UNESCO World Heritage Site

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in Belize, inscribed in 1996.

The coastal area of Belize is an outstanding natural system consisting of the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, offshore atolls, several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons and estuaries. The system’s seven sites illustrate the evolutionary history

The coastal area of Belize is an outstanding natural system consisting of the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, offshore atolls, several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons and estuaries. The system’s seven sites illustrate the evolutionary history of reef development and are a significant habitat for threatened species, including marine turtles, manatees and the American marine crocodile.

Country
Belize
Region
North America
Category
Natural
Inscribed
1996
UNESCO reference
764
Area
96,300 ha

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Counts are based on Zikzak's current UNESCO World Heritage dataset, sourced from UNESCO. Last updated 7 August 2026. UNESCO insights

Collections featuring Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System