According to the 2000 census, the city had a population of 49,040; unofficial estimates place the population at 60,000 or more people. It is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. Belize City is the nation's principal port. It was the capital of British Honduras and Belize until the government was moved to the new capital of Belmopan in 1970. It is the district capital of Belize District. Belize City was founded (originally as "Belize Town") in the mid 17th century by British lumber harvesters.
It is served by Phillip S. W. Goldson International Airport, which is located in Ladyville, Belize, northwest of Belize City.