Belize

Belize

This small nation on the northeast coast of Central America was formerly known as British Honduras, a protectorate and later self-governing colony of the United Kingdom. The early foundations of Mayan civilization are believed to have spread here between 2500 BCE and 250 CE, thereafter following what is known as Classical Mayan Civilization. Although explored by the Spanish and declared one of her colonies, it was only after the establishment of a trade colony in the 17th century by what became known as the Baymen that the region took on foreign colonialist administration. The region was officially recognized as a colony in 1862 and would continue as such until granted nominal self-governance in 1964. Seventeen years later, in September of 1981, the country was granted full independence, although units of the British Armed Forces (British Forces Belize) would continue to remain for many years to come, officially to provide protection against possible incursion by neighboring Guatemala, with whom the country shares a border and a long-standing territorial dispute.

The Belize Defence Force (BDF) was founded in 1978, following the disbanding of two territorial units the year before, the Belize Volunteer Guard, and the Police Special Force.