| Orange Walk District | |
 | |
Location  | |
| State | Belize |
|---|---|
| Capital | Orange Walk Town |
| Surface | 4,737 km² |
| Inhabitants | 38.890 (2000 census) |
Orange Walk District is a region of Belize.
To know
The land, distinctly agricultural and centered on sugar cane, sorghum, rice, corn and vegetables, is mainly cultivated by the Mennonites.
Geographical notes
The Orange Walk District borders Mexico north along the Rio Hondo, Guatemala to the west through the rainforest, Cayo District to the south, and finally Corozal district is Belize District East.
The two main rivers in the district are the Rio Hondo, which is also part of the border with Mexico, and the New River, which has as its source the largest water basin in Belize, the New River Lagoon.
When to go
| Climate | gen | Feb | mar | apr | mag | down | Jul | needle | set | Oct | nov | dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum (° C) | 29 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 29 |
| Minimum (° C) | 18 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 19 |
| Precipitation (mm) | 80 | 40 | 40 | 50 | 100 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 180 | 180 | 100 | 80 |
The climate is a bit humid compared to Yucatán Peninsula. But the amount of rain compared to the south is relatively low. Most of the water falls during the rainy season between June and November. While the period from February to May is mostly dry.
Spoken languages
L'English it is of course the official language that is spoken by the majority of the population. In addition to the Spanish, a low dialect German Oriental (Ostniederdeutschen) is widespread among the major ethnic groups including the Mennoites.
Culture and traditions
The mennoites
The Mennonites came to Northern Belize from the USA and from Canada in 1959, after having stipulated an agreement with the local authorities that guaranteed them exemption from military service and from the payment of some tax contributions as well as a wide autonomy in the field of teaching and credit, through the establishment of schools and managed banks exclusively by elements of the community. They were looking for a promised land more in keeping with their particular religious beliefs, away from the hectic life of the American metropolises that now badly suited their spartan lifestyle. In the beginning, the community consisted of about 3,000 individuals who settled in an uninhabited area along the Hondo River. Today the Mennonites are scattered throughout the districts of Corozal, Orange Walk and Cayo, where they own numerous farms but also dairies and poultry farms. They are skilled craftsmen whose hands come out of solid wood furniture in great demand in Belize. Although they constitute a community closed to the outside world, they are respected by all for their high moral profile. Mennonites believe that the use of modern machinery, including automobiles, can affect their faith, so when touring their area it is easy to see them in horse-drawn buggies. They still speak the original dialect born in the 16th century and made up of a mixture of German is Dutch. When you venture into their villages, you are surprised to see men and women wearing traditional clothes that recall the atmosphere of old Far West movies. Little Belize is Shipyard they are villages inhabited by strictly observant Mennonites. TO Blue Creekinstead live those members of the community who have compromised with modern living: they normally use the telephone, listen to the radio and drive cars.
Territories and tourist destinations
Urban centers
- Orange Walk Town - District capital, Orange Walk is an agricultural center with a population close to 20,000. Tourists stop there for the time strictly necessary to organize the boat excursion to with local agencies Lamanai.
- Blue Creek - The only place where you can visit the homes of the Mennonites and learn about the lifestyle of those Mennonites who have compromised with the modern world.
Other destinations
- Cuello - Archaeological site built by the Maya civilization. There are the remains of an area used as a steam bath dating back to 900 BC.
- Lamanai - Archaeological site built by the Mayan civilization, located in a picturesque location on the banks of a lagoon.
- Nohmul - Pre-Columbian archaeological site located in the northern part of the district east of the Yucatán Peninsula.
How to get
By plane
Tropic Air, via Tower Hill Airport, connects this district to other national destinations and to others located in Mexico, Guatemala is Honduras.
By car
The Northern Highway connects this district to the north with Mexico and to the south col Corozal district.
By bus
Orange Walk Town it is an important terminal for national and non-national bus lines.
How to get around
By car
The Northern Highway is used for large journeys that pivot Orange Walk Town.
The New River is a navigable river.
What see
- Fauna - There are over 400 bird species recorded in this district, making Orange Walk a bird watchers paradise.
- Nature - Wetlands with lagoons in a tropical setting on one side and rainforest on the other. This habitat is a great refuge for abundant wildlife. Especially the Rio Bravo conservation area which has numerous sighting opportunities.
- Mayan ruins - It can be said with certainty that a Cuello is Lamanai there are the last refuges of classical Mayan culture. In addition, the picturesque location and accessibility by boat across the New River will amaze.
- Mennonites - In the village of Blue Creek you can get in touch with the Mennonite culture and learn about their way of life.
What to do
Nightlife is not particularly lively in this district except for Orange Walk Town. Those interested in these aspects are better off heading towards San Pedro or Belize City. Other activities that are present are:
- Hiking - Numerous excursions are offered in the Rio Bravo conservation area including wildlife viewing through the rainforest.
- Canoe - From the village of Blue Creek you can go to Rio Bravo along the border with the Mexico.
- Horse riding - In the village of Blue Creek it is possible to rent horses to explore the lands of the Mennonites.
At the table
Restaurants are usually simple with fish, chicken or meat dishes. The courses are served at good prices, especially in small towns. Marie Sharp's habanero sauce is always present on any table.
Safety
The crime rate is negligible, particularly in the smaller towns. However, you should especially keep your eyes peeled Orange Walk Town for scammers of various kinds.
These regions are populated by poisonous crocodiles and snakes, but considering that humans are not on these animals' menu, prudent behavior and appropriate clothing should ensure sufficient protection within the rainforest. The greatest danger here are mosquitoes, so you should protect yourself with specific repellent. Mosquitoes sporadically transmit dengue for which there is no specific vaccine. However, other potential diseases can be prevented.
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Orange Walk District
Commons contains images or other files on Orange Walk District
