Belize

Wildlife

The country consists predominantly of tropical lowland and swampy plains, though the Maya Mountains in the west rise to almost 1000m (3280ft).

30km (19 miles) offshore is the world's second largest barrier reef, home to a broad range of marine life.

Half of the country is covered by dense (but rapidly disappearing) jungle; the rest is farmland, scrub and swamp. The tropical forests provide habitats for a wide range of animals, including jaguar, puma, ocelot, armadillo, tapir and crocodile.

The country also harbours keel-billed toucan, an abundance of macaws and parrots, and heron and snowy egret.