Orange Walk Town

Orange Walk Town
Main square, Orange Walk Town, Belize
Orange Walk Town Map of Orange Walk metropolitan area
Coordinates: 18°4′30″N 88°33′30″W / 18.075°N 88.55833°W / 18.075; -88.55833
Country	Belize
District	Orange Walk
Government
- Mayor	Phillip de la Fuente
Elevation	sea level m (0 ft)
Population (20101)
- Total	13,400
	Official 2010 Population and Housing Census
Time zone	Central (UTC-6)

Orange Walk Town is the second largest town in the nation of Belize, with a population of about 13,400 (Official Release of the Main Findings of the 2010 Population and Housing Census). It is the capital of the Orange Walk District. Orange Walk Town is located on the left bank of the New River, 53 miles north of Belize City and 30 miles (50 km) south of Corozal Town.

History

In the days of the Mayas, the area was known as Holpatin. The district is home to the biggest Mayan temple of the pre-classic period. The Mayas of the area came in contact with the Europeans in the 1530s, after which the two groups fought over land. In 1848, there was a massive influx of Maya and Mestizos from Mexico, fleeing the Caste War of Yucatán (1847–1901). This caused a rapid growth of population.

With the Mestizos came their many traditions that today abound in the region. One such thing that they brought was the sugar cane, which in the years to come became the basis of Belize's leading industry. Today, this industry continues to thrive in the region, and Orange Walk Town is nicknamed "Sugar City". The local Tower Hill Sugar Factory (Belize Sugar Industries) handles all of the country's sugar cane output. The farming of other crops, and tourism, also play a role in the economy.

Orange Walk town park

Orange Walk town along the highway

Ethnicities

The region is highly populated by Mestizos, Kriols, Mennonites, Chinese, Taiwanese, Indians, and other people from Central America.

Population and Housing

2010 Population and Housing Census has Orange Walk town's total population as 13,400 residents,of this 6,642 are males and 6,758 are females. The total number of households is 3,361 and the average household size is 4.0.

External links

• Orange Walk Town travel guide from Wikitravel
• Orange Walk, Belize

Coordinates: 18°04′30″N 88°33′30″W / 18.075°N 88.55833°W / 18.075; -88.55833