San Ignacio (town)

Infobox Settlement
official_name =San Ignacio Town
nickname = Cayo
motto =


imagesize = 200px
image_caption = View of part of town in San Ignacio


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Belize
subdivision_type1 = District
subdivision_name1 = Cayo
subdivision_type2 =
subdivision_name2 =
leader_title = Mayor of San Ignacio
leader_name = John Francis August, Jr.
established_title = Founded
established_date = 1800s
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area_urban_km2 =
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population_as_of = 2005
population_note = estimated
population_total = 16,400
population_density_km2 =
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timezone = Central
utc_offset = -6
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latd=17|latm=9 |lats=36.45 |latNS=N
longd=89 |longm=3 |longs=35.99 |longEW=W
elevation_m = sea level
elevation_ft = 250ft above sea level
website =
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San Ignacio is a town in western Belize that serves as the capital of Cayo District. It is located on the banks of the Macal River, a branch of the Belize River, about 72 miles (115 kilometres) west of Belize City and 22 miles (35 km) west of Belmopan.

anta Elena

In recent years San Ignacio has absorbed the formerly separate village of Santa Elena. Santa Elena stands on the other side of the Macal, which is spanned here by the Hawkesworth Suspension Bridge. According to the 2000 census, the combined population was 16,400 people. The two are collectively referred to as the "Twin Towns" although San Ignacio is bigger.

Ethnic and religious makeup

The population is largely Mestizo and Kriol, with some Lebanese and Mopan. San Ignacio also boasts a fairly large Chinese population, most of whom emigrated from Guangzhou in waves in the mid-20th century. A sizable Mennonite community resides near San Ignacio.

City government

San Ignacio is currently governed by a Town Council affiliated with the United Democratic Party (UDP). The mayor is John Francis August, Jr.

Colleges

San Ignacio has one junior college, Sacred Heart Junior College.

Attractions

The area around San Ignacio is one of the most popular parts of the country for tourism. Nearby attractions include the ancient Maya ruins of Caracol, Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Tikal (Guatemala) and the cave Actun Tunichil Muknal, and the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.

ee also

* Chaa Creek
* Macal River

External links

* [http://www.travel-center.com/Maps/BZ/103/San-Ignacio/ Map of San Ignacio]