unexpected costs that may come up are:
Repairs
Closing costs
Down payments
Loan Approval – Sometimes pre-qualified and pre-approved sounds like the same thing, but in financial terms, it’s not. Pre-qualified means that the prospective applicant will most likely qualify for a loan under the lender’s current program. While on the other hand, a pre-approved applicant will have already completed an application at the lending institution, provided them with income information, asset statements, etc.
Escrow – this is essentially how much down payment is the buyer willing to make on the property to secure the sale.
Timeframe of Sale – Being able to close within a specific timeframe is key to wrapping up a sale and moving on.
Contingencies – Some buyers like to throw in all sorts of requests before closing a sale. While their monetary offer may seem fantastic, contingencies may mean you end up with little or nothing after the sale.
Choosing the best offer when selling a house doesn’t always come down to price. Sometimes it is worth accepting a few thousand dollars less from a buyer with no contingencies. There are many factors to consider when choosing the best offer on your property, at CPC, we know it can sometimes be a daunting task to sell your property. We understand exactly what it entails to lock in the right offer and our Team will ensure that all your requirements are met, that you are comfortable with the end result, and that you are kept well informed every step of the way.
At Hesed Realty, we strive to assist our clients to navigate the local real estate market in a way that best suit their needs. With our over 20 years of experience, we go to work for you and promise to take a close look at your needs, wants, and budget to help you find the right property.
We are dedicated real estate professionals who can save you time and money by ensuring that you get the best value and return on your investment in the current market climate. Our knowledge of the local real estate market gives us the confidence to assist with you with your real estate experience, making the entire process seamless.
With our vast inventory of properties ranging from large acreages to commercial buildings and seafront properties located across the country of Belize, we won’t quit until we find you the deal of a lifetime. Take a look at some of our featured properties in the Cayo, Stann Creek, and Toledo districts.
We are also pleased to showcase a few featured properties located in the southernmost districts of the beautiful country of Belize:
As a nation, Belize may only be just 37 years old and have a population of roughly the size of Wichita in the U.S. or Bradford in the U.K., but its people have still made a significant impact on the world stage. Belizeans have succeeded in fields as diverse as music and mathematics, from the birth of space exploration to the pinnacle of poker. Our 380,000 population has spread far and wide, making headlines wherever we go, from Miracle Mitt’s last-gasp basket for the Boston Celtics to Houston’s number four hit on the music charts of New Zealand, which also made number eleven in both the U.S. and U.K.
Perhaps the most famous Belizean citizen, for both good and bad reasons, is sprinter Marion Jones. Once the fastest woman on the planet, Jones was 100 meters World Champion in 1997 and winner of the 100 meters and 200 meters gold medals as well as a silver for the long jump at the IAAF World Cup in 1998. She was the best in the world at her peak before everything changed.
Belize has also produced many other stars of world sports, including Milt Palacio, who played in the NBA for seven years for top-class clubs like the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Reyenaldo Ignacio Martínez, better known as Chito, also played on sport’s biggest stage, swinging his bat for the Baltimore Orioles from 1991 to 1993, scoring 13 home runs in his first season.
Photo by World Poker Tour, CC BY-ND 2.0 Caption: Bob Bounahra put Belize on the world poker map.
While not everyone considers poker to be a sport, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is considering poker for future Olympic inclusion. If that happens, then Badih “Bob” Bounahra will be the first name on the Belizean team sheet. No more than an enthusiastic amateur, he made history when he reached the final table of the World Series of Poker in 2011 in what was his second ever tournament. He may have only finished seventh, but he still walked away with a cool $1.3 million and left hundreds of seasoned poker pros trailing in his wake. He has since gone on to total career winnings of over $2 million and put Belize firmly on the world poker map.
Photo by NASA, Public Domain Caption: John Glenn enters the Mercury capsule, designed by Belizean Maxime Faget.
Of course, Belizeans aren’t only great sportspeople; they have excelled in all kinds of other fields, too, from space flight to space science. Maxime Faget was one of the pioneers of space flight, working as part of the Space Task Group made famous by the movie “Hidden Figures.” He designed the Mercury capsule and was instrumental in the early design of the Space Shuttle, earning him a place in the International Space Hall of Fame. Today, the exploration of space is being led by another Belizean, Arlie Petters, who is the Benjamin Powell Professor and Professor of Mathematics, Physics and Business Administration at Duke University. His ground-breaking work on mathematical astronomy is changing the way in which we see our universe.
With just a third of a million citizens, Belize has a lot of which to be proud. We may have only 0.005 percent of the world’s population, but we are still making a name for ourselves on the world stage, making sure our tiny country makes a big noise. Watch this space!
Every summer sees some exciting sporting tournaments taking place, but there’s something special about this year. Of course, the world’s biggest event is taking place in Russia in June and July – but there’s plenty of spectacles being held around the globe which every sporting fan should be circling on their calendars. And while Belize may not be present at the World Cup, that won’t stop the sport-loving nation sitting in front of the TV and taking in some of the best athletes the world has to offer.
There’s action from North America in the form of the NFL season, which kicks off at the start of September, while the Tour de France is always an incredible summer spectacle. Wimbledon is equally enticing and this year’s tournament is more unpredictable than most, while the World Cup promises to put on yet another show of jawdropping footballing flair. And if you’re after a less mainstream option, look no further than Australia – the AFL season is already underway and Grand Final day is circled on every Aussie’s calendar for good reason. Here’s a pick of what you need to be looking out for.
2018 World Cup
This one almost goes without saying – it comes around every four years, and no major sporting tournament can really claim to match the World Cup for tension, quality and sheer drama. Despite a solid qualification campaign, Belize won’t be taking part at their first ever World Cup – the Jaguars crashed out in the fourth round of CONCACAF qualification against Canada. There’s plenty of teams to get behind, though. The central American flag will be flown by Mexico, who have a talented young squad but face a tricky group that also includes Germany, Costa Rica – who will be hoping to match their miraculous run to the quarter-finals in Brazil last time around – and Panama, who are taking part in their first ever World Cup and face an uphill battle against England and Belgium.
Elsewhere, the tournament has countless enticing storylines which will be dominating conversations for the next month. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are possibly the two greatest players to take to a football field – but neither have ever tasted the greatest success of all by winning the World Cup. Messi came agonisingly close last time, but his Argentina side lost in extra time to Germany. Ronaldo, meanwhile, is fresh off a surprising success at Euro 2016 – but the World Cup is a different proposition, and his team will be vying with Spain for top spot in their group.
The Spanish are certainly amongst the favourites to go all the way. Brazil can count themselves on that list too, and they’ll be desperate to avenge the humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany which saw them dumped out of their own tournament last time. The Germans will be as hard as ever to beat, and France have the insanely talented young squad to win their first title since 1998. Many are looking past Belgium, but if their team can seize on the opportunity that their promising and attacking squad presents then they might spring a surprise. England, as always, will dream as well – but history is never on their side.
Wimbledon
It will be competing with the World Cup for attention, but this annual Grand Slam is surely the pinnacle of tennis – and this year has plenty of intrigue. Home favourite Andy Murray is hoping to return to the game in time for the tournament which he’s won on two occasions – the Scottish player has missed almost a year with injury, though, and if he does make it in time he’ll be keen to silence his doubters and reclaim his position as one of the world’s elite players. He’ll have competition from Kyle Edmund, who has surpassed Muray as British number one and will be expecting to make good on his promise by reaching the latter stages of the tournament for the first time.
It seems that every year, tennis fans think they might be seeing the last of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal – and this time is no different. The ageless Swiss maestro Federer is a Wimbledon legend, and he’ll be hotly tipped to be celebrating on Centre Court after the men’s final once again. Nadal is back to his best, too, and Novak Djokovic, who has also slipped down the rankings due to injury, can’t be overlooked.
The women’s game is wide open thanks to the recent absence of Serena Williams from the game. Williams will be returning after her pregnancy and will be expected to pick up where she left off by winning yet another Grand Slam. But Simona Halep, who’s fresh off her win at the French Open, will be readying for another crown, and last year’s champion Garbiñe Muguruza is impossible to rule out.
AFL Grand Final
The sport that takes over Australia every year is beginning to gain an international following, and it’s easy to see why. Aussie Rules football features some of the most impressive athleticism of any sport, with players covering a huge circular field. That leads to plenty of close games and draws fans in their droves – there are few more incredible sights in sports than the massive Melbourne Cricket Ground full for an AFL fixture.
And the biggest fixture of all, the Grand Final, brings much of the southern hemisphere to a grinding halt. Last year’s winners Richmond are certainly capable of repeating their feat, and the latest odds on Oddschecker show that they’re slight favourites to do just that. But they’re closely followed by the Sydney Swans and the West Coast Eagles. And it’s hard to discount Geelong, Melbourne, and Collingwood, who have all made positive starts to the season and have the experience to compete on the big stage.
Grand Final day is certainly unique, and the pre-game show manages to draw some impressive musical talents including The Killers, Ed Sheeran and Meat Loaf in recent years. But once the pomp and circumstance is over, you’ll be treated to a classic game which captivates a nation. So if you’re looking for a new sport to cast an eye over this summer, turn on a few AFL games and make plans for the big day on September 29.
What’s summer for if not watching sport? This one’s no different, and televisions across Belize will be tuned to these blockbuster occasions over the next few months.
Hesed Realty is located in the capital of Belize, Belmopan. We specialize in selling prime real estate properties. Established in 2012 by Dean F. Hill, Hesed Realty will match you, our client, with the perfect property of your dreams. Whether you are looking for a beach front property, a single lot, acreages or land for industrial or agricultural use, we can help!
We have years of experience and an intimate knowledge of the sales and rental markets in Belize. Let us help you shop for that dream homes, ranch or investment property you have always wanted. We will make it a great experience!
Land in Belize is in high demand, contact us today at +501.621.3043 for your dream property.
Sovereign Day, formerly known as Commonwealth Day, is a public holiday in Belize. It celebrates the organisation of 54 independent or sovereign states under the British monarchy.
In 1884, Lord Roseberry visited Australia, which was then under British governance, and observed that some of the colonies were becoming increasingly independent. This observation led to a consultation between Britain and the colonies to address the need for independence.
In 1931, Canada, the United Kingdom, Irish Free State, Newfoundland and the Union of South Africa were recognised as the British Commonwealth of Nations. British was dropped from the name in 1946 and the countries are now more commonly called part of “The Commonwealth.”
In 1981, Belize joined the Commonwealth and is known as a constitutional monarchy. The Queen is not involved in daily governance, but is involved in ceremonial and symbolic events.
History of the Holiday
In the United Kingdom, Commonwealth Day is observed on the 2nd Monday in March. However, in Belize Commonwealth Day is celebrated on the 24th of May in honour of Queen Victoria’s birthday. This is why the holiday was originally known as Sovereign Day, although many in Belize still call it “Queen’s Birthday.”
During her reign, Queen Victoria was viewed as a motherly figure who was a revered leader of the British empire. The year after her death, the holiday was changed to Empire Day by the Earl of Meath in an effort to promote the training of children in “all virtues which conduce to the creation of good citizens.” It became Commonwealth Day in 1966.
Celebrations and Traditions
Commonwealth Day is a public holiday with banks and government offices closed. Horse races, conducted by the National Sports Council, are held in Belize City’s National Stadium and Orange Walk Town’s People’s Stadium. There is a cycling race, also arranged by the National Sports Council, between the cities of Belmopan and Cayo.
There is a flag-raising ceremony and a reading of the Queen’s Commonwealth Day message as well as events held at schools and universities to commemorate Commonwealth Day.
We are a fully born and raised Belizean Team, who have paid our dues working our way up in the Tourism Industry of Belize for the past fifteen years. We are Tour Guides who have put our skills together to bring you the Ultimate Belizean Tour.
Our goal is to re-inject and shed a larger light on the Historical and Cultural attributes of Belize which is the real treasure for all Belizeans. Along with the growth of the Tourism Industry Cavetubing5Star have realize the changes that have taken away from the real uniqueness that is Belize. Our plan is to revamp and revive our country’s positive attributes in a fun filled manner with a family orientated atmosphere for the World to enjoy.
Cave Tubing
Exclusive only to Belize. Cave tubing is not just a Tour it’s an ADVENTURE of a life time which encompasses The Belize River, Rainforest and Caves, with UNBELIZEABLE Fun! Come explore the pristine, underworld of Belize, where your imagination comes to life.
A high activity and educational tour where you go hiking for twenty (20) minutes through the Rainforest. Then float on your tube down the river through the mystic caves of the Mayas. Awesome for the eyes. At the end relax and be at peace with Nature’s Secret.
What to bring:
Your swimwear and water shoes are all you need along with your energetic spirit.
We provide all equipment: helmet, head lights, life vest and tube. Park fees included.
The Government of Belize has imposed a height restriction of no less than forty (40) inches.
A one (1) hour ride to the site that also includes a free city tour.
Physical Activity: A twenty (20) minutes’ walk through the jungle.
Belize has been on the right path where sustainable energy is concerned. By 2015 51.6% of our energy was generated from ‘hydro’ and 5% was from ‘biomass’. That’s highly respectable relative to the region. The new path – according to the national sustainable energy strategy – points to more self-sufficiency and renewable generation. On a more local level, homeowners, business owners and anyone really – you – can be a part of the energy transition. After all, energy management is every Belizean’s business.
So why energy efficiency (EE) or renewable energy (RE)? Well different reasons apply… and overlap as well, but the short answer revolves around the 3 Ps: people, profit & planet. Let’s break that down. ‘People’ refers to improving human welfare. The sustainable energy industry along with spinoff industries employ more and more people everyday. ‘Profit’ is rather straightforward since cutting energy consumption means savings on what we pay to the utility company. ‘Planet’, perhaps the ultimate ideal, espouses the respect we have for this galactic speck we call earth. Energy conservation equals carbon emission reduction – that’s about the simplest math around.
So at the macro level over 50% of our national 84.3-megawatt demand is fulfilled by renewable energy but there’s a great little story to unpack on the micro level as well. On the ‘renewables’ side solar lighting and solar water heating are now making their way into the mass market and home RE systems
Yes, sustainable energy is about investments – that pay for themselves of course – and that endure.
are taking root in what is a blossoming niche market. On the ‘efficiency’ flipside more efficient air conditioners are becoming available so much so that we are now even seeing “super” inverter air conditioners and LED lighting is becoming more ubiquitous by the day. All great options that should be weighed within the context of our investment plans. Yes, sustainable energy is about investments – that pay for themselves of course – and that endure. In some cases EE and RE investments carry a payback period of, get this, 6 months. Feeling shy about investments? Don’t worry, energy experts are about and institutions like the DFC are now ‘bank rolling’ borrowers with low interest loans and even unheard-of ‘100% financing’.
How do home AND business owners kick off the process? It starts with a simple survey called an energy audit. This is usually done by a knowledgeable person who, simply put, evaluates how much energy your home or business can save. Usually it’s a lot. So whether you’re thinking of installing solar water heaters or retrofitting energy ‘hoggish’ lamps or ACs there are private professionals – most of them are DFC partners – that can provide the hand-holding for you to understand the technology options available, life expectancy of different systems, installation considerations and how you can best leverage an investment to mitigate your electricity costs or gain a competitive advantage. Smart energy meters that, through the use of an online platform, give you real time energy data come to mind!
In the end if you take away nothing from this piece DO note this: aim high. Investments in EE and/or RE will only ‘pan out’ if you deal in quality goods and reputable contractors. Not only is this a condition of the DFC but also it’s simply the smart thing to do. Don’t forget, you get what you pay for. My parting shot? Take a good look around and you’ll see the transition taking place in both private and public sector. My thoughts make a bee line to The Biltmore Best Western who has turned to LED for almost all of its lighting and the newly-built Sarteneja Polyclinic which relies fully on solar water heating. They’re winning. You should be winning too.
Source: Ian Anderson’s Adventures in Belize via Facebook
When visiting Belize, every traveler must try as much Belizean food as you possibly can to fully experience the Belizean culture. Known for its breathtaking beaches and serene wildlife, this country also boasts of its mouth-watering cuisines that are sure to delight even the most discerning palate. The fusion of Mexican, Spanish, African, Mayan, Indian, Chinese, Creole, and American dishes is what makes Belize’s menu one very satisfying selection to taste. Here’s a list of Belize’s authentic cuisines that you should not miss when you stay in this Caribbean paradise.
Rice and Beans
Originally a Creole dish, rice and beans is referred to as the national dish of Belize, primarily because it is eaten by most of the locals every Sunday. This Belizean staple is made of rice and beans cooked in coconut milk and accompanied by stewed meat, usually beef or chicken, with gravy, potato salad, and fried ripe plantain.
Belizean Ceviche
Ceviche was actually invented in Peru and can be found all over Central America and Mexico. But like so many gastronomies in this country, the Belizean ceviche has a unique twist. Compared to ceviche that is served in a Mexican taco restaurant, which is a bit sweeter, the Belizean version is a bit spicy and has a lot of seafood, such as conch, fish, shrimp, lobster, or a mix of all four. To add flavor, the ceviche is loaded with diced onions, tomatoes, chopped cilantro, salt, black pepper, and lots of natural lime juice. This is served with a side of freshly fried corn tortilla chips – the perfect snack to have while lounging on the beach.
Panades
Panades is one of the gastronomic favorites in Belize which you will find almost everywhere, in restaurants, street food vendors, and cooked at home. These crispy golden brown pockets of heaven are the Belizean version of the Spanish empanadas. Panades are made with corn dough layered with beans and cooked fish or chicken then folded, deep fried, and served with an onion-cilantro salsa. The crunchy, savory combination is so tasty it’s impossible to eat just one piece. Empanadas are also served in most Mexican restaurants, so if you’re already drooling to have a taste, it’s possible to search for the nearest Mexican restaurant online and have it delivered to your doorstep.
Source: PeripheralNeuropathy Nerve Disorders via Facebook
Tamales
A trip to Belize is never complete without having a bite of its famous tamales. Also called bollo, the tamale is a traditional Mesoamerican meal made of seasoned meat, such as chicken or pork, wrapped in soft homemade corn dough which they call masa, and then steamed in plantain or banana leaves. Tamales can also be vegetarian by substituting the meat with vegetables.
There is so much to look forward to when travelling to Belize and their authentic dishes are surely one of them. This paradise in the Caribbean is a gastronomic melting pot of various tastes and textures from several countries in different parts of the world. Once your vacation is over, you will definitely be leaving Belize with so many good memories for your taste buds!
