| Spanish Lookout | |
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  Spanish Lookout
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| Coordinates: 17°13′02″N 88°58′43″W / 17.21722°N 88.97861°W | |
| Country |  Belize |
| District | Cayo District |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 1,786 |
| Time zone | Central (UTC-6) |
Spanish Lookout is a town in the Cayo District of Belize, Central America. In 2000, Spanish Lookout had a population of 1,786 people. Spanish Lookout is a community of Mennonites in Belize.
The citizens of this community speak Plautdietsch; most also speak English and Spanish. It is largely an agricultural community with some light industry, furniture making, prefabricated wood houses and the only oil field in production in Belize.
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History
In 1978 Kleine Gemeinde Mennonites from Mexico moved to Belize, creating the Spanish Lookout settlement. They objected to a new social welfare law in Mexico and arable land was more readily available in Belize. Over time, a number of families left for Manitoba and Nova Scotia, Canada. However, the settlement's population of 1,100[1] has increased through natural growth. In the 1980s, refugees arrived from Guatemala and El Salvador finding employment and schooling for their children within the setlement.[2]
Location and geographic setting
Spanish Lookout is accessible via several roads, going north off the Western Highway. The main access to Spanish Lookout is via the Iguana Creek Bridge. The Central Farm entrance takes you across a river, via one of Belize’s two hand-cranked ferries equipped to transport vehicles. Several vehicles can fit on the ferry at once, while larger trucks may pass one or two at a time.
Economy
Spanish Lookout specializes in auto parts and is the country's leader in tire hardware and steel imports. It is a major producer of dairy, poultry, vegetables and cattle produce, supplying the majority of the country with these commodities. Belize’s most popular chicken, Quality Chicken, is located in Spanish Lookout. Western Dairy, Belize’s only commercial production of milk is also located in the town.[3] As of 2006, Spanish Lookout has the only commercial oilfield within Belize.[4]
References
- ^ 1108 in 1987
- ^ Loewen, John B., Spanish Lookout Colony, Belize, http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/S6803.html, retrieved 2009-03-28
- ^ Spanish Lookout Overview, http://www.mybelizeadventure.com/destinations/cayo/spanishlook/, retrieved 2009-03-28
- ^ Simon, Romero (2006-02-21). "Touched by Oil and Hope in Belize". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/21/business/worldbusiness/21belize.html. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
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