Belize City

Belize City (pop. 45,100), largest city and former capital of Belize, a country on the Caribbean coast. Though its proximity to the sea earned Belize City a reputation as a chief seaport, it also makes the city especially susceptible to hurricanes. Following a devastating hurricane in 1961 that destroyed the city, killed hundreds, and left thousands homeless, the capital was moved from Belize City inland to Belmopan, the current capital. For over 300 years, Belize City has been world renowned for its shipping of mahogany and logwood. The city also ships rosewood, cedar, coconuts, maize, bananas, and sugar. The British first settled Belize City in the 1600s. Now about 1 in 4 Belize citizens live in Belize City.