Ambergris Caye

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Ambergris Caye is the largest of more than 200 islands off the coast of Belize in Central America.

The island is about 34 kilometers long and is 56 kilometers north-east of Belize City in the Caribbean Sea. The surface area is 64 km ². The main town is San Pedro with about 12,900 inhabitants ( 2009), who live almost exclusively on tourism. Politically, Ambergris Caye Belize District belongs to the province. The island takes its name from Ambergris ( Ambra grisea, to German amber or amber ), which was washed up there in large quantities.

The first inhabitants of Ambergris Caye were Maya - the oldest traces date back to the Late Preclassic. Only in the 17th century, the first Europeans arrived on the island - mainly pirates.

In addition to Ambergris Caye Belize, the Barrier Reef runs and thus provides a good starting point for divers and snorkelers. The island is now the largest tourist center in Belize.