HISTORY
The Mayan civilization spread
into the area of Belize between 1500 BC and AD 300 and flourished
until about AD 1200. Several major archeological sites--notably
Caracol, Lamanai, Lubaantun, Altun Ha, and Xunantunich--reflect
the advanced civilization and much denser population of that period.
European contact began in 1502 when Christopher Columbus sailed
along the coast. The first recorded European settlement was begun
by shipwrecked English seamen in 1638. Over the next 150 years,
more English settlements were established. This period also was
marked by piracy, indiscriminate logging, and sporadic attacks
by Indians and neighboring Spanish settlements.
Great Britain first sent an
official representative to the area in the late 18th century,
but Belize was not formally termed the "Colony of British
Honduras" until 1840. It became a crown colony in 1862. Subsequently,
several constitutional changes were enacted to expand representative
government. Full internal self-government under a ministerial
system was granted in January 1964. The official name of the territory
was changed from British Honduras to Belize in June 1973, and
full independence was granted on September 21, 1981.
