Belize is a small nation on the eastern coast of Central America, on the Caribbean Sea bordering Mexico to the northwest and Guatemala to the west and south. The nation of Honduras is a near neighbor of Belize, 75 km away (47 miles) at the closest point across the Gulf of Honduras to the east. In the Spanish language Belize is usually called Belice. Before 1973 Belize was known as British Honduras. Belize became an independent nation in 1981. The name Belize is derived from Belize City and the Belize River. Belize City is the countrys largest city, as well as the principal port and its former capital. Belize is a member of CARICOM and considers itself a Caribbean nation, not Central American