What is the capital of Belize?
Belmopan stands in Cayo District at 76 metres above sea level, just east of the Belize River and 80 kilometres inland from the coast.
Belmopan is the capital and seat of government of Belize, a role it has held since 1970. Belize itself has an estimated population of 422,924 (2025).
Belmopan is not the largest city in Belize. That is Belize City, which makes Belize one of the countries whose capital is not their biggest city.
Belmopan at a glance
| City population | 20,754 (2022) |
|---|---|
| Country | 🇧🇿 Belize |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Capital since | 1970 |
| Largest city in Belize | Belize City |
| Time zone | UTC−06:00 (CST) |
| Currency | Belize dollar (BZD) |
About Belmopan
Belmopan was founded as a planned community on 1 August 1970, which makes it one of the newest national capitals in the world.
Belmopan has been the capital of Belize since 1970, when the government moved inland from Belize City, which had been all but destroyed by Hurricane Hattie in 1961.
Belize City, the country's port and still its largest settlement, was the capital until the government moved to the newly built Belmopan in 1970, after Hurricane Hattie devastated the old capital in 1961.
Belmopan is the smallest capital city in the continental Americas by population, and the second-largest settlement in Belize.
Since 2000 it has been one of only two places in Belize with official city status, the other being Belize City.
City facts sourced from Wikipedia: Belmopan.
Frequently asked questions
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Capitals of neighbouring countries
See the full profile of Belize on its country page, or browse every capital city.
Capital and country data from open datasets; city and metropolitan populations are hand-curated per city and cited where they are shown. Populations of countries come from the World Bank (SP.POP.TOTL). Full sources and vintage on the data page. Last updated . Report a correction.