Belize is a country on the eastern coast of Central America, with Caribbean Sea shorelines to the east and dense jungle to the west. Offshore, the massive Belize Barrier Reef, dotted with hundreds of low-lying islands called “Cayes”, host rich marine life. Belize’s jungle areas are home to Mayan ruins like Caracol, renowned for its towering pyramid; lagoon-side Lamanai; and Altun Ha, just outside Belize City.

The Maya Civilization spread into the area of Belize between 1500 B.C. and 300 A.D. and flourished until about 1200. European settlement began in 1638 and the period was marked by Spain and Britain both laying claim to the land until Britain defeated the Spanish in the Battle of St. George's Caye (1798). The nation became a British colony in 1840, known as British Honduras, and a Crown Colony in 1862. On 21 September 1981, Belize gained independence from the United Kingdom.

Belize has a small, mostly private enterprise economy that is based on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising. Tourism and construction has gained importance recently. The Belize dollar is the official currency in Belize. It is divided into 100 cents.

Today we are looking at a 10 Dollars banknote issued in 1976. The obverse has HM Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait on right and the official Coat Of Arms on left. The reverse has the legend “Government of Belize” written within geometric patterned design.

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