Belizeans are upset with Miss Universe Pageant organizers and NBC for misinforming viewers about the location of Belize’s famous Barrier Reef – the second largest in the world. During the pageant watched by over one billion people around the world, Cozumel, Mexico was positioned as having the second largest barrier reef in the world. As reality would have it, the Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest barrier reef in the world, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere, running 185 miles long and hugging the entire coast of this English speaking country in Central America.
In 1996 the Belize Barrier Reef was officially declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Environmental Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Belize Barrier Reef shelters over 400 species of fish and 70 different types of coral. The tropical reef encloses an immense area of protected water, and is a famous with world-class divers, sports fishermen
and snorkelers.
Commenting on the snafu, Belize Director of Tourism Tracy Panton stated in a press release that “We, the people of Belize were aghast to hear such blatant misrepresentation of the facts, which is considered general knowledge by locals and international guests and visitors.
“We would have expected that a proper fact check be done to avoid airing inaccurate information to such a large, world- wide audience. Belize takes great pride in its natural resources, which includes the Belize Barrier Reef, and our people expressed great disappointment and disapproval at the gross distortion and manipulation of the facts,” she concluded.
Belize is located between Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. A relaxed, English-speaking country, Belize is only a two-hour plane ride from the continental United States. It is famous for its diving, fishing, pristine beaches, ancient Mayan Ruins and tropical rain forest and wildlife.
For more information on Belize and its second largest barrier reef in the world, visit http://www.belize.com
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