Cayo District is located in the west part of Belize, and it contains the capital, Belmopan. It is the most extensive, second-most populous and third-most densely populated of the six districts of Belize. The district's capital is the town of San Ignacio.
In 1960, the boundaries of the Cayo District were defined as follows:[3]
Commencing at Big Falls, Belize River; thence upward along the course of the Belize River to Labouring Creek, Yalbac Creek and Tu-Tu Creek to the Western Frontier Line; thence following the Frontier Line southward to the crossing of the main divide or watershed of the Maya Mountains; thence in a north-easterly direction along the main divide of the Maya Mountains which forms the watershed between Machiquila River, Belize River and Sibun River systems on the west and north, and Moho River, Rio Grande, Monkey River, Sittee River and North Stann Creek systems on the east and south to the top of the peak known as Arthur's Seat west of Middlesex; thence by a direct line in a north-north-easterly direction to the highest point on the Humming Bird Highway in the Humming Bird Gap; thence by the southern side of the Humming Bird Highway in a westerly direction to a point 70 chains east of St. Margaret's Creek bridge measured along the Highway; thence in a straight line in a northerly direction to the source of the westernmost tributary of Indian Creek; thence downward along the courses of Indian Creek and Sibun River to the mouth of Nancy Porter Creek; thence in a straight line to the point of commencement.
As of 2020, these are still the boundaries used for the District.[4]
Economy and infrastructure
Cayo District is primarily an agricultural district, with the chief crops being citrus fruit (more specifically, oranges, grapefruit, and tangerine), as well as bananas. Recently, oil was found in Spanish Lookout and it is now in production.
According to the 2010 Population and Housing Census, Cayo District's total population is of 73,202 residents (compared to the district's 2000 population of 53,715); of whom 36,803 are males and 36,399 are females. The total number of households is 15,497 and the average household size is 4.7.[1]
The southern half of Cayo District is very low densely populated. A large majority of the district's population lives north of the 17th parallel.
Rural and urban development
In 2010, the total population of Cayo's urban areas was of 36,455; 17,939 males and 18,516 females. 7,468 total households and a 4.9 average household size. The total population of Cayo's rural areas was of 36,747; 18,864 males and 17,883 females. 8,029 total households and a 4.6 average household size.[1]
![Cayo District and its neighbors[a]](File:Cayo_District_and_its_neighbors.svg)
