Dangriga

Coordinates: 16°58′N 88°13′W / 16.967°N 88.217°W / 16.967; -88.217
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Dangriga
Central)
ClimateAm
WebsiteOfficial Website

Dangriga, formerly known as Stann Creek Town, is a

Garifuna culture, Dangriga is the largest settlement in southern Belize.[4]

History

Dangriga was settled before 1832 by

Garinagu (Black Caribs, as they were known to the British) from Honduras. For years it was the second largest population centre in the country behind Belize City, but in recent years has been surpassed by San Ignacio, Belmopan and Orange Walk Town. Since the early 1980s Garífuna culture has undergone a revival, as part of which the town's name of Dangriga, a Garífuna word meaning "standing waters", became more widely used (but was initially adopted around 1975).[5]

Demographics

The population is mostly a mixture of

Mestizos. According to the Statistical Institute of Belize, Dangriga's population in 2010 was 8,767 – 4,302 males and 4,465 females.[6]

Culture

Dangriga is home to the

Punta Rock
, originated and where some of Belize's folk bands can be found.

In November each year there is a week-long festivity leading up to Garifuna Settlement Day, attended by Garifuna people from around the region. It includes a torchlit parade and wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of the patriot and social activist Thomas Vincent Ramos, selection of Miss Garifuna, parades and special church services, and The T.V. Ramos Classic Bike Race.

The 19 November is Garifuna Settlement Day.[7][8]

Attractions

Healthcare

The city is served by Southern Regional Hospital.

Notable residents

  • Arlie Petters, mathematician and astrophysicist
  • Pen Cayetano, artist and musician residing in Germany. Originator of Punta Rock.
  • Maxime Faget, designer of the Mercury capsule, and contributed to the later Gemini and Apollo spacecraft as well as the Space Shuttle.
  • Garifuna
    civil rights activist from Puerto Cortez, Honduras.
  • Ada Mari Cayetano-Kax'Oxo / Pan Africanist, Nurse-Midwife and PhD Nursing Professor (University of the District of Columbia).
  • Benjamin Nicholas / Artist, Sculptor and Painter.
  • Osmond P. Martin, first native Belizean Catholic bishop.
  • Miss Belize 2016
    .
  • Rakeem Nuñez-Roches, American football player for the New York Giants[9]

References

  1. ^ "Belize Population and Housing Census 2010" (PDF). Statistical Institute of Belize. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Mid-Year Population Estimates by Area and Sex 2008 - 2015". Statistical Institute of Belize. Retrieved 14 May 2016.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Belize: Districts, Towns & Villages - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information".
  4. ^ Stann Creek Belize - Home Of Culture Capital Dangriga, Belize.com. (accessed 21 June 2015)
  5. ^ "City of Dangriga, Belize - Yahoo! Travel". Archived from the original on 14 December 2004. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  6. ^ "Statistics 2010". Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  7. .
  8. ^ "Celebrating Garifuna Day". San Pedro Sun. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  9. ^ "Nunez-Roches helps others". Hattiesburg American. 26 November 2014.

External links

Gallery

  • Dangriga main street
    Dangriga main street
  • Garifuna Gulisi Museum
    Garifuna Gulisi Museum
  • "Drums of Our Fathers" Monument
    "Drums of Our Fathers" Monument
  • Dangriga, Belize Streets of Dangriga
    Dangriga, Belize Streets of Dangriga

16°58′N 88°13′W / 16.967°N 88.217°W / 16.967; -88.217