The North American capital founded in 1970 to replace Belize City is Belmopan.
Belmopan is Belize's inland capital in Cayo District, about 80 kilometres from the former capital, Belize City. The government moved there in 1970, making it one of the world's newest national capitals and the smallest capital in the continental Americas by population.
The decision followed Hurricane Hattie in 1961, which devastated much of low-lying Belize City. Planners wanted a safer inland location on higher ground, away from storm surges and coastal flooding. Construction began in 1967, and the first phase was completed in 1970. The name combines “Belize,” the country's longest river, with “Mopan,” a nearby river.
Belize City remains the country's largest city, principal port, and commercial centre, so it is often mistaken for the capital. Managua, Tegucigalpa, and San José are capitals of Nicaragua, Honduras, and Costa Rica respectively.