The Central American country with Belmopan as its capital is Belize. Belmopan lies inland in the Cayo District, about 80 kilometres from the coast and the former capital, Belize City.
Belmopan was planned and built after Hurricane Hattie devastated much of low-lying Belize City in 1961. The inland site offered higher ground and greater protection from storm surges. Construction began in the late 1960s, and the government moved to Belmopan in 1970.
The name combines “Belize,” the country’s longest river, with “Mopan,” another river in the region. Its National Assembly Building was designed with imagery inspired by Pre-Columbian Maya architecture.
Belize City remains the country’s largest urban centre and an important port, so it is often mistakenly identified as the capital. Belmopan is the political and administrative capital, while Belize City continues to dominate commerce, travel, and historical life.