[a][5] Belize Town was ideal for the English as a central post because it was on the sea and a natural outlet for local rivers and creeks down which the British shipped logwood and mahogany.

Belize Town also became the home of the thousands of African slaves brought in by the English (later the British, beginning in 1707) to toil in the forestry industry.

It was the coordination site for the 1798 Battle of St. George's Caye, won by the British against would-be invaders, and the home of the local courts and government officials up to the 1970s.

Freetown, the westernmost constituency on Northside, is home to the Belama, Coral Grove, Buttonwood Bay and Vista Del Mar suburbs.

Caribbean Shores includes Kings' Park, a small suburb north and west of Freetown Road, West Landivar, home to two of the University of Belize's three city campuses, and residential University Heights.

On the Southside, Lake Independence, Collet and Port Loyola are home to some of the city's poorest residents.

"London bridges", rickety wooden pallets linking dwellings, and low-strung poles are not uncommon here.

On the east side of Central American Boulevard are Mesopotamia, Queen's Square and Albert, which are slightly better.

Belize City features a tropical monsoon climate, with very warm to hot and humid conditions throughout the course of the year.

One Southside school that was previously all girls, Sadie Vernon Technical (Belize Continuation), became coed in 2005.

Belize City is the hub for both national and international air, sea and road travel.

After the most recent municipal elections in 2024, the mayor is Bernard Wagner of the People's United Party.

Belize City will have railway lines southwestward to Spanish Lookout via Belmopan and northward to Orange Walk Town.