Belize

Belize

Located at the Caribbean coast, Belize was the bone of contention between Britain and Spain in the 17th and 18th centuries. It formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Nestled between Mexico City and Antigua Guatemala, it became independent in 1981, with Guatemala recognising the new nation only in 1992. Today, Belize is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy which recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as Sovereign.

The only English-speaking country in Central America, Belize is popular holiday destination in Central America that presents unlimited opportunities.

Travel overview
Tourism is the mainstay of Belize’s economy. Pleasant climate, an array of archaeological sites and unique marine wildlife make the country a compelling destination. The Mayan sites of Altun Ha, Lamani and Xunantunich and the diving zones off Ambergris Caye, St. George's Caye, and Caulker Caye are worth exploring.

Belize is also home to the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere inhabited by an exceptionally interesting array of marine wildlife. Community Baboon Sanctuary has a great collection of birds and monkeys.

Capital: Belmopan
Location:Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Climate: tropical, very hot and humid
Total Area: 22,966 sq km
Total Population: 294,385
Population Growth Rate: 2.258%
Sex Ratio: 1.027 male(s)/female
Literacy: 76.9%
Ethnic Groups: mestizo, Creole, Maya, Garifuna,
Irrigated land: 30 sq km
Languages: Spanish, Creole, Mayan dialects, English, Garifuna, German
Time Zone: UTC-6
Currency: Belizean dollar

Neighbouring countries: Guatemala, Mexico
Type of govt.: parliamentary democracy
Head of Govt.: Prime Minister Said Wilbert Musa
Major Political Parties: National Alliance for Belizean Rights or NABR, National Reform Party or NRP, People's United Party or PUP, United Democratic Party or UDP, Vision Inspired by the People or VIP, We the People Reform Movement

Participation in International Organizations: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Major Agricultural Products: bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments

Natural Resources & Minerals: timber, fish, hydropower
Industry & Transport: garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil
Airports: 43
Roadways:
2,872 km
Waterways: 825 km
Major Trade Partners: US, UK, France, Jamaica, Mexico, Russia, Cuba, Guatemala, China, Spain
Exports: $359.5 million
Imports: $543 million