The recent emphasis on ecotourism in Belize facilitated my study of the people and natural heritage of this interesting and deserving country. Belize has a variety of rich ecosystems ranging from mountains, to savannas, pine ridges, seasonal wet evergreen forests, rivers, and the world's second largest coral reef. During the colonial period, most of the country's logwood trees were harvested for purple dye. Mahogany trees were removed in great numbers and the country was exploited for its natural resources. The watershed systems of Belize go through several habitat changes from mountaintops to the sea.
Many rivers begin in the Pine Ridge region of the Mayan Mountains.
The Rio On River flows over rocks forming waterfalls and large pools. Atop a mountain in a far off area is the Mayan ruin called Caracol, which contains the tallest building in the entire country. I think this site is the most impressive and breathtaking ruin in Belize because it is a massive, basically unexcavated city hidden by the jungle. There are numerous living cave systems in Belize. Eroded limestone and acidic water form a biological soup causing caves and sink holes.