Belize << buh LEEZ >> City, (pop. 65,000), is the largest city in Belize. It lies on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of a branch of the Belize River. Belize City served as the capital of Belize until 1970, when Belmopan became the capital. Belize City is a center for the fishing industry, government, shipping, and tourism. The city ships lumber, coconuts, bananas, oranges, sugar, and lobsters. About one out of six people in Belize lives in Belize City. The British settled Belize City in the 1600’s. They came to the area to get lumber. In 1931 and 1961, severe hurricanes destroyed most of Belize City. They killed more than 1,300 people. See also Belmopan .
