Why was Belmopan built as the capital of Belize?

Belmopan was established as the capital of Belize primarily to protect the government from the threat of natural disasters.1

The former capital, Belize City, is situated on the Caribbean coast at a low elevation, making it highly vulnerable to flooding. In 1961, the city suffered catastrophic damage from Hurricane Hattie and an associated tidal wave.12

In response to this destruction, the government sought an inland location that would not be susceptible to similar flooding events. Construction of the new capital began in 1966 with funding from the United Kingdom, and government offices were officially relocated to Belmopan in 1970.12