{"id":27743,"date":"2021-01-01T19:07:31","date_gmt":"2021-01-02T00:07:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mathkind.flywheelsites.com\/?post_type=global-math-stories&p=27743"},"modified":"2026-04-17T14:39:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T18:39:11","slug":"belize","status":"publish","type":"global-math-stories","link":"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/es\/global-math-stories\/belize\/","title":{"rendered":"Belice"},"content":{"rendered":"

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BELIZE<\/h3>\n
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Braving the Cave<\/h1>\n

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By Marissa Minnick<\/p>\n

Boone, NC, United States<\/p>\n

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Traveling in Belize<\/strong> from Belize City to Punta Gorda, our three-Jeep caravan pulled over at\u00a0St. Herman\u2019s Blue Hole National Park. Having just arrived at the site of St. Herman\u2019s Cave, we began furiously applying bug spray with the promise that it would ward off the jungle pests. Once we were fully prepared to meet these anticipated creatures, we began our hike to the cave.<\/p>\n

Hiking<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Along the trail, I was fascinated with the canopy of green trees and vibrant yellow flowers stretching to meet the horizon. The jungle presented itself as calm and endearing, shading us from the sun\u2019s rays with its overlapping leaves. Immediately, my misconception of swarms of jungle bugs began to melt and was replaced with the unfolding beauty of our surrounding scenery.<\/p>\n

Soon our walk ended, and a small clearing in the forest greeted our group with a sign pointing towards the cave. We began the slight ascent up to the cave\u2019s opening.<\/p>\n

The Cave<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Visible from an overlook,\u00a0St. Herman\u2019s Cave\u00a0awaited us down a length of stone carved steps and vines dangling from the cliff above. Although our group only paused along the outskirts of the cave, where daylight met the cave\u2019s dark cavern, I could peer into its opening to see stalactites and stalagmites developing in the cave\u2019s interior. The stalactites, hanging from the cave\u2019s ceiling, and stalagmites, protruding from the cave\u2019s earth, are said to grow at a rate of one inch per 800 years.<\/p>\n

As we turned our backs to the cave to begin our trek back to the jeeps, the cool cave air reached through the opening and brushed the backs of our legs. I cannot wait to return!<\/p>\n

Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0sub<\/a><\/em>mit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Are you a teacher who’s interested in telling this story to your students? Here’s a slideshow you can use to get started.<\/p>\n