Belmopan, estimated population 20,000 is the capital of Belize.
Belmopanis the capital ofBelize, nearer the geographic center of the country than (former capital) Belize City. It was established following the massive damage that occurred when Hurricane Hattie struckBelize Cityin 1961; an inland location was deemed a safer location for the national government than the low-lying seaside metropolis ofBelize City.
Although the smallest capital city in the continentalAmericasby population, Belmopan is the third-largest settlement in Belize, behindBelize CityandSan Ignacio. Founded as aplanned communityin 1970, Belmopan is one of the newest national capital cities in the world. Since 2000 Belmopan has been one of two settlements in Belize to hold official city status, along with Belize City.