Belize River

Overlooking the Belize River

Template: Infobox River / Obsolete

The Belize River (Spanish Río Belice ) is a 290 km long river in Belize that drains more than one-quarter of the country. The Belize flows along the north side of the Maya Mountains through the center of the country of Belize near Belize City and empties into the Caribbean Sea. In the catchment area of the rivers Belize River and the Mopan River live about 45 percent of the population of Belize. The also " Old River " Belize is called up to the border with Guatemala navigable and served well into the 20th century as the main artery for trade and communication between the coast and the interior.

The Belize River begins at the confluence of the Mopan River and Macal River east of San Ignacio and flows through the largely covered by tropical rainforest Belize River Valley. The river has long served the forestry sector, especially the reduction of mahogany.

The Belize River is an important source of drinking water for the people living on its shores people. The water quality is limited by sediment, pesticides and other pollutants. Main reason for the deterioration is the massive deforestation in the upper regions of the Mopan River and the non- sustainable agriculture. Run by local residents slash and burn to gain land for cultivation, contributes to the deterioration of water.

• River in Belize
• River in Central America
• Water system, Caribbean Sea