Belize barrier reef. An excerpt characterizing the Belize Barrier Reef

• The address: Belize City, Belize;
• Length: 280 km;
• Attractions: Glovers Reef, Great Blue Hole, Sapodilla Caye, Half Moon Cay, Hol Chan.

Why is it worth visiting?

More than 140 thousand tourists come to Belize every year. Someone for a rich exotic vacation, but there are those who want to become famous by making a real scientific discovery. After all, only 10% of the natural wealth of the Belize Barrier Reef has been studied today.

The reef ecosystem is incredibly rich and diverse. Here you can see:

• more than 100 types of corals (70 hard and 36 soft);
• manatees;
• turtles (including endangered species: hawksbill, bigheads and green sea turtles);
• sharp-winged crocodiles;
• about 500 species of fish;
• sharks (nannies, Caribbean).

If you are going to visit the Belize Barrier Reef, you will be welcomed. Hotels and diving centers are located on the coast and islands. Hotels cannot be attributed to the "Lux" class, all of them can be compared with three-star European hotels, but believe me, you will have no time to spend time in your room.

When is the best time to come?

Any time of the year is suitable for a trip to the Belize Barrier Reef. In winter, the water temperature does not drop below +23°C, and in summer it reaches +28°C.

Interesting Facts

• - a rather unsafe place for swimming (during high tide, it turns into a funnel with a whirlpool, and with the onset of low tide, it begins to gush, throwing everything out);
• the first to explore the Great Blue Hole was Jacques-Yves Cousteau;
• at the resorts of the Belize Reef, an unusual gambling entertainment is popular - “chicken loto” (chickens are released onto a fenced field lined with even squares, and players make bets - they choose the square on which the chickens will leave the most of their waste products; before receiving the prize, the winner must remove what brought him luck).

How to get there?

If your main purpose of visiting Belize is the reef, then when choosing a flight, it is better to choose Philip S. W. Goldson Airport as your destination. It is located 15 km from the port city, from where it is most convenient to get to the islands by sea. There you can order a one-way sea transfer if you intend to stay in island hotels, or take advantage of one-day tours (you will be taken to any resort on the reef and brought to the mainland in the evening).

It is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, stretching from the northeastern tip of the peninsula of North America to the southern coast of Honduras. The Mesoamerican reef (its total length is 943 km) is the largest in the Atlantic Ocean and is inferior in length only near the northeast coast of Australia (2500 km). The Belize Barrier Reef is the most remarkable part of the Mesoamerican Reef for its richness of coral species, as well as other animals living in and above the coral labyrinths.
All encyclopedic and gazetteers duplicate the same figures: more than 500 species of fish, 70 species of hard and 36 species of soft corals, hundreds of species of invertebrates, as well as such rare species as manatees, sea turtles, live in the area of ​​the Belize Barrier Reef, among which loggerhead and green sea turtles, Byss and Hawksbill turtles; American sharp-nosed crocodile. The figures are impressive, but approximate: today, about 90% of the fauna of the region remain unexplored, that is, undescribed, unclassified and even unidentified. It is also not known exactly how much the reef fauna is a closed environment or, on the contrary, is subject to changes due to the migration of different species, how many endemics live in the region, etc. In a word, from a biological point of view, the Belize Barrier Reef is an unknown world. Just not because scientists are “lazy and incurious.” The reason here is completely different - the unusually intense biological environment of coral reefs as such, the Belize Barrier Reef among them, if it differs in any way, is the stability of the water temperature, it is here all year round - + 25-27 ° C, which favorably affects the photosynthesis of unicellular symbiont algae living in coral polyps, or corals - microscopic intestinal animals. And then everything - in chains, mainly (as in any zoological community) food.
Algae supply corals with oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide from them. Corals live in colonies. Over time, the colonies die off, turning into mineralized skeletons. New colonies settle on them. Coral slime is an ideal substrate for the development of bacterial plankton, the one for zooplankton. Phyto- and zooplankton feed on fish and benthic invertebrates, and they are hunted by predators. Another branch of the chain: algae eat manatees, and they are hunted by crocodiles. Sea turtles, which feed mainly on small fish, are chased by sharks. The coral reef ecosystem is the most diverse and densely populated in the world's oceans. Its biomass is estimated at hundreds of grams per square meter of bottom, and the total number of reef animal species can reach a million. Theoretically, but with a high degree of probability.
The very first scientific (and admiring!) description of the reef in 1842 was made by Charles Darwin (1809-1882), he, in fact, opened this reef to the scientific world. Another important discovery was made in 1972.
Jacques-Yves Cousteau (1910-1997). Most atolls are located in the Pacific Ocean, where they are the product of underwater volcanoes. The three atolls of the Belize Barrier Reef are of non-volcanic origin, proved Cousteau using the example of the Great Blue Hole he discovered - a karst funnel in the center of Lighthouse Reef, 120 m deep and 305 m in diameter. This is a collapse in the system of karst caves formed during the last ice age. Before its end, approximately 10,000 - 15,000 years ago, the ocean level was lower by 120-135 m, but when it rose, "holes" like this one formed in the karsts - with piercing blue water.
Approximately 450 islets, large and small coral reef formations are united by the general geographical concept of the Belize Barrier Reef, which, in turn, is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The Belize Barrier Reef stretches along the mainland coast of Belize for a distance of approximately 3 km in the north to 40 km in the south. The prevailing currents in this part of the Caribbean Sea are southwesterly. In the southeastern, deepest part of the region, there are three ring-shaped coral atolls with lagoons: these are Turnef, Glovers Reef and Aitehouse Reef.
The Belize Barrier Reef received the highest score from UNESCO in 1996 - seven of its protected areas were included in the World Natural Heritage List.
Before that, it was popular both among experienced divers and beginners in snorkeling - swimming with a mask, snorkel and fins. But after receiving the prestigious certificate of world attractions, the reef experienced a real tourist boom. And today up to 140,000 people a year come here (the population of Belize is 334,300 people, 2013).
As a resort region, the Belize Barrier Reef began to develop in the second half of the 20th century, but even before that it had its own history. There is archaeological evidence that the Maya, who came to the territory of Belize in the III millennium BC. e., in the area of ​​the Belize Barrier Reef fished in the period from about 300 BC. e. to 900 AD e., after which the bulk of the "Belizean" Maya moved to the territory of present-day Mexico.
From the beginning of the 17th century the islands (kaye) of the reef were ruled by pirates, by origin English and Scots. All caye are islands of greenery - mostly mangrove vegetation, a total of 178 terrestrial plants, 247 species of coastal marine flora and about 200 species of birds nesting on the shores have been identified here. By the end of the XVIII century. the descendants of pirates became fishermen, whose catch was bought by merchants of the Mosquito Coast (now - the territory of Nicaragua). The Caye then experienced several waves of migration. Garifuna Indians and other tribes from Mexico moved here, and from about the middle of the 19th century. more and more white North Americans began to appear, who came to rest.
Most of the shark species that live within the Belize Barrier Reef are not dangerous to humans, as evidenced by the statistics of their encounters with humans, which is maintained by the local conservation service. A well-fed shark is not interested in a person, and the local sharks are almost always full, although, of course, it is impossible to completely exclude the possibility of their attack. There are several serious dangers for the fauna of the reef. One of them is a wave-like process in time, most often called "whitening", or discoloration: the reefs lose their characteristic color. This is a sign that the natural immunity of corals is declining, and they begin to get sick, often dying from these diseases. Coral bleaching is most affected by rising ocean temperatures, especially during the passage of hurricanes. In 1995, 10% of corals noticeably faded in this situation. Hurricane Mitch in October 1998 is believed to have caused the death of more than 40% of the corals in this area of ​​the Caribbean. Reefs have the ability to regenerate - thanks to the emergence of new colonies of corals, but the more often phenomena such as bleaching repeat, the less chance reefs have to recover.
Other threats to the Great Belize Reef ecosystem come from humans. This is, first of all, the use by poachers, who are engaged in the so-called aquarium fishing, of poisons of reversible action, immobilizing marine hydrobionts for a while. Once and for all, to stop poaching in this highly profitable business is, admittedly, a practically impossible task: after all, most reef fish and invertebrates do not breed under artificial conditions, and the demand for them is only growing. And no matter how rich the local underwater world is, poaching “mows down” entire fish shoals and coral colonies. The process of bleaching of coral reefs, of course, is also affected by pollution of the World Ocean with agrochemical effluents, uncontrolled underwater tourism, shipping and fishing.
Recently, the area of ​​"bleached" places in the area of ​​the Belize Barrier Reef has been declining. A significant role in this is played by the measures taken by the UNESCO Commission for the control of protected areas of our planet. In addition, a special coordination program has been developed in Belize to protect the natural resources of the reef. At the end of 2010, it became the first country in the world to categorically ban bottom trawling.

general information

Coral reef system that is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

State affiliation: Belize.

Official language of Belize: English.

Currency unit: Belize dollar, legal tender is the US dollar.
largest island: Ambergris Caye (resort).

The largest peninsula, one of the resorts closest to the reef: Placencia.

The largest settlement: City of San Pedro on the island of Ambergris Caye (13,500 people, 2012).

Other major islands: Caulker Caye, Chapel Caye, Carrie Bow Caye, St. George's Caye, English Caye, Rendezvous Caye, Gladden Caye, Ranguana Caye, Long Caye, Maho Caye, Blackbird Caye, Tre Corner Caye, Northern Caye, Tobacco Caye, Sandborough Caye.

Nearest airport: Philip-Goldson in Belize City (International).

Numbers

Length: 290 km.
Total area of ​​protected areas: about 960 km2.
Number of islands: about 450.
Number of atolls: 3.

Average water depth: in the north of the region - 2-3 m (maximum - 6 m), in the south - 20-25 m.

Maximum Depth (Great Blue Hole): 120 m.
Average tidal wave height: 0.5 m.

highest point: 5 m above sea level.

Climate and weather

Tropical trade winds, hot and humid.

Rainy season: from the end of May to November.

Average monthly air and water temperature throughout the year: +26°С, with small deviations in different parts of the region.
Average annual rainfall: 1800 mm.
Hurricanes are likely between August and October.
When the northern trade winds blow, the sea rises with excitement (from mid-December to early March), visibility under water becomes worse.

Economy

Fishing, extraction of crustaceans and molluscs.
Tourism, including cruise, when tourists stop at the resort islands of the reef for 1-2 days.

Attractions

■ Glovers Reef Marine Reserve.
■ Great Blue Hole(St. Hermann Blue Hole National Park).
■ Natural Monument Half Moon Caye Island- a habitat for about 100 species of birds (among them the red booby sula-sula listed in the Red Book, several species of sea frigates), more than 1000-meter strip of soft corals.
■ Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
■ Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve.
■ Ambergris Caye Island.
■ Mayan civilization monuments: the archaeological complex of Altun-Kha, the ruins of the cities of Karakol, Lamanai, Num-Li-Punit, the city-fortress of Shunantunich, the ceremonial sanctuary of Chukil-Baalum.
■ Belmopan(the capital of Belize, built in the 1970s): Art Box (constantly updated exposition of contemporary art), city museum, sculptural ensemble "Belize Go!", parks, nearby - Guanacaste Nature Reserve.
■ Belize City(the largest city in the country): St. John's Cathedral (1847), the National Museum in the building of the former colonial prison of the 18th century. (Mayan art), Maritime Museum (history of navigation), Coastal Zonal Museum (reef ecosystem), National Crafts Center, Baron Bliss Lighthouse Monument, 35 km from the city - Belize Zoo, 50 km - Center. J. Darrell.

Curious facts

■ The best place to dive into the underwater world is the island of Ambergris Caye. In several places the reef wall comes close to the shore.
■ On the walls of the Great Blue Hole, you can see huge stalactites and stalagmites, formed in ancient times in caves that collapsed later.
■ At the resorts of the Belize Barrier Reef, a special type of gambling entertainment is widespread, which can be conditionally called “chicken loto”. A large sheet of cardboard is drawn into squares marked with numbers, then the playing field is fenced off with a mesh barrier, and ... chickens are released onto it. Tourists make bets on which square will have the most products of their vital activity. Before receiving the prize, the winner must carefully remove what brought him good luck.

In 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List. Now this reef has the same status as Machu Picchu in Peru, the Grand Canyon in the United States and other outstanding monuments of nature and culture. Why is this reef classified as an "Outstanding World Value"?

Preservation of valuable heritage

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest coral reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and is considered the largest in the Western Hemisphere. It stretches for 300 kilometers along the Yucatan Peninsula, including most of the coast of the Central American country of Belize. The reef (actually a whole series of reefs) consists of about 450 shoals, or islets, and three coral atolls - ring-shaped reefs with picturesque lagoons. The seven water areas of this reserve, covering an area of ​​960 square kilometers, are under the special care of the World Heritage Convention.

Coral reefs need to be protected because they contain a quarter of all marine plants and animals. In terms of biological diversity, the coral reef ecosystem is second only to tropical rainforests. However, scientists warn that if we continue to pollute the seas, use cyanide for fishing and do not control tourism, then within 20-40 years, 70 percent of all corals on the planet will die.

There are 70 species of hard and 36 species of soft corals and 500 species of fish in the protected area of ​​the Belize Barrier Reef. Rare and endangered species of animals live in the waters of the reef, such as the loggerhead and green sea turtles, the hawksbill turtle, as well as the manatee and the sharp-snouted crocodile. Speaking about the amazing diversity of marine life in this corner of the ocean, coral reef explorer Julian Robinson said: “The Belize Barrier Reef provides many unique opportunities for explorers and tourists alike. […] This is one of the few places where you can still observe the pristine nature in all its glory, but even here it is in danger.”

One of the most beautiful places for underwater walks is the Blue Hole, located on the Lighthouse Reef, about 100 kilometers from the coast of Belize. This part of the reserve is also under the protection of the World Heritage. French oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau told the world about it during an expedition to the Calypso in 1970. Nestled in the middle of a turquoise sea, the Blue Hole is a limestone sinkhole with dark blue water fringed by living corals. It reaches approximately 300 meters in diameter and more than 120 meters deep. Previously, before the sea level rose, there was a dry cave in the place of the Hole. Over time, the ceiling of the cave collapsed. The walls of the funnel go down vertically by about 35 meters. At this depth, you can see ledges on the walls from which huge stalactites hang. From here a stunning panorama opens - in this place the visibility is 60 meters. In addition to sharks, there is almost no living creatures in the Blue Hole. Scuba divers should take into account that such a dive can cause decompression - it is not for beginners. But the crystal clear waters at the edge of the Blue Hole are perfect for snorkelling.

Nearby is another site that is inscribed on the World Heritage List - the quiet islet of Half Moon Key, a refuge for the rare red-footed booby. About 98 other bird species also live here. Half Moon Key extends 1,000 meters deep and is covered with magnificent soft corals. These underwater landscapes leave no one indifferent.

As we have seen from this article, the Belize Barrier Reef is a valuable heritage that needs to be preserved for future generations. The destruction of the reef could lead to "dangerous impoverishment of the heritage of all peoples."

Belize Belize Type Natural Criteria vii, ix, x Link Region*** Latin America and the Caribbean Inclusion 1996 (20 session)

Coordinates : 17°15′45″ N. sh. 88°03′10″ W d. /  17.26250° N sh. 88.05278° W d./ 17.26250; -88.05278(G) (I)

*
**
***

Belize Barrier Reef- a chain of coral reefs 280 km long, running along the coast of Belize at a distance of 13 - 24 km from it. It is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, stretching for 900 km from the northern tip of Yucatan to the coast of Guatemala. This reef system is the largest barrier reef in the Atlantic Ocean and the second largest in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Tourism

The Belize Barrier Reef is the main tourist attraction of Belize, it is visited by up to 130 thousand tourists a year. The reef is also important from a fishing point of view. The seabed between the reef and the mainland is sandy, in some places there are islands overgrown with mangroves. In the eastern part, where the sea depth increases dramatically, there are three separate atolls - Turnef, Glovers Reef and Lighthouse Reef.

The water temperature in the reef area fluctuates slightly throughout the year - 23-25 ​​° C in winter, and 25-28 ° C in summer. On the islands there are sea resorts with diving centers. In the center of Lighthouse Reef is the famous Great Blue Hole - a large sinkhole flooded by the sea.

Biodiversity

Environment protection

The Belize Barrier Reef reserves include seven marine reserves, 450 reefs and three atolls. The total area of ​​protected areas reaches 960 km². They include:

Despite protective measures, the reef ecosystem is constantly under threat of pollution and destruction due to uncontrolled tourism, shipping and fishing. Hurricanes, global warming and the resulting rise in water temperatures also pose threats such as coral bleaching. According to scientists, more than 40% of Belize's reefs have been damaged since 1998.

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An excerpt characterizing the Belize Barrier Reef

The countess had not yet had time to answer her, when Prince Andrei, with an anxious and serious face, entered the living room. As soon as he saw Natasha, his face lit up. He kissed the hand of the countess and Natasha and sat down beside the sofa.
“For a long time we have not had pleasure ...” the countess began, but Prince Andrei interrupted her, answering her question and obviously in a hurry to say what he needed.
- I have not been with you all this time, because I was with my father: I needed to talk to him about a very important matter. I just got back last night,” he said, looking at Natasha. “I need to talk to you, Countess,” he added after a moment's silence.
The Countess sighed heavily and lowered her eyes.
“I am at your service,” she said.
Natasha knew that she had to leave, but she could not do it: something was squeezing her throat, and she looked impolitely, directly, with open eyes at Prince Andrei.
"Now? This minute!… No, it can't be!” she thought.
He looked at her again, and this look convinced her that she had not been mistaken. - Yes, now, this very minute her fate was being decided.
“Come, Natasha, I will call you,” said the countess in a whisper.
Natasha looked with frightened, pleading eyes at Prince Andrei and at her mother, and went out.
“I have come, Countess, to ask for the hand of your daughter,” said Prince Andrei. The countess's face flushed, but she said nothing.
“Your suggestion…” the Countess began sedately. He remained silent, looking into her eyes. - Your offer ... (she was embarrassed) we are pleased, and ... I accept your offer, I'm glad. And my husband ... I hope ... but it will depend on her ...
- I will tell her when I have your consent ... do you give it to me? - said Prince Andrew.
“Yes,” said the Countess, and held out her hand to him, and with a mixture of aloofness and tenderness pressed her lips to his forehead as he leaned over her hand. She wanted to love him like a son; but she felt that he was a stranger and a terrible person for her. “I'm sure my husband will agree,” said the countess, “but your father ...
- My father, to whom I informed my plans, made it an indispensable condition for consent that the wedding should not be earlier than a year. And this is what I wanted to tell you, - said Prince Andrei.
- It is true that Natasha is still young, but so long.
“It could not be otherwise,” Prince Andrei said with a sigh.
“I will send it to you,” said the countess, and left the room.
“Lord, have mercy on us,” she repeated, looking for her daughter. Sonya said that Natasha was in the bedroom. Natasha sat on her bed, pale, with dry eyes, looked at the icons and, quickly crossing herself, whispered something. Seeing her mother, she jumped up and rushed to her.
- What? Mom?… What?
- Go, go to him. He asks for your hand, - said the countess coldly, as it seemed to Natasha ... - Go ... go, - the mother said with sadness and reproach after her daughter, who was running away, and sighed heavily.
Natasha did not remember how she entered the living room. When she entered the door and saw him, she stopped. “Is this stranger really become my everything now?” she asked herself and instantly answered: “Yes, everything: he alone is now dearer to me than everything in the world.” Prince Andrei went up to her, lowering his eyes.
“I fell in love with you from the moment I saw you. Can I hope?
He looked at her, and the earnest passion of her countenance struck him. Her face said: “Why ask? Why doubt that which is impossible not to know? Why talk when you can’t express what you feel in words.
She approached him and stopped. He took her hand and kissed it.
– Do you love me?

Coral reef system in the Caribbean Sea with a length of about 290 km off the coast of Belize. It is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest on our planet after the Great Barrier Reef. The Belize Barrier Reef is a place where the pristine underwater world has been preserved, attracting divers from all over the world. There are threats to its ecosystem. Seven sites in the region are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

CORAL NECKLACE BETWEEN THE TWO AMERICAS

The Belize Barrier Reef is one of those places on the globe where you can get acquainted with the colorful underwater world in its original form.

This Caribbean reef is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which stretches from the northeastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula of North America to the southern coast of Honduras. The Mesoamerican Reef (its total length is 943 km) is the largest in the Atlantic Ocean and is second in length only to the Great Barrier Reef near the northeast coast of Australia (2500 km). The Belize Barrier Reef is the most remarkable part of the Mesoamerican Reef for its richness of coral species, as well as other animals living in and above the coral labyrinths.

All encyclopedias and gazetteers duplicate the same figures: the Belize Barrier Reef is home to over 500 species of fish, 70 species of hard and 36 species of soft corals, hundreds of species of invertebrates, as well as such rare species as manatees, sea turtles, among which are big-headed and green sea turtles, turtles of Byss and Hawksbill; American sharp-nosed crocodile. The figures are impressive, but approximate: today, about 90% of the fauna of the region remain unexplored, that is, undescribed, unclassified and even unidentified. It is also not known exactly how much the reef fauna is a closed environment or, on the contrary, is subject to changes due to the migration of different species, how many endemics live in the region, etc. In a word, from a biological point of view, the Belize Barrier Reef is an unknown world. Just not because scientists are “lazy and incurious.” The reason here is completely different - the unusually intense biological environment of coral reefs as such, the Belize Barrier Reef among them, if it differs in any way, is the stability of the water temperature, it is here all year round - + 25-27 ° C, which favorably affects the photosynthesis of unicellular symbiont algae living in coral polyps, or corals - microscopic intestinal animals. And then everything - in chains, mainly (as in any zoological community) food.

Algae supply corals with oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide from them. Corals live in colonies. Over time, the colonies die off, turning into mineralized skeletons. New colonies settle on them. Coral slime is an ideal substrate for the development of bacterial plankton, the one for zooplankton. Phyto- and zooplankton feed on fish and benthic invertebrates, and they are hunted by predators. Another branch of the chain: algae eat manatees, and they are hunted by crocodiles. Sea turtles, which feed mainly on small fish, are chased by sharks. The coral reef ecosystem is the most diverse and densely populated in the world's oceans. Its biomass is estimated at hundreds of grams per square meter of bottom, and the total number of reef animal species can reach a million. Theoretically, but with a high degree of probability.

The very first scientific (and admiring!) description of the reef in 1842 was made by Charles Darwin (1809-1882), he, in fact, opened this reef to the scientific world. Another important discovery was made in 1972 by Jacques-Yves Cousteau (1910-1997). Most atolls are located in the Pacific Ocean, where they are the product of underwater volcanoes. The three atolls of the Belize Barrier Reef are of non-volcanic origin, proved Cousteau using the example of the Great Blue Hole he discovered - a karst funnel in the center of Lighthaus Reef, 120 m deep and 305 m in diameter. This is a collapse in the system of karst caves formed during the last ice age. Before its end, approximately 10,000-15,000 years ago, the ocean level was lower by 120-135 m, but when it rose, "holes" like this one formed in the karsts - with piercing blue water.

Approximately 450 islets, large and small coral reef formations are united by the general geographical concept of the Belize Barrier Reef, which, in turn, is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The Belize Barrier Reef stretches along the mainland coast of Belize for a distance of approximately 3 km in the north to 40 km in the south. The prevailing currents in this part of the Caribbean Sea are southwesterly. In the southeastern, deepest part of the region, there are three ring-shaped coral atolls with lagoons: these are
Turnef, Glovers Reef and Lighthouse Reef.

TO THE BARRIER

The Belize Barrier Reef received the highest score from UNESCO in 1996 - seven of its protected areas were included in the World Natural Heritage List.

Before that, it was popular, both among experienced divers and beginners in snorkeling - swimming with a mask, a breathing tube and fins. But after receiving the prestigious certificate of world attractions, the reef experienced a real tourist boom. And today up to 140,000 people a year come here (the population of Belize is 334,300 people, 2013).

As a resort region, the Belize Barrier Reef began to develop in the second half of the 20th century, but even before that it had its own history. There is archaeological evidence that the Maya, who came to the territory of Belize in the III millennium BC. e., in the area of ​​the Belize Barrier Reef, they fished in the period from about 300 BC. e. to 900 AD e., after which the bulk of the "Belizean" Maya moved to the territory of present-day Mexico. bought by merchants of the Mosquito Coast (now - the territory of Nicaragua). The Caye then experienced several waves of migration. Garifuna Indians and other tribes from Mexico moved here, and from about the middle of the 19th century. more and more white North Americans began to appear, who came to rest.

Most of the shark species that live within the Belize Barrier Reef are not dangerous to humans, as evidenced by the statistics of their encounters with humans, which is maintained by the local conservation service. A well-fed shark is not interested in a person, and the local sharks are almost always full, although, of course, it is impossible to completely exclude the possibility of their attack. There are several serious dangers for the fauna of the reef. One of them is a wave-like process in time, most often called "whitening", or discoloration: the reefs lose their characteristic color. This is a sign that the natural immunity of corals is declining, and they begin to get sick, often dying from these diseases. Coral bleaching is most affected by rising ocean temperatures, especially during the passage of hurricanes. In 1995, 10% of corals noticeably faded in this situation. Hurricane Mitch in October 1998 is believed to have caused the death of more than 40% of the corals in this area of ​​the Caribbean. Reefs have the ability to regenerate - thanks to the emergence of new colonies of corals, but the more often phenomena such as bleaching repeat, the less chance reefs have to recover.

Other threats to the Great Belize Reef ecosystem come from humans. This is, first of all, the use by poachers, who are engaged in the so-called aquarium fishing, of poisons of reversible action, immobilizing marine hydrobionts for a while. Once and for all, to stop poaching in this highly profitable business is, admittedly, a practically impossible task: after all, most reef fish and invertebrates do not breed under artificial conditions, and the demand for them is only growing. And no matter how rich the local underwater world is, poaching “mows down” entire fish shoals and coral colonies. The process of bleaching of coral reefs, of course, is also affected by pollution of the World Ocean with agrochemical effluents, uncontrolled underwater tourism, shipping and fishing.

Recently, the area of ​​"bleached" places in the area of ​​the Belize Barrier Reef has been declining. A significant role in this is played by the measures taken by the UNESCO Commission for the control of protected areas of our planet. In addition, a special coordination program has been developed in Belize to protect the natural resources of the reef. At the end of 2010, Belize became the first country in the world to categorically ban bottom trawling.

CURIOUS FACTS

■ The best place to dive into the underwater world is the island of Ambergris Caye. In several places the reef wall comes close to the shore.

■ On the walls of the Great Blue Hole, you can see huge stalactites and stalagmites, formed in ancient times in caves that collapsed later.

■ At the resorts of the Belize Barrier Reef, a special type of gambling entertainment is widespread, which can be conditionally called “chicken loto”. A large sheet of cardboard is drawn into squares marked with numbers, then the playing field is fenced off with a mesh barrier, and ... chickens are released onto it. Tourists make bets on which square will have the most products of their vital activity. Before receiving the prize, the winner must carefully remove what brought him good luck.

ATTRACTION

■ Glovers Reef Marine Reserve.
■ Great Blue Hole (St. Hermann's Blue Hole National Park).
■ Natural Monument Half Moon Caye Island- a habitat for about 100 species of birds (among them the red booby sula-sula listed in the Red Book, several species of sea frigates), more than 1000-meter strip of soft corals.
■ Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
■ Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve.
■ Ambergris Caye Island. In the rest of Belize:
■ Monuments of the Mayan civilization: the archaeological complex of Altun-Kha, the ruins of the cities of Karakol, Lamanai, Num-Li-Punit, the city-fortress of Shunantunich, the ceremonial sanctuary of Chukil-Baalum.
■ Belmopan (the capital of Belize, built in the 1970s): Art Box (constantly updated exposition of contemporary art), city museum, sculptural ensemble "Belize Go!", parks, nearby - Guanacaste Reserve.
■Belize City (the largest city in the country): Cathedral of St. John (1847), the National Museum in the building of the former colonial prison of the 18th century. (Mayan art), Maritime Museum (nautical history), Coastal Zone Museum (reef ecosystem), National Craft Center, Baron Bliss Lighthouse Monument,
35 km from the city - Belize Zoo, 50 km - Center. J. Darrell.

Atlas. The whole world is in your hands №212

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