Bullet Tree Falls

Bullet Tree Falls
Aerial view of the main road in Bullet Tree Falls
Bullet Tree Falls
Coordinates: 17°10′05″N 89°06′40″W / 17.168°N 89.111°W / 17.168; -89.111Coordinates: 17°10′05″N 89°06′40″W / 17.168°N 89.111°W / 17.168; -89.111
Country  Belize
District Cayo District
Constituency Cayo North
Elevation 69 m (226 ft)
Population (2010)
 • Total 2,124[1]
Time zone UTC-6 (Central)
Climate Am

Bullet Tree Falls is a village located along the Mopan River in Cayo District, Belize. It lies approximately five kilometers (three miles) northwest of San Ignacio.[2][3] According to the 2010 census, Bullet Tree Falls has a population of 2,124 people in 426 households.[1] The population consists mainly of Spanish-speaking mestizos, Yucatec Maya and some Creoles.[2][3]

Government

Bullet Tree Falls is governed by a seven-person village council. As of 2016, the chairperson of the council is Guotai Wu.[4]

History

Bullet Tree Falls was originally settled by loggers, and by the late 1800s had attracted a small number of Maya families.[2] After the Caste War of Yucatán numerous Maya refugees from the north settled in the area.[2] The first Creoles settled in Bullet Tree Falls in the 1950s, arriving from San Ignacio.[5] During the early days of the chicle and timber industries in Belize, the village was an important trading post.[6]

In 1961, Hurricane Hattie caused significant damage to the village, destroying a school building and church.[7] In 1988, the Salvador Fernandez Bridge was completed, replacing an older wooden bridge.[7] In 2008, Tropical Depression Sixteen caused severe flooding in the area, damaging many homes.[8]

Attractions

Tubing down the Mopan River is a popular tourist activity in Bullet Tree Falls.[9]

Bullet Tree Falls has developed a small tourist economy facilitated by its location between San Ignacio and the El Pilar Maya archeological site.[2] The village hosts several lodges and a botanical garden.[9] Buses between Bullet Tree Falls and San Ignacio run several times a day and taxi service is available to San Ignacio and El Pilar.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "Belize Population and Housing Census: 2010 Country Report" (PDF). Statistical Institute of Belize. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Pridgeon, Elizabeth (19 February 2010). "Bullet Tree Falls". The Belize Times. Archived from the original on 26 May 2011.
  3. 1 2 Eltringham, Peter; Fisher, John; Stewart, Iain (2001). The Rough Guide to the Maya World: Guatemala, Belize, Southern Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador. London: Rough Guides. p. 269. ISBN 1858287421.
  4. ↑ "Village Council Election Results: Bullet Tree, Cayo District" (PDF). Elections and Boundaries Department, Government of Belize. June 12, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  5. ↑ Gordon, Andrew J. (2016). Agents of Change in Bullet Tree Falls: How a Village in Belize Responded to Influences of Globalization. Wadsworth Publishing. p. 10. ISBN 1133604498.
  6. ↑ Silva, Hector David (July 2010). Brief History of the Cayo District. SEYT. p. 74.
  7. 1 2 "History of Immaculate Conception R. C. School". Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic School. Archived from the original on 2 June 2013.
  8. ↑ Swift, Keith (October 21, 2008). "Bullet Tree Villagers Return to Wrecked Homes". 7 News Belize. Archived from the original on February 20, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 Vorhees, Mara (2008). Lonely Planet Belize: Cayo District. Lonely Planet. ASIN B002RI96MG.
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