978-1-4222-3285-9

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A Warm, Sultry Land Cooled by Sea Breezes

through the warm waters of mangrove swamps, for example, spearing fish with their long beaks. The sandy island cayes, on the other hand, shaded by palm trees, are ideal for tourist resorts. Diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating, sailing, sail boarding, sea kayaking, and bird and animal watching attract sports-minded persons and naturalists alike. Beyond the barrier reef, the continental shelf ends abruptly in a drop-off that sinks to over 10,000 feet. Hot and Breezy Weather The climate of Belize is subtropical. A brisk breeze from the Caribbean Sea blows regularly across the coast. In summer, the temperature rarely exceeds 96º F (35.5º C), and winter lows are rarely below 60º F (15.5º C), for an aver- age temperature of 79º F (27º C). The sea water temperature ranges between 75º and 84º F (24º to 29º C)—warmer than most outdoor pools. Annual rainfall ranges from 50 inches in the north to an amazing 170 inches in the south. The rainy season is usually between June and August, and the dry season is between February and May. At the end of October, the weather becomes cooler, and from November to February, rain showers swing through during the afternoons. The average humidity is 85 percent, which makes for warm and sultry weather in Belize in general.

TEXT-DEPENDENT QUESTIONS 1. What river forms much of the boundary between Mexico and Belize? 2. Where are the tropical rainforests located in Belize? 3. How high are the Maya Mountains? Where are the located within the country?