It was at this time that the Paleo-Indians settled in Belize. The Paleo-Indians were the first peoples to penetrate and then inhabit the Americas during the last glacial episodes at the end of the Pleistocene.

The Maya civilization spread towards Belize around 1500 BC from Mexico and Guatemala, and took around 300 years to cover the country's present-day area

This period saw the establishment of the first Maya institutions and the construction of the first villages, such as Cuello and Cahal Pech, whose construction is estimated to have begun in 1200 BC. The first Maya settlements at Lamanai are estimated at 1500 BC, and Lamanai would become one of the most important Maya cities of the pre-Classical period.

During the Altun Ha Xunantunich - the Golden Age of Maya civilization - agriculture flourished, enabling the civilization to reach its peak with a population of 2 million. Cities grew in size and number, with most appearing between 440 and 660. Although this period was generally very productive for the Maya, there was a century-long "dark age" beginning in 540, during which productivity declined significantly. In the ^8th and ^9th centuries, the cities of the southern plains were gradually abandoned one by one. By 900 CE, this region of the empire was almost completely abandoned, and the classical period was coming to an end.

The decline of Mayan civilization is linked to a combination of factors as diverse as they are controversial today. Prolonged droughts and climate change in the region put great pressure on Mayan agricultural systems, leading to food shortages and a form of famine. The deforestation to which overpopulation had led certainly only aggravated the situation, which the divided political structure was unable to save. On the other hand, conflicts between Maya city-states, such as Tikal and Copán, led to a decline in their population, who eventually abandoned them to go to the front.
The precise sequence and relative importance of these factors remain subjects of ongoing research and debate among scholars. However, it is also important to recognize that Mayan culture and civilization persisted in some areas, and that Mayan descendants continue to thrive in the region today.

Christopher Columbus skirted the coast of Belize without stopping and headed straight for the Yucatan.

The first Europeans to set foot on present-day Belize were the Spaniards Vicente Yáñez Pinzón and Juan Díaz de Solís, during their explorations of the Caribbean coast of Central America in 1508 and 1509. The conquest of the vast Mexican territory hadn't even begun (the Aztec capital wouldn't fall until 1521), but the Spaniards soon abandoned an impenetrable and hostile territory, devoid above all of precious metal wealth.

The site of Tipu, located near the Belize-Guatemala border in the "Maya Mountains" near the Macal River, was an important Mayan city, far from the strategic locations occupied by the colonists, to which many Mayans flocked in order to resist the settlers, who had little control over the situation.

Although the territory of what is now Belize was at that time under the control of the Kingdom of Mexico, which depended on the Spanish crown, the English and Scots gradually settled on the country's coasts. The English founded the country's first colony in 1638 at Puerto Valliz, now Belize City. Numerous British pirates (the Baymen) frequented Belize's waters, sporadically settling on the coast, from which it was easy to target the Spanish galleons sailing along it towards Yucatan.

Despite native resistance, English settlers moved in to exploit campêche wood, from which a dye was extracted and exported to Europe and Asia. They also exploited mahogany until the ^19th century.

In 1638, the Maya rebelled against the Spanish settlers who had arrived from Guatemala, and the region was in flames until 1642. From 1638 to 1695, the Maya enjoyed a degree of autonomy at Tipu, and the site was rapidly populated.

British pirate Bartholomew Sharpe, aware of the value of "hardwood", the very resistant local wood, transformed Belize into a collection base for these forest species, the best known of which is mahogany. He thus initiated a form of forestry that continues to this day.

In 1670, the Treaty of Madrid signed between Spain and England was tantamount to a non-aggression pact: Spain recognized English possessions in the Caribbean region (West Indian islands and Central American coasts) and both powers obtained the right to travel and trade freely on their respective territories, while at the same time undertaking to combat piracy

As early as 1696, the Spaniards began launching evangelization missions from Tipu, forcing the Maya to move away from the region.

English explorers were granted logging rights, while Spain retained sovereignty over Belize.

The first African slaves were brought to Belize to help with the timber harvest. They arrived mainly from Jamaica, and were to play a major role in the country's growing logging industry. The English, who were making substantial profits from the mahogany trade, were expanding ever further into the territory, overstepping the limits set by the Spanish. Conflicts resurfaced throughout the ^17th and ^18th centuries.

It was far from Belize, near Paris, that the Treaty of Versailles was signed between the British and Spanish to define British rights to cut logs between the Hondo and Belize rivers.

Initial Spanish attempts to expel British settlers from the region failed.

The Garifuna (Garinagu), descendants of Caribbean blacks, migrate to Belize.

The Yucatan Caste War was a major conflict that took place in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, mainly during the ^19th century. This conflict was a revolt by the Mayan peoples against the economic, political and social domination imposed by the Creole and mestizo elites, who were mainly of Spanish origin. It finally ended in 1901, after many years of fighting and negotiations. The Mayas won certain concessions, including land restitution and recognition of their cultural rights.

The Yucatan Caste War is exemplary of the struggles for independence and autonomy of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. It has left a lasting legacy in the region, particularly in terms of the preservation of Mayan culture and the struggle for the rights of the region's indigenous communities.

The treaty that defined Belize's border in 1895 is known as the Mariscal-Sánchez Treaty. This treaty was signed on July 8, 1895 between the British government, which controlled Belize (then called British Honduras), and the government of Guatemala.

The Mariscal-Sánchez Treaty established the border between Belize and Guatemala, delimiting the respective territories of the two countries. This border is generally based on the Sarstoon River to the south and a straight line to the west, known as the Alcaldía Line, which largely follows the course of the Gracias à Dios River.

Belize is proclaimed a British Crown Colony under its new name, British Honduras.

The Mayan city of Caracol is one of the largest cities of the ancient Maya world, and was occupied for much of the Classical period. Caracol was an important political, economic and cultural center of the ancient Maya world, rivaling even major cities such as Tikal, located in neighboring Guatemala. Archaeological research at Caracol began in the 1930s, when British explorer A. H. Anderson visited the site. Since then, numerous excavations, studies and restorations have been carried out by archaeologists, academic institutions and research teams from Belize and elsewhere. This work has led to a better understanding of the history, culture and complexity of Caracol. Archaeological discoveries at Caracol have revealed valuable information about ancient Maya society, its political system, monumental architecture, religious practices and interaction with other Maya cities. Today, Caracol remains a major archaeological site and an important destination for visitors interested in the history and culture of the ancient Classic Maya.

Creation of the People's United Party, which would lead the way to independence.

Mennonites begin to emigrate from Canada to Belize in search of religious freedom.

George Price, a member of the People's United Party (PUP), became the first Prime Minister of Belize, and that same year the right to vote was extended to the entire population of the colony.

Hurricane Hattie hit Belize City and much of the country with such force that several hundred people died and the government decided to move the capital from Belize City to Belmopan, inland. It took about ten years, but Belmopan is still the capital of Belize today.

It wasn't until 1973 that British Honduras officially became Belize. Its name comes from the Mayan word "Balix", meaning cloudy water, referring to the color of the water in the eponymous river today.

After years of negotiations and preparations, Belize officially became an independent nation on September 21, 1981. However, the UK maintained a military presence for a few years to provide security assistance. Guatemala did not initially recognize Belize's independence and continued to assert its territorial claims. The conflict lasted for many years, even after Belize's independence. However, diplomatic efforts and international recognition eventually led to improved relations between the two countries. Since independence, Belize has been a sovereign nation with a democratic system of government. It is a member of the Commonwealth, the United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS). The country has continued to develop its economy, with an emphasis on agriculture and tourism.

The first elections are held in this independent country, and Manuel Esquivel, an opponent of Prime Minister George Price and leader of the PUP (Peoples United Party), wins them for the United Democratic Party.

George Price once again becomes Prime Minister of Belize.

Guatemala finally recognizes Belize's independence.

British troops, which had been reduced since independence but had remained to protect the country from Guatemala's expansionist ambitions, were withdrawn in 1993. The process took two years.

The 1993 elections saw the victory of the United Democratic Party, led by Manuel Esquivel, who once again became Prime Minister.

Said Musa, leader of the People's United Party, becomes prime minister and remains so for 10 years.

Dean Barrow, its leader, became prime minister and will remain so until 2020.

He'll stay in power for another 5 years.

Laws outlawing same-sex sexual relations have been ruled unconstitutional by the country's Supreme Court.

Parliament passes a law permanently protecting Belize's coral reef, the second largest in the world, from oil exploitation.

With 95% of the votes cast, the Guatemalans agreed to take the long-standing border dispute with Belize to the International Court of Justice. Belizeans also voted in favor of this solution a year later, but by a narrow margin. The decision now rests with this high authority, and will be respected by both countries. The islands on the Belize River remain a bone of contention between the two countries, who claim territoriality over them.

Belize closes its borders and implements strict sanitary protocols, allowing the country to remain largely unaffected by the pandemic. (688 deaths recorded)

The People's United Party regained power by winning the elections and John Briceño became Prime Minister, taking charge of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the number 1 issue at the time of his election.

Almost 2 years after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Belize is reopening its doors and tourism is soaring again.