Cayo District

Cayo is one of six provinces ( districts ) of the Central American state of Belize and is located in the west of the country on the border with Guatemala. The Cayo province has an area of ​​5,196 square kilometers with a population of approximately 69,000 (calculated 2006).

The provincial capital is San Ignacio. In Cayo is also the capital of Belize: Belmopan. Other cities and towns are Benque Viejo del Carmen, Cayo San Antonio, Valley of Peace, St. Margaret 's, Roaring Creek, Albaina and Spanish Lookout.

Transport links

The two main roads of the district are from the east (Belize City) to west ( border with Guatemala) running Western Highway and the Hummingbird Highway, which runs from Belmopan to the south. It ends in the Stann Creek District at the junction of Coastal Road with the Southern Highway.

Economy

The province is dominated by agriculture - the main crops include oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and bananas. Gaining in importance of tourism.

Mayan ruins

In Cayo are the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, El Pilar, and Caracol.

National Parks

In the Cayo District are two national parks in the vicinity of the City of Belmopan. Both protected areas are managed by the Belize Audubon Society.

• Blue Hole National Park. The Blue Hole National Park (2 km ² ) on the Hummingbird Highway has two cave systems, as well as a deep blue water hole, which gave the name to the park.
• Guanacaste National Park. The Guanacaste National Park north of the Western Highway on the outskirts of Belmopans is one of the most visited parks in Belize. It takes its name from a Guanacastebaum, whose tribe is divided into three parts.