Our History

Belmopan City History

1961

Catastrophic Hurricane

After Hurricane Hattie destroyed around 75% of the houses in the coast of the then capital, Belize City, the Government proposed the building of a new capital, located on better terrain and far enough inland to avoid a recurrence of disastrous flooding.

1962

Best Possible Locations?

A committee choose the site now known as Belmopan, which would be 82 Kilometers (51 miles) southeast of the capital of Belize City.
Belmopan is 76 metres (250 ft.) above sea level, near the Belize River
Valley, with an imposing view of the majestic Mountain Pine Ridge
mountains.

1964

The Father of Our Nation

Premiere George Cadle Price led a delegation to London to seek
funds to finance the new capital, and three years later (1967) works began to construct the new city.

1970

Getting There...

The first phase of the new city was completed. From the year 1970-2000 Belmopan was governed by the Reconstruction and Development
Corporation (RECONDEV) which answered to the government.

2000

The City That Is...

Residents voted in a referendum (1999) to switch to direct election of a City Council. Belmopan was incorporated as a city (2000) & held its first City Council
election. Anthony Chanona became the first Mayor of the City of
Belmopan.