According to the last census figures, the San Mateo Subdivision has an estimated population of 569. The area sits within Belize's number-one tourism destination, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and yet it is one of the poorest and badly planned subdivisions in the entire country. The San Mateo area lacks proper water service, adequate road infrastructure and sufficient energy distribution. Built within mangrove swamps, the garbage laden landfill materials used to create islands of land and improper waste disposal poses a very serious health hazard. Environmentalists believe that because of the way people have been going about filling their land and disposing of their waste, the area may well be a "catastrophe in waiting."
With the population of the island rapidly growing, so are the demands for affordable house lots by local residents. For the hardworking class; obtaining any piece of property is a dream come true. It is not uncommon in Belize that during election time property lots are distributed to electorates and such was the case with the lots in the San Mateo area. For many less-fortunate residents, this gesture provided a good opportunity to build and live instead of paying high house rents. But, instead of serving a good purpose, this so-called opportunity has instead created what many refer to as a "nightmare" than can well cause San Pedro its tourism industry. Adding to that is the fact that many who hold public office have turned a blind eye on San Mateo. In fact you will be surprised to know that many residents in San Pedro, many in public office and even policy makers have never even been to and don't even know the truth about San Mateo.
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