Dangriga
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| Dangriga Town | |
|---|---|
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| Nickname(s): The Culture Capital, Griga | |
  Dangriga Town
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| Coordinates: 16°58′N 88°13′W / 16.967°N 88.217°W | |
| Country |  Belize |
| District | Stann Creek |
| Founded | 1700s |
| Government | |
| - Mayor of Dangriga | Frank Mena |
| Elevation | sea level m (0 ft) |
| Population (2005) | |
| - Total | 12,000 |
| estimated | |
| Time zone | Central (UTC-6) |
| Website | Official Dangriga Website |
Dangriga Town, 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.
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[edit] History
Dangriga was settled before 1832 by Garinagu (Black Caribs, as they were known to the British) from Honduras. For years it was the second largest population centre in the country behind Belize City, but in recent years has been surpassed by Orange Walk Town. Since the early 1980s Garífuna culture has undergone a revival, as part of which the town was renamed Dangriga, a Garífuna word meaning "standing waters".[1]
[edit] Demographics
The population is mostly a mixture of Garinagu, Kriols and Mestizos. Dangriga has a population estimate of 12,000.
[edit] Culture
Dangriga is home to the Garifuna, a cultural and ethnic group, decedents of shipwrecked slaves and native Caribs. The Garifuna have adopted the Carib language but kept their African musical and religious traditions. Dangriga is also where the Caribbean music, Punta Rock, originated and where some of Belize's folk bands can be found.
[edit] Attractions
- Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, located southwest of Dangriga.
- Mayflower Archeological Reserve, consisting of three ruins, two waterfalls and a view of Hopkins village as well as of the Caribbean Sea.
[edit] Healthcare
The city is served by Southern Regional Hospital.
[edit] Notable residents
- Arlie Petters, mathematician and astrophysicist
- Pen Cayetano, artist and musician residing in Germany
- Tamika Thomas, auditor residing in New York
- Ankush Bhatia, moving to Dangriga soon!
- Chico Ramos, Godfather of Punta Rock
- Gwen Nunez Gonzalez, Reporting from Beautiful Dangriga
- Peter "Poots Titi-man" Flores,
- Mohobub Flores, Punta Rock Artist
- Dr. Ellsworth Grant, Hemato-Oncologist – Belize Cancer Centre(Dangriga)
- Andrea"Nuku" Nunez, Represented Garifuna Culture overseas
- Russel "Chiste" Garcia, Former Area Rep and Minister of Agriculture
- Arthur Roches, Area Rep, Dangriga
- Benjamin Nicolas, World renowned painter
[edit] References
[edit] External links
Coordinates: 16°58′N 88°13′W / 16.967°N 88.217°W
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