Orange Walk Town

Orange Walk Town is the second largest town in the nation of Belize, with a population of about 14,000. It is the capital of Orange Walk District. Orange Walk Town is located on the left bank of the New River, 66 miles north of Belize City and 30 miles south of Corozal Town. In the days of the Mayas, the area was known as Holpatin. The district is home to the biggest Mayna Temple of the pre-classic period. The Mays of the area came in conatct with the Europeans in the 1530's and right after that the indegenous started to fight back for the invasion of the land. In 1848 there was a massive influx of Maya-mestizo people fleing from the Caste War in the neigbouring states of Mexico. This created a overnight growth of population. With the mestizo's came thier many traditions that today abound in the region. One such thing that they brought was the sugar cane which in the years to come became the leading industry that sustained the nation's economy. Today this industry continues to strive in the region. Today the region is highly populated by Mestizos, creoles, Menonites, Chinese, Taiwanese, East Indians, and people from central america. The ecomony diversify today in all directions from farming to the toursims industry.