Belize District

Belize District functions as the keystone territory of a small-country economy: containing Belize City—the largest settlement and former capital—it concentrates commerce, industry, and government services despite the capital's relocation to Belmopan. The district processes much of the tourism flow that generates 46% of national GDP, as cruise ships dock here and visitors disperse to other districts.

The economic logic follows path dependence. When British Honduras became Belize in 1981, Belize City's infrastructure was already built. Moving the capital inland to Belmopan in 1970 (after Hurricane Hattie destroyed much of the city in 1961) didn't move the economy. Commerce clusters where ports are; ports exist where channels were dredged; channels were dredged where the British landed. The 2024 Q4 surge in accommodation and food services (up 32%) concentrated heavily in this district's hotels and restaurants.

But centrality has costs. Tropical Storm Sara's November 2024 floods devastated both Belize and Cayo Districts. Climate vulnerability concentrates where development concentrates. The district's source-sink relationship with the nation—drawing workers, capital, and tourists—also draws weather-related risk. In a country where 3.5% GDP growth depends on sectors exposed to hurricanes, Belize District's dominance is both asset and liability.