Belize is a Central American country located on the northeastern coast of the continent, with a diverse history comprised of influences from both the Mayans, the British and the African slave trade. The country's history can be traced back to the Maya civilization, which began to develop in the region around 2000 BC. The Mayans built complex cities and established trade routes throughout the region. In the 1600s, Belize was colonized by the British. The British used Belize as a base for logging mahogany trees. They established settlements along the coast and brought African slaves with them to the area. Over the next several hundred years, the slave trade flourished in Belize, with many slaves being brought in from Jamaica and other Caribbean islands. The slaves were put to work in sugar plantations and other labor intensive jobs. In the early 1800s, the nation became a haven for pirates and privateers. This period came to an end in 1854 when Belize was declared a British colony until 1981 when it gained independence from Britain.