San Ignacio (town)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coordinates: 17°9′36.45″N 89°3′35.99″W / 17.160125°N 89.0599972°W
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2008) |
| San Ignacio Town | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s): Cayo | |
  San Ignacio Town
|
|
| Coordinates: 17°9′36.45″N 89°3′35.99″W / 17.160125°N 89.0599972°W | |
| Country |  Belize |
| District | Cayo |
| Founded | 1800s |
| Government | |
| - Mayor of San Ignacio | John August Jr. |
| Elevation | 76 m (249 ft) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 16,400 |
| estimated | |
| Time zone | Central (UTC-6) |
| Website | sanignaciotown.com[1] |
San Ignacio is a town in western Belize that serves as the capital of Cayo District.
Contents |
[edit] Location and geographic setting
San Ignacio is situated on the banks of the Macal River, and the Mopan River, about 72 miles (115 kilometres) west of Belize City and 22 miles (35 km) west of the country's capital, Belmopan.
[edit] Santa Elena
In recent years San Ignacio has absorbed the formerly separate village of Santa Elena. San Ignacio and sister-town, Santa Elena make up Belize's second largest urban area. The two towns are separated by the Macal River and Belize's only suspension bridge, the one-lane Hawksworth Bridge, built in 1949.[1] The two are collectively referred to as the "Twin Towns" although San Ignacio has a larger population.
[edit] Demographics
The population is largely Mestizo and Kriol, with some Lebanese and Mopan. San Ignacio also boasts a fairly large Chinese population, most of whom emigrated from Guangzhou in waves in the mid-20th century. A sizable Mennonite community resides near San Ignacio. According to the 2000 census, the combined population was 16,400 people.
[edit] Government
San Ignacio is currently governed by a Town Council affiliated with the United Democratic Party (UDP). The mayor is John August Jr.
[edit] Educational institutions
San Ignacio has three main colleges. Sacred Heart College of Catholic denomination is the biggest and largest institution with both a high school and a junior college division. Eden Seventh Day Adventist High School and Saint Ignatius High School (Catholic) is also found here. Galen University opened its doors a couple years of ago and is located at Central Farm, a couple of minutes away from San Ignacio. The city is served by the San Ignacio Hospital.
[edit] Attractions
The area around San Ignacio is one of the most popular parts of the country for tourism. Nearby attractions include the ancient Maya ruins of Caracol, Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, El Pilar, Tikal (Guatemala). the cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, and the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
 |
This article about the geography of Belize is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
