Country Summary
This page presents high-level information for Belize's climate zones and its seasonal cycle for mean temperature and precipitation for the latest climatology, 1991-2020. Climate zone classifications are derived from the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, which divides climates into five main climate groups divided based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. The five main groups are A (tropical), B (dry), C (temperate), D (continental), and E (polar). All climates except for those in the E group are assigned a seasonal precipitation sub-group (second letter). Climate classifications are identified by hovering your mouse over the legend. A narrative overview of Belize's country context and climate is provided following the visualizations.
Belize sits on the Yucatan Peninsula in Central America, bordered by Guatemala, Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea, and is considered a Small Island Developing State. Belize has 1,060 islands located in its jurisdiction, with some inhabited. The country is fortunate enough to hold one of the largest barrier reefs in the western hemisphere which extends almost the entire coastline of the country and acts as a natural defense against storm surges and hurricanes. The country is relatively mountainous to the south and has undulating hills to the north. Composed of hard dense limestone from the Yucatan platform, Belize rises gently from the coastline to steep elevations of the Mayan mountains of eastern Guatemala. The country’s main foreign exchange earner is the agricultural sector, which contributes 35% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with 41% of employment provided through fisheries and forestry.
Belize has developed several important climate policy frameworks over the last decade, including: National Climate Resilience Investment Plan, Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy 2014-2017 and a National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan (2015-2020). The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries & Sustainable Development is responsible for natural resources preservation, protection and improvement of the environment and is the focal point for domestic and global climate action in Belize. Belize ratified the Paris Agreement on April 22, 2016, and the associated Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC).