Belmopan, city and capital of Belize, on the Belize River, about 80 km (about 50 mi) from the Gulf of Honduras (an arm of the Caribbean Sea). The protected inland site of the city, in an area where the Maya once flourished, was selected as the new capital of Belize after coastal Belize City, the former capital, was devastated by a hurricane in 1961. Construction began here in the mid-1960s, and Belmopan became the seat of government in 1970. It was officially inaugurated as the capital in 1972. Population (1997 estimate) 6,785.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Belmopan Information info
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