ENGLISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES
This page is about the Great Blue Hole, a site in Belize, an English-speaking country in Central America. We will discover this famous site and explore some interesting facts about it.
Let’s start by discussing the official language in Belize.
English in Belize
Belize is unique in Central America as it is the only country where English is the official language. This makes it a convenient travel destination for English speakers who wish to explore the country’s rich natural beauty and Maya heritage.
The Great Blue Hole?
1. Discovering the Great Blue Hole
The Great Blue Hole is one of the most stunning natural wonders of the ocean. Located off the coast of Belize, a small English-speaking country in Central America, this gigantic marine sinkhole has fascinated divers, scientists, and tourists from around the world.
2. What Is the Great Blue Hole?
The Great Blue Hole is a large underwater sinkhole situated near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll that is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is circular in shape, over 300 meters (984 feet) wide and approximately 124 meters (407 feet) deep.
3. How Was It Formed?
The sinkhole was formed during several episodes of the Quaternary glaciation—a time when sea levels were much lower than today. During these periods, natural limestone caves developed above sea level. When the glaciers melted and sea levels rose, the caves were flooded, eventually collapsing and forming the sinkhole we see today.
Scientific analysis of stalactites found in the Great Blue Hole shows that its formation occurred around 153,000, 66,000, 60,000, and 15,000 years ago.
4. A World-Famous Diving Site
Today, the Great Blue Hole is one of the most famous scuba diving destinations in the world. Divers from all over come to explore its deep blue waters, unique geological formations, and marine life, including sharks, groupers, and colorful reef fish.
Interesting Facts About the Great Blue Hole
- Visible from Space: The Great Blue Hole is so massive and strikingly circular that it can be seen from space. Astronauts have even commented on its unique appearance.
- Famous Exploration: Legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau visited the site in 1971 and declared it one of the top ten scuba diving spots in the world. His expedition helped put the Great Blue Hole on the world map.
- Almost Perfectly Circular: Its nearly perfect round shape and deep blue color make it one of the most photographed natural sinkholes in the world.
- Home to Rare Species: The cave system is home to unusual marine life, including rare species of fish and giant groupers. Some parts of the deeper hole are completely devoid of oxygen, creating a unique ecosystem.
- Mysterious Deep Layers: Divers exploring its depths discovered layers of hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas that separates oxygenated and non-oxygenated water. Below this layer, life virtually disappears.
- No Currents: Unlike open-sea diving spots, the Great Blue Hole has minimal current, making it safer and more appealing to divers—though the depth still requires advanced skills.
- Part of the World’s Second-Largest Barrier Reef: The Great Blue Hole sits within the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
More about the Great Blue Hole in Belize on Wikipedia
Quiz
Choose the correct answer:
- Where is the Great Blue Hole located?
- a) Australia
- b) Belize
- c) Bahamas
- d) Brazil
- The Great Blue Hole was formed by a volcanic eruption.
- a) True
- b) False
- How wide is it?
- a) 100 meters
- b) 200 meters
- c) 300 meters
- d) 500 meters
- Which famous ocean explorer helped make the Great Blue Hole internationally known?
- a) David Attenborough
- b) Jacques Cousteau
- c) Sylvia Earle
- d) Steve Irwin
- 5. What is the official language of Belize?
- a) Spanish
- b) English
- What makes the Great Blue Hole so visible from space?
- a) Its shallow coral reef
- b) Its bright green color
- c) Its circular shape and deep blue color
- d) Its sandy coastline
- What is found in the deeper layers of the Great Blue Hole that limits marine life?
- a) Salt
- b) Sand
- c) Hydrogen sulfide
- d) Coral
2. → False (It was formed during periods of glaciation when sea levels were lower.)
3. → c) 300 meters (over 300 m / 984 ft)
4. → b) Jacques Cousteau
5. → b) English
6. → c) Its circular shape and deep blue color
7. → c) Hydrogen sulfide
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