San Ignacio and Santa Elena are towns in western Belize. San Ignacio serves as the cultural-economic hub of Cayo District. It got its start from Mahogany and chicle production during British colonialism. Over time, it attracted different people from the surrounding areas, which led to the diverse population of the town at present day. San Ignacio is the largest settlement in Cayo District and the second-largest in the country overall after Belize City.