Placencia

Placencia
Village
Maya Beach, Placencia
Placencia
Coordinates: 16°30′50″N 88°22′0″W / 16.51389°N 88.36667°W / 16.51389; -88.36667
Country  Belize
District Stann Creek
Constituency Stann Creek West
Elevation 11 m (36 ft)
Population (2010)
 • Total 750 (est)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central No DST)
Climate Am

Placencia is a small village located in the Stann Creek District of Belize.

History

In the 17th century, Placencia was settled by the English Puritans, originally from Nova Scotia and latterly from the island of Providencia. This settlement died out during the Central American wars of independence in the 1820s.

The Placencia Peninsula was resettled in the late 1800s by several families. Placencia prospered and soon became a village, earning its livelihood from the sea.

The Spaniards that traveled the southern coast of Belize gave Placencia its name. At that time Placencia was called Placentia, with the point being called Punta Placentia, or Pleasant Point.[1]

In the late 20th century it became a significant tourism destination, and is now referred to as Placencia Village, or simply Placencia.

On October 8, 2001, Hurricane Iris hit southern Belize with 145 mph winds causing major damage to nearly 95% of buildings in Placencia. Many developers took advantage of plummeted real estate value and an increased development of the peninsula and Placencia proper is consistently on the rise, as well as property value.[2]

Location and geographic setting

The eastern side of the Peninsula is a long expanse of white sand beach and heavy mangrove in some areas; the western side is bounded by a long narrow north-south trending bay of the Caribbean Sea. Significant settlements on the 18 mile peninsula from North to South include Riversdale Village, Maya Beach Village, the Garifuna village of Seine Bight and finally, Placencia Village.[3] Placencia, the southern-most village on the peninsula, is served by Placencia Airport.[4]

Demographics

The village is home to 1,512 permanent residents according to the 2010 census, while the Placencia Peninsula is home to 3,458 permanent residents, which includes citizens and ex-pats alike.[5]

Attractions

  • Mayflower Archaeological Reserve, 3 post-classic Maya ruins: Mayflower, T'au Witz and Maintzunun) and waterfalls.
  • Bladen River Reserve[6]
  • Maya Beach Village is a tiny community on the Placencia Peninsula, midway between Placencia Village to the south and Riversdale Village to the north. The closest village is Seine Bight, a historic Garifuna settlement. Approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long, the Maya Beach area is made up of homes, small resorts and a few retail establishments including two small grocery stores, a half-dozen bars & restaurants, and an art gallery.
  • Ranguana Caye is a 2-acre private island 18 miles off the coast of Placencia and a major day-trip and overnight for those staying in the village and peninsula.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Placencia History". Placencia Tourism Center. 2008. Archived from the original on 2009-03-06. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
  2. ↑ consejo.bz/weather/storms.html
  3. ↑ http://www.placencia.com/location/
  4. ↑ http://www.placencia.com/getting-to-placencia/
  5. ↑ http://www.placencia.com/population/
  6. ↑ "Belize Discover - Placencia". New World Hotels Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-04-11. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
  7. ↑ http://www.sanpedroscoop.com/2014/07/placencia-southern-cayes-ranguana-roberts-grove.html
  1. village activities

Placencia Village Guide

See also

Coordinates: 16°30′50″N 88°22′00″W / 16.51389°N 88.36667°W / 16.51389; -88.36667

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