| Belize Flag FLAGS - NATIONS - HISTORY - GEOGRAPHY |
The Flag of Belize - Description of the Belize Flag- As the above picture of the Belize Flag indicates the overall background is blue with narrow red stripes on the top and bottom edges
- According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Belize flag represent the following:
- Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
- Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
- The basic style shown in the picture of the Belize flag is described as Emblem - reflecting the central design of the flag pattern
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- All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
- The shape and flag ratio of the Belize flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )
- The emblem on the Belize flag pictures the Belize coat of arms
- The Meaning & History of the Belize Flag - The Belize emblem depicts a large white disk bearing the coat of arms of Belize which features a shield flanked by two woodcutters in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, encircled by a green garland
- The Mahogany tree is the National tree of Belize and is significant to the economic wealth of the country
- The National flag of Belize was adopted on September 21st 1981 upon independence from the United Kingdom (The flag is a furtherance of the earlier flag of the British Honduras at which time the two red stripes were added to the original design upon independence)
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| Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?- The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
- Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
- The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
- Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
- Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
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Belize Flag Etiquette- Belize Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
- Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Belize as follows:
- Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
- National Flag of Belize
- State Flag of Belize
- Military Flag of Belize (in order of creation date)
- Other Flag of Belize
- The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Belize Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
- The National flag of Belize should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
- The Belize flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
- A tattered or faded flag of Belize should be removed and replaced with a new flag
- Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Belize flag is always flown the correct way up
- A Flag of Belize, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
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| Belize Location: Central America, bordering
the Caribbean Sea, between
Guatemala and Mexico | | |
Belize- Land Size of Belize : 22,806 sq km
- Climate / Weather of Belize : tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
- Belize Population : 272,945 (July 2004 est.)
- Former Name(s) : British Honduras
- Belize Capital City: Belmopan
- Belize GDP: $1.28 billion (2002 est.)
- Main Industries : garment production, food processing, tourism, construction
- Agricultural products : bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber
- Belize Currency : Belizean dollar (BZD)
- Main Colors of the Belize Flag : blue and red
- Commonly mis-spelt as Belise
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Flag History & Evolution: - The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
- Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
- Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
- An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
- The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born
- These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
- The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
- The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a flag
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South America - Concise History of the Mesoamerican civilisations- Mesoamericans were the ancient civilisations of South America which is now divided into 12 independent countries consisting of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela
- The diverse civilizations of ancient Mesoamerica included the Olmecs, Toltecs, Aztecs, Incas and Mayans
- 5000-1200 BC
The Ancestors of the people of South America were believed to have been nomadic Asian hunter-gatherers who crossed over the frozen Bering Strait and into North America. From there they traveled to the lands of South America and were the descendents of the great Mesoamerican civilisations and established corn cultivation, pottery and the use of stone tools
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- The Olmecs - 1200 BC- 300 AD
The Olmecs were the first true civilisation of South America and were the ancestors of the later cultures - The Mayan Civilisation - 300 - 1500's
The Mayans empire covered Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. The Mayans developed astronomy and hieroglyphic writing - The Toltec Civilisation - 900's - 1100's
The Toltecs ruled Mexico and Guatemala from the 10th to the 12th century - The Aztec Civilisation - 1100'S- 1500'S
The Aztecs' rose to power in Mexico during the 12th and 13th centuries and remained in control until the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th Century - The Inca Civilisation - 1438 - 1535
The empire of the Incas covered Peru, Bolivia, northern Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador. The amazing rise of the Incas was achieved in less than one hundred years and covered an area of nearly 400,000 square miles - The Spanish conquistadors - 1535
The later civilisations of South America abruptly ended in 1535 when the Spanish conquistadors seized control
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Concise History from 16th Century of Belize & its Flag- 1542 Spain invades and conquest occurs
- 1546 Rebellion and the Spanish are forced to leave Belize
- 1567 The Spanish re-conquest of Belize
- 1642 Belize rebellion and once again the Spanish forced to leave
- 1650's Estimated date of beginning of British settlement
- 1650 - 1800's the use of imported African slave labor
- 1810 - Overthrow of the king of Spain by Napoleon
- 1824 An estimated 2,500 slaves in Belize
- In 1838 slavery was formally abolished
- 1862 Officially declared a colony of the British Commonwealth named British Honduras
- 1973 Name changes to Belize
- 1981 Belize becomes an independent member of the Commonwealth with the Queen of England as ceremonial head of state
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| The Belize Flag and Nation We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Belize Flag and Country has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flags and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame! |
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