Belize is the only country in Central America with English as the official language. The small country, measuring 180 miles long and 68 miles wide, is a popular vacation destination for tourists whose native language is English. But Belize is good for much more than just lounging in white sand while watching the shimmering teal waves roll in and out while drinks, ordered in English, are replenished. Behind the luxurious resorts and relaxing vacation packages, Belize is an adventure destination.

Belize is the heartland of the Maya civilisation, and this legacy takes on even greater significance with the approach of the Winter Solstice of 2012 – an event of almost indescribable importance to the Maya and a time for major celebrations, activities and events throughout Belize.

Today’s Belize Photo of the day is the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl which is scientifically known as the Glaucidium Brasilianum. This small owl ranges from 7 inches (18cm) in size and breeds in South-central USA, Mexico, and Central America (Belize of course) and takes residence in parts of South America. It can be found in mid-levels to sub canopy within deciduous and semi-deciduous broad leaf forests.

CNN’s recent acknowledgment of the “World of the Maya” as one of the top nine travel destinations for 2012 is one more indication that Belize’s year of the Maya 2012 celebrations are set to be a big hit with international visitors, Belize’s premier eco resort Chaa Creek reports.

Last year a couple friends of mine took my advice to get married in Belize and absolutely positively loved it, as you do. OK, I’m somewhat partial, having been married there myself, and now with other people asking, I thought I’d put down ten reasons why a Belize Wedding is my idea of nuptial nirvana.

“To be recognised by National Geographic as one of the top ten destinations in the entire world, well, that pretty much says it all,” Chaa Creek owner and GM Lucy Fleming said. “As lifelong travellers and having been in adventure travel for over three decades, we naturally recognise National Geographic as the world’s top travel authority. To be recognised by an organisation and publication we hold in such high esteem is truly an honour.”

With a special twist, the wildlife of Belize is once again under the spot light with the latest mention by LonelyPlanet.com

Lonely Planet notes that Belize’s animal and plant life are the stars of the country, thanks to the conservation of its forests and reefs.

The Maya Empire, centered in the tropical lowlands of what is now Guatemala, reached the peak of its power and influence around the sixth century A.D. The Maya excelled at agriculture, pottery, hieroglyph writing, calendar-making and mathematics, and left behind an astonishing amount of impressive architecture and symbolic artwork. Most of the great stone cities of the Maya were abandoned by A.D. 900, however, and since the 19th century scholars have debated what might have caused this dramatic decline.

“Walking in a winter wonderland…” That old song always conjures up memories, and for those of us born in northern climes, those memories invoke white pastoral scenes, snow laden fir trees, roaring fireplaces, red cheeks, mittens, even the odd sled or two with tinkling bells. Whether it was Peggy Lee or Dean Martin singing, the song never failed to stir something inside.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek in the Cayo District of Belize has some pretty awesome horse stables. We went riding with them on a guided trail ride tour with an awesome guide who showed us everything from local wildlife to trees and fruit. We rode to an unexcavated Maya site on top of a hill overlooking the beautiful rainforest sourrounding Chaa Creek.

Members of the tourism industry of Belize will be sponsoring a live chat on twitter today, December 2nd at 3 PM Eastern or 2PM Belize time. Use the hash tag #VisitBelize to learn more about our beautiful country and to ask questions you may have about traveling here.

Today is a very important holiday in Belize as the entire country takes time out to celebrate one of the most defining moments in our nation’s history – the arrival of the Garifuna people, or Garinagu, to the shores of Belize.

The Maya have over centuries faced encroachment on many fronts – their land, culture, spirituality, you name it. And, with world attention on all things Maya increasing in the leadup to the long awaited Winter Solsitce of December 21 2012, the preservation and respect for this august culture will become even more important. So it is with great happiness that we can report a victory while updating that sorry saga of Kellogg v the Maya.

The Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, also known the Belize International Airport is the busiest airport in the country. It was named after an influent politician who died back in 2001 and represents the main access point to the Belize for the several hundred thousand tourists who visit this beautiful Central American country each year.

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.

Andrew Zimmern: Chef, Writer, Traveler and TV Host of Bizarre Foods and Bizarre Worlds on The Travel Channel recently tweeted out that he loves Belize.

When Lonely Planet highlights a destination, it definitely becomes less lonely, but not to worry – the Belize leg of La Ruta Maya remains one of the most uncrowded, laid back and friendliest ways to explore the heartland of the fascinating ancient Maya civilisation.

The Belize Tourism Board is proud to announce its newest venture: FACEBOOK BELIZE. This November, in an effort to augment posting and comments on our Belize Vacation Facebook page, the BTB has been working harder than ever to find ways of engaging travelers to share their experiences at all points of their vacation. Travelers, who are heading home from a Belize vacation experience, now have the opportunity to post their experiences from a total of three internet stations that are located in the departure area of the Philip Goldson International Airport at Gates 1, 3 and 4. As is customary, most travelers are subjected to a layover time in the departure lounge and it is our hope that our visitors can utilize these stations to comment on their vacation in Belize prior to their departure.

The promise of a lighter footprint is everywhere, from luxury resorts (constructed from recycled materials) to Third World guest houses (running on renewable energy), from international airlines (issuing paperless tickets and testing more sustainable fuels) to overland journeys (aboard biodiesel buses). Even A-list celebs are getting in on the game. Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Gore and Bono all sing the praises of low-impact travel.

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!