Ministry Locations
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Belize is located in the southern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula in Central America and borders Mexico and Guatemala, facing the Caribbean Sea to the east. The coast is low-lying with swamps, mangroves, lagoons and sandy beaches. The Maya mountain range lies to the west and south in the country, rising to over 3,000 feet at some peaks. The capitol, Belmopan, is carved out of the jungle in the center of Belize, near the Maya Mountain foothills. Belize City, over 300 years old and the country's main commercial area and seaport, is the largest city, boasting over 80,000 inhabitants and continually growing. It combines a mixture of colonial architecture, functional wooden buildings and historic cathedrals, exuding a ramshackle charm. Other towns of note are Dangriga, Punta Gorda, and the blooming beach town Placencia to the south, and Orange Walk and Corozal to the north.
History
Belize was dominated by and in the middle of the Mayan empire for the better part of a thousand years. The Spanish arrived in the 16 th century and used the area primarily for logging. During the next two hundred years, many British and Spanish pirates inhabited the area, battling for naval supremacy. Finally in 1798, the British navy defeated the Spanish and laid official claim to the area. In 1862, Britain formally named the territory “British Honduras,” a title that lasted until 1962 when a peaceful independence was granted and British Honduras became Belize.
Food
Latin American, Creole, and Chinese restaurants represent the vast majority in Belize. Most restaurants serve a variety of foods, from chicken and rice to shrimp or pizza. Local fruits such as mangoes, bananas, and pineapples are widely available and taste excellent. Any fruits that are not peeled or cooked should be avoided.
Activities
Belize boasts dense jungles loaded with creatures that fly, swim, and walk. Among them, the toucan, jaguar, and tapir are most famous. The Belize Zoo offers a great opportunity to see the local flora and fauna up close. Also within Belize are a number of Mayan ruins, including Altun-Ha and Zunatunich, which rises 131 feet from the jungle floor.
Local markets sell fruits and handicrafts with a Caribbean feel. Certainly not to be forgotten are Belize's offshore coral cayes, which lay along the world's second longest barrier reef.
Climate
Belize enjoys a subtropical climate the entire year. The wet season occurs from August through November, followed by a dry season from December through March. The normal highs all year are 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit, while low temperatures rarely reach the 60's.
Language
Belize is the only English speaking country in Central America. Creole is also often spoken by locals, as well as Spanish in the western part of the country near Guatemala.
Safety
Belize is safe by Central American and Caribbean standards, though street crime is not uncommon in more urban areas. Local theft and pick pocketing are the most frequent occurrences. Awareness of one's surroundings is paramount at all times.
Currency
Belize's dollar value is tied to the United States dollar. Two Belizean dollars equal one U.S. dollar, and either currency can be used. At this time, Belizean banks are not connected to the international banking system, so ATM's are unusable for Americans. Visa and MasterCard continue to gain acceptance at most hotels and restaurants.
Religion
The vast majority of Belizeans declare some sort of spiritual faith. Many are Roman Catholic, while Christian Protestantism continues to grow. Other practiced cults are Jehovah's Witnesses, Hindu, and Voodooism.
Economy
Belize's economy is seeing steady growth due to an increase in international tourism. Its jungles are being touted as destinations for eco-lodges, and being located next to the world's second longest barrier reef has obvious advantages. Telecommunications companies are growing, attempting to usher Belize into the 21 st century. The per capita income in Belize is just over $8,000 USD annually.
Overview
Jamaica is a gorgeous Caribbean island nation located 600 miles south of Florida and 600 miles east of mainland Central America. Cuba lies directly to the north and Haiti to the east. Jamaica is adorned with beautiful sandy beaches on its north and west coasts, while the south and east coasts tumble down from the mountains to the water in the form of marshes and mangroves as well as few dark-colored sand beaches. Peaking at 7,402 feet, the Blue Mountains are famous for rich coffee beans. The mountains dominate any view of the eastern side of the island. The rest of Jamaica consists of rolling hills and flat beaches.
Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, is one of the Caribbean’s largest cities. Perched on the edge of the world’s seventh largest natural harbor, Kingston’s population comprises nearly 1 million people. This is approximately one third of Jamaica’s 3 million inhabitants. Living space is at a premium in this capital city. As the inner-city population continues to swell, the government has begun to develop suburbs to relieve some of the tension and hardships that can result from such density. From new shopping malls and restaurants in “New” Kingston to the “projects” called Three Mile, metropolitan Kingston represents the diversity of modern Jamaica.
Other famous cities and locales include Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios, which are truly the “picture postcards” of Jamaica. While these tourist locations are beautiful, romantic, and tropical, they do not accurately represent everyday life for the vast majority of Jamaicans. The struggle to make a living and create a better tomorrow dominates day-to-day life for most natives.
History
Jamaica was originally settled by the Arawak Indians of South America in the 700s AD. In 1494, Christopher Columbus stopped in Jamaica on his second voyage to the New World. The Spanish were the first to settle in Jamaica while slowly eliminating the Arawaks.
In the late 1600s, the English arrived in Jamaica. Spain and England were peaceful at the time, and the two countries united with a common goal of fighting off pirates that were plundering ships and communities throughout the Caribbean.
Near the end of the 1700s, England had begun importing slaves from West Africa. By the end of the century, 20,000 English landowners ruled over 300,000 African slaves on sugar plantations. Lay Pastor Sam “Daddy” Sharpe led the way to abolition slavery through passive resistance. He became a national hero while ultimately laying down his life for the cause of freedom. Slavery was officially abolished in 1834, though thousands died in the struggle.
Throughout the 1900s, Jamaica’s chief industries were sugar cane and bananas. These industries grew through corrupt business and government practices, which led to unrest and periodic uprisings from the labor forces.
Language
English is the official and predominantly spoken language in Jamaica. In addition, the locals have their own dialect and slang use of the language.
Food
Jamaican food is very flavorful and generally made from local resources. A typical Jamaican breakfast may include salt fish and ackee, a native fruit. A local dinner may feature fried fish or chicken with rice and beans. Don’t forget to try the world-famous Jamaican Jerk style sauce!
Activities
Jamaica plays host to a myriad of activities. The island is blessed with beautiful sand beaches, mountains, waterfalls, and dense jungles. Jamaica hosts more than 3,800 plant species and features more than 100 rivers. The wilderness is never far away!
Some of the Caribbean’s best shopping is in Jamaica. Open air markets and negotiating a price for an item are commonplace in Jamaica. With a strong local culture and substantial tourism industry, there is always the opportunity to bring a souvenir from Jamaica home with you.
Climate
Jamaica enjoys a subtropical climate throughout the year. The wet season occurs from August through November, raining in brief mid-afternoon showers. The dry season is from December through March. Normal highs year-round range from 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit, while low temperatures are in the 60 to 70 degree range.
Safety
Safety is our top priority at Praying Pelican Missions. All who travel need to take necessary precautions and be reminded to be aware of their environment. Jamaica has its share of crime, but generally it is confined to the urban areas amongst the locals. The Jamaica Tourism Board is continually working to maintain a safe environment for travelers and tourists.
Currency
The Jamaican dollar is the official unit of currency, though United States dollars are widely accepted. The exchange rate is approximately $65 Jamaica = $1 U.S.
Religion
Most Jamaicans profess some form of spiritual faith. It is the birthplace of Rastafarianism and its most famous follower, Bob Marley, so many Jamaicans promote "one love." This refers to the belief that we are God and God is us, thus creating "one love." Other prevalent religions include Buddhism, Jehovah’s Witness, Voodoo, and African-based Animist beliefs.
Christian churches have a significant presence in Jamaica. Protestant churches are more prevalent than Catholic churches by a 10 to 1 ratio, resulting from the English Anglican influence from past centuries.
Economy
Today, Jamaica is in a relatively stable state with the economy showing slow to moderate growth. This growth is fueled by the tourism industry and bauxite (a base form of aluminum) mining in the heart of the country. As the bauxite mines begin to run out, concerns are growing about what industry will take its place. Other significant exports include sugar cane and bananas.
The annual income in Jamaica is $4,100 U.S. dollars per person, creating a thin line between poverty and the middle class. This concern will be paramount to the people of Jamaica for years to come.
For more information, we encourage you to pick up a book about Jamaica in the travel section of your local bookstore, or research Jamaica online.
Map of Central America
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