Belize has a high level of terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity. It is home to more than 150 species of mammals, 540 of birds, 150 of amphibians and reptiles, nearly 600 species of freshwater and marine fish and 3,408 species of vascular plants.

The country contains a vast array of ecosystems, many of which are critical habitats for threatened and endangered species.

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, stretching the full length of the country’s coastline, is the largest unbroken coral reef complex in the Western hemisphere. In Belize, the reef’s rich diversity of corals and other marine life has qualified it to be designated a World Heritage Site, in recognition of its consequent global importance.

Much of the mainland of Belize forms part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, which comprises a network of protected areas linked by biological corridors, stretching from Mexico to Panamá.

Flora

The flora of Belize is highly diverse by regional standards, given the country’s small geographical extent. Situated on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America the flora and vegetation have been intimately intertwined with Belize’s history.

The nation itself grew out of British timber extraction activities from the 17th century onwards, at first for logwood (Haematoxylum campechianum) and later for mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), fondly called “red gold” because of its high cost and was much sought after by European aristocracy.

Central America generally is thought to have gained much of it characteristic flora during the “Great American interchange” during which time South American elements migrated north after the geological closure of the isthmus of Panama. However, few Amazonian elements penetrate as far north as Belize and in species composition the forests of Belize are most similar to the forests of the Peten (Guatemala) and the Yucatán (Mexico).

Fauna

Belize is a country with a rich variety of wildlife, due to its unique position between North and South America, and a wide range of climates and habitats for plant and animal life.

Belize’s low human population, and appromxiately 8,867 square miles (22,970 km2) of undistributed land, provides an ideal home for more than 5000 species of plants, and hundreds of species of animals — including armadillos, snakes, and monkeys.

Belize has two large, unified, blocks of intact virgin rainforest that are likely to be the last strongholds for species that require large, undisturbed areas for their long-term survival, such as the jaguar.

The number of species endemic to Belize is low, since Belize is a small country and does not have many habitats that are unique. Most of the few endemics are found in the Maya Mountains and in the lowland savannas of Belize.