The Gulf of Honduras

The Gulf of Honduras is a large inlet of the Caribbean Sea. It flows and depresses (or indents) into the coasts of Honduras (in the north), Guatemala (in the east), and Belize (in the south). It is 200 kilometers long from Dangringa in Belize to La Ceiba in Honduras.

The inner portion of the Gulf of Honduras contains the Belize Barrier Reef. The reefs are arranged in lines to form the southern part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is 900 kilometers long.

Gulf of Honduras Facts for Kids

• The waters of the Gulf of Honduras have an ecosystem (organisms and the environment they live in) that is difficult to fully understand because it is constantly changing.
• 12 rivers flow into the Gulf of Honduras. They include: Montagna River, Rio Dulce River, Sarstun Rivers, Ulua River, Moho River, etc.
• The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System is the second largest coral (water organisms) reef system in the world.
• The Belize Barrier Reef is made up of small islands that are collectively called Pelican Cays.
• The Gulf of Honduras has a coastline that is made up of Mangrove Forests, Keys, Sea Grass Beds, Lagoons, Salt Marshes, Barrier Reefs, Barrier Beaches, and Estuaries.
• In 1961 a hurricane, known as Hurricane Hattie, blew through the Gulf of Honduras, and caused a lot of destruction in Belize.
• Tourists usually travel by boat to Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye, which are parts of the Pelican Cays.
• The famous pirate (sea robber), known as Black Beard, is believed to have operated between Mexico and Honduras between 1717 and 1718. And if he had actually done so, then he would have been in the Gulf of Honduras.
• American fishermen often travel to the Gulf of Honduras to try and catch large species of Marlins (fish with a very long and thin upper jaw).
• Whenever there is an increase in the volume of left over materials (sediments), which flow into the Gulf of Honduras, the ecosystem is threatened.
• Garbage waste is often found on the beaches located along the Gulf of Honduras, and this is harmful to the people who live in those areas, and to the environment as a whole.
• The coastal recess (depression) of the Gulf of Honduras, called Amatique Bay contains the cities of Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomas de Castilla, which are the main ports of Guatemala.
• The northern end of the Gulf of Honduras is often considered to be the port of Belize City, which located on the north of Dangriga.

QUESTIONS

1. The Gulf of Honduras is a large inlet of the what Sea.

2. The Belize Barrier Reef is made up of small islands that are collectively called?

3. How many rivers flow into the Gulf of Honduras? Write out the names of three of them

4. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System is the second largest coral (water organisms) reef system in the world. Yes or No.

5. What is the name of the famous pirate who operated between Mexico and Honduras between 1717 and 1718?

6. What does the inner portion of the Gulf of Honduras contain?

7. In what year did Hurricane Hattie blow through the Gulf of Honduras, and cause a lot of destruction in Belize?