Orange Walk Town

Orange Walk Town
Town
Orange Walk Town
Nickname(s): Sugar City
Orange Walk Town
Map of Orange Walk metropolitan area
Coordinates: 18°04′30″N 88°33′30″W / 18.075°N 88.558333333333°W / 18.075; -88.558333333333Coordinates: 18°04′30″N 88°33′30″W / 18.075°N 88.558333333333°W / 18.075; -88.558333333333
Country  Belize
District Orange Walk
Government
 • Mayor Kevin Bernard (PUP)
Elevation 33 m (108 ft)
Population (2010)[1]
 • Total 13,708
 • Estimate (2016)[2] 13,683
Demonym(s) Orange Walkeño(a)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central)
Climate Aw
Website orangewalk.com

Orange Walk Town is the fourth 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 (85 km) north of Belize City and 30 miles (48 km) south of Corozal Town.

History

In the days of the Maya civilization, the area was known as Holpatin. The district is home to the biggest Maya temple of the pre-classic period. The Maya 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 Maya and 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 Sugar Cane Processing Plant

Ethnicities

The region is highly populated by Mestizos, Yucatec Mayas, Kriols, Mennonites, Chinese, Taiwanese, Indians, and other people from Central America. There is a large Catholic presence.

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.

Transportation

The locality is served by the Orange Walk Airport (IATA: ORZ). Local bus service to and from Belize City to the south and Corozal City to the north operates approximately every half-hour.

Health care

The town is served by the Northern Regional Hospital, formerly called the Orange Walk Hospital.

References

  1. ↑ "Belize Population and Housing Census 2010" (PDF). Statistical Institute of Belize. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  2. ↑ "Mid-Year Population Estimates by Area and Sex 2008 - 2015". Statistical Institute of Belize. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
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