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Wonders of the planet. Belize Barrier Reef. Belize Barrier Reef in North America: Description, Features and Interesting Facts Belize Barrier Reef Belize

This impressive coral reef is located on the Caribbean coast of the Atlantic Ocean about 300 meters from the coast in the north of the country and about 40 km from the coast in the south. It stretches for 260 kilometers and is part of the Mesoamerican reef, which stretches for all 900 km.Due to its amazing beauty and diversity of the ecosystem, Belize reef, according to CEDAM, is one of the underwater wonders of the world.

Belize Reef is the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere and second in the world, followed in Australia. It consists of beautiful coral formations, many fish and invertebrates. Most reef-forming coral species live in the clear waters of the Belize Sea. The Barrier Reef consists of many amazing lagoons and atolls, striking in their diversity.

It can be divided into three main parts, each of which has its own unique features: the northern part is 46 kilometers long, the central part is 92 km and the southern one is 10 kilometers long.

Blue hole

This amazing underwater paradise is home to turtles, manatees, sharks, butterfly fish and many other marine organisms. There are also some species that are threatened with extinction, for example, an American crocodile. The reef ecosystem is very sensitive and vulnerable, and its diversity is simply amazing - it is more than 70 species of hard corals, 36 species of soft corals, 500 species of fish and 350 mollusks, as well as a wide variety of crustaceans, sponges and sea worms. However, most scientists believe that only 10% of the species that live in this ecosystem have been discovered. In addition to the underwater life that supports this ecosystem.Belize Reef is also home to a large colony of seabirds. So for nature lovers, and especially for divers, this is a real paradise.

Big Blue Hole

According to reports, the reef began to be used by the Maya Indians 2500 years ago for fishing, it is between 300 and 900 BC. Around this time, he begins to play a large role in the economy of the region to the present. In addition, the Bacalar Chico district was the Mayan ceremonial center. At the beginning of Spanish colonial time, the area was abandoned by the Mayans and was used by the Spaniards to repair ships and replenish food and water. In the XVII century, the region was used as a refuge for pirates. Charles Darwin, a well-known creator of the theory of evolution, was one of the first scientists to study the Belize reef. In 1842, he alluded to this wonderful ecosystem in his work on the origin and evolution of coral reefs. Since then, it has become the most famous coral reef in the western hemisphere. In the 19th century, waves of people immigrating to the Barrier Reef area began, mainly from Mexico, which continues to this day, because the beauty and richness of the reef provides great economic opportunities.

Big Blue Hole

During the year, about 150,000 tourists visit this area and bring about $ 80 million to the country's economy.The reef is the main attraction of the country and one of the greatest sources of income. A rather ramified tourist infrastructure has been created here and is located along the reef.This place has also been the subject of scientific research, mainly since the 1960s. The Smithsonian Institute of New York has created several research centers here. The pearl of the Belize Barrier Reef, of course, is Big blue hole“Blue Hole” located near the Yucatan Peninsula. This main attraction of Belize (and the most famous in the world) is a well, cylindrical in shape 305 meters in diameter and 122 meters deep, filled with crystal clear water. It is surrounded by one of the longest atolls-Lighthouse-Reef (Reef-Lighthouse).

Big Blue Hole

Unfortunately, today a reef, like many, is seriously threatened by human activities. Therefore, a reserve system was created, which consists of 7 marine reserves, 450 reefs and 3 atolls, which in total cover an area of \u200b\u200b960 square kilometers (370 square miles) and in 1996 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Diving in Belize

However, despite all conservation efforts, nearly 40% of the reserve has been damaged since 1998 due to ocean pollution, excessive tourism, agrochemical runoff, uncontrolled fishing, and global warming. The paramount task is to stop the destruction of this wonderful natural treasure and preserve it for future generations.

Diving in Belize

The underwater world of Belize

The Caribbean is famous for the most mysterious islands and coastline, whose biosphere has not yet been studied even by 10%. One of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean is the Belize Barrier Reef, which is approximately 280 km long, which runs along the Belize coast in Central America.

This is an integral part of the Mesoamerican barrier reef, the length of which from the Guatemalan coast to the northernmost borders of the Yucatan Peninsula is a total of more than 900 km.

Tourist pearl of the Caribbean

The main attraction and tourism center of Belize is the Belize barrier reef, which runs only 13-14 km from the coast. It is the largest in the reef cluster and occupies an honorable second place in the world, second only to the Australian Great Barrier Reef.

The Belize barrier reef is made up of a chain of coral reefs - Ternef, with small islands of different sizes (approximately 450), picturesque bays, shallows (over 540) and magnificent lagoons.

The most famous explorer of the deep sea among our contemporaries, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, established the non-volcanic nature of the origin of the reef, which distinguishes it from the nature of the occurrence of most reef clusters.

Countries located near the Belize barrier reef are Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. The reef water surrounds the Gulf of Honduras and here warm sea currents pass, which keep the temperature of water and air at approximately the same level throughout the year, creating special climatic conditions.

Historical information

There is evidence of archaeological expeditions that even before our era Indian tribes lived here, who later moved to the mainland and became residents of Honduras, Panama and other American states.

The name of this reef is also obliged to prehistoric settlers, although there is an opinion about the influence of the conquistadors and immigrants from South Africa. The first scientific description of the Belize Barrier Reef in North America belongs to Darwin, who was delighted with the variety of unique plants and animals and for the first time gave them detailed characteristics.

In the Middle Ages, the reef was chosen by pirates who ruled in the waters of the Caribbean Sea and arranged storage and marketing places for looted treasures on the islands. Subsequently, their descendants settled here and became fishermen, moved to the mainland and made up the bulk of the population of Belize and closely located states.

World Heritage List

In 1996, the UNESCO World Heritage List was supplemented by the unique ecosystems of the Belize Barrier Reef. The territories under protection cover more than 900 square kilometers. Significant objects of world heritage include:

A big blue hole with a terrific;
glovers Reef and Khol Chan marine reserves with their rich underwater world;
half Moon Key natural monument, where you can meet rare species of birds and turtles.

Blue hole of the caribbean

A large blue hole with a depth of about 300 m is a truly unique natural phenomenon, similar to a funnel with striking blue water and a coral border. This natural wonder is rightfully considered the most beautiful place in the Caribbean. Its appearance on the site of a dry cave was caused by a rise in sea level with subsequent flooding.

Stalactites on the steep walls of the cave form ledges and at the same time convenient viewing platforms of natural origin. Visibility through the water column - 60 m, a surprisingly rich underwater world, the ability to study rare species of marine life attract professional divers from all over the world. No less impressive is the Blue Hole aerial view.

Marine reserves

From the town of San Pedro on the island of Ambergris, you can reach the Chan Chan Marine Reserve in a matter of minutes. The variety of species living in the reserve is amazing: sea turtles, corals and sea sponges, many species of stingrays, dolphins, several species of sharks and more than one and a half hundred species of fish. Here diving sessions are organized for those who wish to swim with sharks and feed them, of course, in compliance with safety measures.

The Glovers Reef Marine Sanctuary is no less rich in beauty and equally saturated with various inhabitants of the sea. The divers will enjoy the divers at all levels, and those who wish to explore the underwater world will make a lot of discoveries for themselves.

Half Moon Key Natural Monument is home to hundreds of species of birds and sea turtles. Some species of birds, for example, the red-footed booby, live only here.

Since the natural heritage of the Belize Barrier Reef is declared a protected area, hunting and fishing, as well as the export of any resources, are prohibited in all protected areas.

Belize Tourism

A favorable climate, a beautiful underwater world, many attractions and ideal conditions for diving attract tourists from all over the world to Belize. The government supports the desire of travelers from all over the world to visit the beauty located near the reef.

In recent years, a lot of hotels have been built on the island reefs with a high level of service, which is able to satisfy the most daring expectations. A communication system between the islands has been established, many water, helicopter, underwater and ground excursions have been organized. Beginners can take a diving course and get an international certificate right here.

In addition to the impressions of observing the underwater world and visiting famous sights and protected areas, tourists will be interested in seeing the Belize Zoo, Butfield Park and the Government House. Interesting excursion routes at an affordable price, almost untouched nature and the opportunity to get a lot of impressions from extreme sports make visiting the Belize Reef a memorable adventure for life.

Ecology and the tasks of its conservation

Infrastructure development, poaching, and an ever-increasing influx of tourists are damaging the unique reef ecosystem. On the one hand, profit from the tourism industry allows us to develop the economy. On the other hand, tons of garbage that visitors leave behind, pollute a unique natural object and kill the inhabitants of the sea. Fishing with the use of hazardous chemicals, the capture of sea turtles and illegal spearfishing can lead to the fact that after some time there will be no trace of the variety of species, and some of them will become extinct.

The accumulation of toxic waste and an increase in the level of ultraviolet radiation in water leads to the so-called bleaching of corals, which can lead to the disappearance of the most beautiful reef chain and the entire ecosystem. The protective measures of the Belizean government and the assistance of the UNESCO World Organization should help preserve this amazing creation of nature. Our descendants must see the Belize Barrier Reef, therefore it is important to preserve for them this amazing natural object in its most pristine form.

In 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve 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 referred to as “outstanding world values”?

Preservation of valuable heritage

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest coral in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and is considered the largest in the Western Hemisphere. It stretches 300 kilometers along the Yucatan Peninsula, including most of the coast of the Central American country of Belize. The reef (in fact, a number of reefs) consists of approximately 450 shallows, or islets, and three coral atolls - ring-shaped reefs with picturesque lagoons. The seven water areas of this reserve, covering an area of \u200b\u200b960 square kilometers, are under the special care of the World Heritage Convention.

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

In the conservation zone of the Belize Barrier Reef, there are 70 species of hard and 36 species of soft coral and 500 species of fish. In the waters of the reef, rare and endangered species of animals are found, such as big-headed and green sea turtles, a bisse tortoise, as well as manatee and pointed crocodile. Speaking about the amazing diversity of marine fauna of this corner of the ocean, coral reef researcher Julian Robinson noted: “The Belize Barrier Reef provides many unique opportunities for both researchers and tourists. [...] This is one of the few places where you can still observe pristine nature in all its glory, however, 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 section of the reserve is also protected by World Heritage. The French oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau told the world about him during an expedition to the Calypso in 1970. Located in the middle of the turquoise sea, the Blue Hole is a limestone funnel with dark blue water bordered by living corals. It reaches approximately 300 meters in diameter and more than 120 meters in depth. Previously, before the sea level rose, there was a dry cave in the place of the Hole. Over time, the cave ceiling collapsed. The walls of the funnel plummet down about 35 meters. At this depth on the walls you can see the ledges from which huge stalactites hang. A stunning panorama opens from here - in this place the visibility is 60 meters. In addition to sharks, there is almost no living creature in the Blue Hole. Scuba divers should consider 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 place that is inscribed on the World Heritage List - the quiet isle of Half Moon Key, a refuge for a rare red-footed booby. About 98 other bird species also live here. Half Moon Key Ridge, extending 1,000 meters deep, is covered in magnificent soft corals. These underwater landscapes do not leave anyone indifferent.

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

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 depth of the sea increases sharply, there are three separate atolls - Ternef, Glovers Reef and Lighthouse Reef.

The water temperature in the reef area fluctuates slightly throughout the year - 23-25 \u200b\u200b° C in winter, and 25-28 ° C in summer. The islands have seaside resorts with diving centers. In Lighthouse Reef, the famous Great Blue Hole is located - a large karst funnel flooded by the sea.

Biological diversity

Ecosystems of the coastal zone of Belize since 1996 are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the richest ecosystems in the world. In seven sites of the object, the process of evolutionary development of reefs is presented, and rare species such as sea turtles, manatee and American American crocodile live. In addition, the reef is inhabited by:

70 types of hard corals
36 species of soft coral
500 species of fish
hundreds of invertebrate species

Moreover, according to scientists, only 10% of the species diversity of the reef is open.

Environment protection

The Belize Barrier Reef reserves include seven marine reserves, 450 reefs and three atolls. The total area of \u200b\u200bprotected areas reaches 960 km². They include:

Glovers Reef Marine Sanctuary
Great blue hole
Half Moon Key Natural Monument
Khol Chan Marine Sanctuary

Despite protective measures, the reef ecosystem is constantly threatened by pollution and destruction due to uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Hurricanes, global warming and the resulting increase in water temperature also pose a threat, leading to coral bleaching. According to scientists, since 1998 more than 40% of Belizean reefs have been damaged.

Since 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef has been on the World Heritage List. It has the same important status as Machu Piccha, the Grand Canyon and other famous natural monuments. What are the reasons to consider the reef a unique attraction of the planet?

The Belize Barrier Reef is the largest in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the world in terms of the number of corals. It is a group of reefs, consisting of hundreds of shallows and islets. The group includes 3 coral atolls. These are ring-shaped reefs with beautiful lagoons. A reef stretches along the coast of Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula.

Its length is 300 kilometers. The area of \u200b\u200bseven protected water areas is 960 square meters. km

The ecosystem of the coral reef is very diverse and at the same time unusually fragile. A quarter of all existing marine animals and plants inhabit this corner of the ocean. There are hundreds of species of soft and hard corals, fish. Belize Reef Shelters Rare Animalsendangered. Among them: green and big-headed sea turtles, witty crocodile, bisse tortoise and manatee.

Biological diversity:

70 types of hard corals
36 species of soft coral
500 species of fish
hundreds of invertebrate species

Moreover, according to scientists, only 10% of the species diversity of the reef is open.

The most serious threat to reef life systems is sea pollution, uncontrolled tourism and fishing using cyanide. Scientists warn that if you do not change the situation, then in just 20-40 years, 70% of the corals of the planet will disappear. For this reason, the reef is taken under the protection of the UNESCO organization.

Underwater panorama near the Barrier Reef

According to experts, today the Belize Barrier Reef is recognized as one of the few places on the planet that have preserved almost pristine nature.

For fans of scuba diving, the warm waters of the Belize Reef are the best place.

Another attraction of this corner of nature is the Blue Hole. It is located on Lighthouse Reef and is protected by the World Heritage Organization. The pioneer of this beautiful underwater corner is the French underwater explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. A blue hole is a funnel with dark blue water surrounded by living corals.

The diameter of the funnel reaches 300 m. Its depth is more than 100 m.

An underwater walk into the depths of the funnel is only for professional scuba divers. Beginners in diving can get an unforgettable experience swimming in the purest waters at the edge of the Blue Hole.