Chiquibul National Park - Geology and Geography

Geology and Geography

The western side of the park lies along Belize's border with Guatemala. The park lies west of the Mayan Mountains. The park's landscape includes south Vaca Plateau and eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains. Doyle's Delight, the highest mountain in Belize, is located in the park. The park is located on a layer of limestone strata, the largest area of protected karst in Belize. The park incorporates portions of the Chiquibul Cave System, the longest known cave system in Central America. The cave system is made up of caves linked by water flows, including the Chiquibul River. The Chiquibul River flows through Belize, goes underground into the cave system, and resurfaces in Guatemala. The cave system includes the largest known underground passages and cave chamber discovered in the Western Hemisphere.