The Belizean culture is unlike anything else on Earth. It’s a unique blending of many different influences, ranging from the Spanish Mestizos, to the German Mennonites, and the Ancient Maya. Today, aspects of these people live on in the nation of Belize and its folktales. Here are some of the land’s most compelling legends:

Naturalist guide Miguel Choco said that with such a wealth of avian wildlife in Belize, finding birds is easy. But finding the birds you want is where experience and expertise comes in.

I want to be an Eco Kid because I want to make a positive difference in my beautiful country Belize. I strongly believe that it is young people like myself that will play an instrumental role in the future of Belize and the lessons that will be taught in this camp will lay down the foundation to equip me with the proper knowledge to make the changes.

Dark chocolate may be a pleasant and effective way of delivering important dietary components that can provide health benefits to the ever increasing numbers of people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease,” researcher Christopher Reid, PhD, professor of cardiovascular epidemiology and preventive medicine at Monash University in Australia said this week

Belize’s Barton Creek Cave has been listed as one of Nine Most beautiful and unusual cave destinations by Mother Nature Network.

“The Spring Equinox has always been a tremendously important event for the Maya of Belize, and with March 20 heralding the last Spring Equinox before the completion of one of humankind’s longest recorded cycles, the 13th Bak’tun of the Maya Long Count, the celebrations take on even greater significance,” Chaa Creek owner Lucy Fleming said as she announced the eco resort’s Spring Equinox 2012 activities today.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Hammock of the Maya.

Belize features predominantly in global, pop culture this year, like no other. In case you have been able to avoid the 2012 meme over recent years, what makes this year so special for Central American countries, like Belize and neighboring Mexico, is a cosmic prophecy foretold by the ancient Mayans.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Maya Harp. The Maya Harp is beautifully hand crafted and was an integral part of the Maya society since it was used for religious and healing ceremonies and for cultural and entertainment purposes.

A chultun is a subterranean chamber carved by the ancient Maya, out of the soft limestone bedrock, that has a narrow cylindrical opening. Chultuns can be vastly found in Central America, primarily in locations near Maya archaeological temple sites.

The year 2012 has spurred interest in the Maya people and the outlook toward this enigmatic civilization grows each day as we approach the winter solstice of 2012. In the Maya Heartland of Belize, the Maya are very much in our presence and we honor their hard work and dedication in contributing to Belize’s rich heritage.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Brazilian Red Cloak and it is scientifically known as Megaskepasma erythorochlamys. The ‘Brazilian Cloak’ is a herbaceous shrub that is very showy and fast growing. Being an exhibition of beautiful red/scarlet terminal flowers, this plant never fails to thrill its viewers.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Trumpet Tree and its scientific name is Cecropia peltata. It is a tropical, fast growing tree, with a tall ungainly open habitat of growth, which is widely abundant in the tropical rainforest. The local name, Trumpet Tree, comes from a tradition of the Ancient Maya who used the stems to make ceremonial trumpets.

The Barton Creek Cave Site is best known as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Cayo District, Belize. The cave’s large riverine passage and pristine formations are just two of the reasons why this site is appealing to both local and foreign visitors. Beside its natural beauty, the site is made even more interesting by the presence of a wide range of cultural remains that were deposited within the cave by the ancient Maya.

Today’s Belize Photo of the day is the Century Plant and its scientifically known as the Agave Americana. The Century Plant is originally from Mexico but is cultivated as an ornamental plant globally. It has been naturalized in many regions and grows wild in Europe, South America, India, and Australia.

As predicted, so-called experts, pundits and armchair archaeologists are now coming out of the woodwork to make the most of the 2012 phenomenon. Some of it is well intentioned, some of it is blather, and frankly some of it falls under the category of, “I blog, therefore I exist”.

Yesterday December 21st 2011 was winter solstice – the shortest day of the year and at Chaa Creek it was celebrated with a full day of Maya cultural presentations, workshops, and traditional Maya feastings to commemorate the long awaited and much debated Maya Winter Solstice of 2012.

I’M LUCKY. I have the best job in the world and it comes with offices scattered all over Belize. Best of all, you get to come along. One of my offices sits 140 feet in the sky at Ox Witz Ha (Place of Three Hills) and was built by some of the oldest construction workers in the world, the ancient Maya. I am on the top of Caana (Sky Palace) in the Maya city now known as Caracol.

What sustained the great, expanding populations of the ancient Maya in their seemingly inhospitable tropical environment? Recent pioneering work in Belize and Guatemala is introducing a remarkable new paradigm and setting a standard of sustainability for future generations.

Imagine the scene. The stands are packed. The crowd is glued to every move made on the court. Elite athletes focused. A ball hurtles toward the dirt, your hero dives for it, deflecting the heavy rubber ball with his shoulder. His opponent springs into the air, and the ball comes right back. Again he dives. The ball slams into his hip. He grunts at the heavy thud of the ball against his skin. He twists and wriggles in the air, defying gravity. You watch. mezmorized as the ball sails over the opponent’s head, out of reach. The crowd erupts. Score!