Cayes

Group of coral islands (see also key) off the east coast of Belize; area 549sq km/212 sq mi; population of San Pedro on Ambergris Island, the only town in the Cayes (1992) 1,500. The main islands are the Turneffe group of islands, St George's Cay, English Cay, and Ambergris Island. Many cayes are swampy and uninhabited. Fishermen live on some cayes, however, and coconuts are grown.

Tourism provides a growing source of income. Many islands have fine white sand beaches, and boat trips, diving, and snorkelling are popular.

St George's Cay was the capital of Belize 1650–1784. In 1798 a battle between Britain and Spain took place on the island, after which the British took control. The Turneffe islands (the name is a corruption of Terra Nova) are atolls (islands consisting of a circular coral reef surrounding a lagoon).