978-1-4222-3285-9

Chronology

The Mayan civilization spreads into the area of Belize and flourishes until about A . D . 1200. Christopher Columbus sails along the coast of Belize and names the Bay of Honduras.

1500 B . C .

1502

A band of shipwrecked English sailors lands on the shore.

1638

Puritans and pirates settle the coast.

Late 1600s

Spain signs a treaty permitting settlers in the region to continue cutting down valuable trees. A second treaty is signed between settlers in the Belize area and Spain. The British navy, aided by Baymen and slaves, drives off the Spanish fleet in a sea battle off St. George’s Caye. Central American countries declare independence from Spanish rule.

1763

1786 1798

1821 1836 1862 1871 1961 1972

Britain claims the right to administer Belize.

Britain completes its hold by declaring British Honduras, as it was then called, “a Crown colony” in 1862.

The Crown colony system of government is introduced.

A hurricane destroys Belize City, the capital.

Belmopan becomes the new capital of Belize; Guatemala threatens war unless its territorial claims on British Honduras are respected. Official name of the region is changed from British Honduras to Belize. Belize attains full independence from Britain, although it remains part of the British Commonwealth.

1973 1981

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