Belize, a small country that became independent in 1981, possesses lush forests, a beautiful coastline, and a lifestyle that appeals to vacationers. It is bordered to the north by Mexico, and to the south and west by Guatemala. Off the coast of Belize, in the Caribbean Sea, is a 190-mile (300 km) long barrier reef that is home to many unusual plants and animals. It is the only country in Central America where English, not Spanish, is the official language. This reflects its history as a British colony. Today, Belize has a highly diverse society, as its roughly 350,000 residents include people from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. There's a lot to discover about Belize!