Stann Creek District
Encyclopedia
Stann Creek District is a district
in the south east region of Belize
. According to the 2010 census, the district had a population
of 32,166 people. Its capital is the city of Dangriga
, formerly known as "Stann Creek Town." Stann comes from "stanns," or safe havens used by colonialists coming from the "old world" to the "new world."
(the main port of Belize's banana
industry), the peninsula and village of Placencia
(a popular tourist
resort), the villages of Alta Vista, Commerce Bight, Dancing Pool, Georgetown, Guana Church Bank, High Sand, Independence and Mango Creek
, Kendal, Lagarto Bank, Maya Mopan, Middle Bank, Middlesex, Mullins River
, New Home, Pomona, Quarry Hill, Rancho Grande, Red Bank, Regalia, Sarawee, Silver Creek Camp, Silk Grass, San Roman, Sittee and the Garifuna village of Hopkins
on the Sittee River
.
. They are Dangriga, which contains the town proper and two villages (including Hope Creek and Sarawee) and the offshore islands (cayes), and Stann Creek West, which contains most of the remaining villages including, Placencia and Independence.
and the Southern Highway
, connecting to Belize City
by way of the Western Highway
at Belmopan
.
where the south fork of Stann Creek
rises. Within the preserve is Victoria Peak
, the highest point in Belize, at 1120 meters (3,675 feet) above sea level. The ethnic Garifuna village of Hopkins has recently undergone a huge transformation due to the growing tourism industry. The Garifuna are direct descendants of a group of African slaves who escaped two ship-wrecked Spanish slave ships near St. Vincent in 1635. They celebrate a diverse and rich culture that is a blend of African traditions of music, dance and religious ceremonies; Native American farming, hunting, and fishing techniques; and a French and Arawak influenced language.
Districts of Belize
Belize is divided into 6 districts. The districts are listed below, with the capital city and some statistics:-List:-Largest cities and towns by population:Based on 2005 estimate:#Belize City, BZ 70,800#Orange Walk, OW 17,300#San Ignacio, CY 16,800...
in the south east region of Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
. According to the 2010 census, the district had a population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 32,166 people. Its capital is the city of Dangriga
Dangriga
Dangriga, formerly known as Stann Creek Town, is a town in southern Belize, located on the Caribbean coast at the mouth of Stann Creek. It is the capital of Belize's Stann Creek District and also the largest town in southern Belize...
, formerly known as "Stann Creek Town." Stann comes from "stanns," or safe havens used by colonialists coming from the "old world" to the "new world."
Geography
Located within the district are the port of Big CreekBig Creek, Belize
Big Creek is a sea port facility in Belize. Big Creek is a deep-water port on the Caribbean Sea in Belize's Toledo District , constructed in the 1990s. It is the nation's second most important port, after Belize City. Big Creek is the main port for Belize's banana industry; citrus fruit and shrimp...
(the main port of Belize's banana
Banana
Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa and for the fruit they produce. Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors when ripe, including yellow, purple, and red....
industry), the peninsula and village of Placencia
Placencia
Placencia is a small town located in the Stann Creek District of Belize. It is the most southern town on the largest peninsula of the Gulf of Mexico.-History:...
(a popular tourist
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
resort), the villages of Alta Vista, Commerce Bight, Dancing Pool, Georgetown, Guana Church Bank, High Sand, Independence and Mango Creek
Independence and Mango Creek
Independence and Mango Creek are adjacent villages in the Stann Creek District of Belize. For the purposes of the census, they are counted as one community. In 2000, Independence and Mango Creek had a combined population of 2,929 people. It is a relatively large village compared to its surrounding...
, Kendal, Lagarto Bank, Maya Mopan, Middle Bank, Middlesex, Mullins River
Mullins River
Mullins River is the name of both a river and of a village on that river in the Stann Creek District of Belize.The Village of Mullins River is located at the mouth of the river of the same name on the coast of the Caribbean Sea, north of Dangriga. At the time of the 1904 census Mullins River had a...
, New Home, Pomona, Quarry Hill, Rancho Grande, Red Bank, Regalia, Sarawee, Silver Creek Camp, Silk Grass, San Roman, Sittee and the Garifuna village of Hopkins
Hopkins, Belize
Hopkins is a coastal town in eastern Belize.Hopkins is a Garifuna village on the coast of the Stann Creek District in Belize. Hopkins is considered by some Belizeans to be the cultural center of the Garifuna population in Belize...
on the Sittee River
Sittee River
The Sittee River is a river in Belize.Located in central Belize, the mangroves located at the mouth of this river are the tallest ever reported for the Caribbean region and among the tallest anywhere in the entire Neotropics. The mouth of the Sittee River represents the optimal conditions for...
.
Political divisions
The district is split into two constituenciesConstituencies of Belize
||Belize's 6 districts are politically divided into 31 constituencies. Each constituency sends one representative to Belize's House of Representatives for 5-year terms. This election is known as the General Election. Each person votes for the candidate they would want to represent their...
. They are Dangriga, which contains the town proper and two villages (including Hope Creek and Sarawee) and the offshore islands (cayes), and Stann Creek West, which contains most of the remaining villages including, Placencia and Independence.
Transportation
The district is served by the Hummingbird HighwayHummingbird Highway
The Hummingbird Highway is one of the four major highways in Belize. It connects the Western Highway outside of Belmopan, Cayo District with the Southern Highway outside of Dangriga, Stann Creek District. It partially follows, and sometimes uses the infrastructure of, the former Stann Creek Railway...
and the Southern Highway
Southern Highway
In Belize, the Southern Highway takes up where the Hummingbird Highway ends and runs from Dangriga to Punta Gorda. It is entirely paved, with the completion of a 10-mile segment between Golden Stream and Big Falls circa 2007-08. The Southern Highway provides important access to a number of Mayan...
, connecting to Belize City
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize. Unofficial estimates place the population of Belize City at 70,000 or more. It is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean. The city is the country's principal port and its financial and...
by way of the Western Highway
Western Highway, Belize
The Western Highway is one of four main highways in Belize. It originates in Belize City, runs west through Hattieville, Belize Zoo, the capital city of Belmopan , San Ignacio Cayo, San José Succotz and terminates at the Guatemalan border at Benque Viejo...
at Belmopan
Belmopan
Belmopan , estimated population 20,000 is the capital city of Belize.Belmopan is located at , at an altitude of 76 metres above sea level. Belmopan was constructed just to the east of Belize River, inland from the former capital, the port of Belize City, after that city's near destruction by...
.
Attractions
The Stann Creek District is also home to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife SanctuaryCockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is a nature reserve in south-central Belize established to protect the forests, fauna and watersheds of an approximately 400 square kilometre area of the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains...
where the south fork of Stann Creek
Stann Creek
Stann Creek is a watercourse in southeastern Belize. The administrative division, Stann Creek District, is named after the river. South Stann Creek rises in the foothills of the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains within the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary; the South Stann Creek drains the...
rises. Within the preserve is Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak (Belize)
Victoria Peak within the Maya Mountains is the second highest mountain in Belize. The highest peak in the country, Doyle's Delight at a height of , is located SW of Victoria Peak...
, the highest point in Belize, at 1120 meters (3,675 feet) above sea level. The ethnic Garifuna village of Hopkins has recently undergone a huge transformation due to the growing tourism industry. The Garifuna are direct descendants of a group of African slaves who escaped two ship-wrecked Spanish slave ships near St. Vincent in 1635. They celebrate a diverse and rich culture that is a blend of African traditions of music, dance and religious ceremonies; Native American farming, hunting, and fishing techniques; and a French and Arawak influenced language.