FLAG: The national flag consists of the Belize coat of arms on a white disk centered in a blue rectangular field with a narrow red stripe at the top and the bottom.

ANTHEM: Land of the Free.

MONETARY UNIT: The Belize dollar (B$), formerly tied to the UK pound sterling and now pegged to the U.S. dollar, is a paper currency of 100 cents. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1 dollar, and notes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars. b$1= us$0.50000 (or us$1= b$2) as of 2005.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: Imperial weights and measures are used. The exception is the measuring of petroleum products, for which the U.S. gallon is standard.

HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Baron Bliss Day, 9 March; Labor Day, 1 May; Commonwealth Day, 24 May; National Day, 10 September; Independence Day, 21 September; Columbus Day, 12 October; Garifuna Day, 19 November; Christmas, 25 December; Boxing Day, 26 December. Movable holidays are Good Friday and Easter Monday.

TIME: 6 am = noon GMT.

1 Location and Size

Belize (formerly British Honduras), on the Caribbean coast of Central America, has an area of 22,966 square kilometers (8,867 square miles). The country is slightly smaller than the state of Massachusetts. Belize has a total boundary length of 516 kilometers (320 miles) and a coastline on the Caribbean Sea of 386 kilometers (240 miles). The country shares borders with Guatemala and Mexico. The capital city of Belize, Belmopan, is located in the center of the country.

2 Topography

The country north of Belmopan is mostly level land interrupted only by the Manatee Hills. To the south, the land rises sharply toward a mountainous interior from a flat and swampy coastline heavily indented by many lagoons. The Maya and the Cockscomb Mountains reach a high point of 1,160 meters (3,805 feet) at Victoria Peak and form the backbone of the country,

GEOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

Geographic Features

Area: 22,966 sq km (8,867 sq mi)

Size ranking: 147 of 194

Highest elevation: 1,160 meters (3,805 feet) at Victoria Peak

Lowest elevation: Sea level at the Caribbean Sea

Land Use*

Arable land: 3%

Permanent crops: 1%

Other: 96%

Weather**

Average annual precipitation: 164.8 centimeters (64.9 inches)

Average temperature in January: 23.5°C (74.3°F)

Average temperature in July: 27.6°C (81.7°F)

* Arable Land: Land used for temporary crops, like meadows for mowing or pasture, gardens, and greenhouses.

Permanent crops: Land cultivated with crops that occupy its use for long periods, such as cocoa, coffee, rubber, fruit and nut orchards, and vineyards.

Other: Any land not specified, including built-on areas, roads, and barren land.

** The measurements for precipitation and average temperatures were taken at weather stations closest to the country’s largest city.

Precipitation and average temperature can vary significantly within a country, due to factors such as latitude, altitude, coastal proximity, and wind patterns.

which is drained by 17 rivers. The lowest point is at sea level (Caribbean Sea).

The longest river is the Belize, with a distance of 288 kilometers (180 miles). The coastal waters are sheltered by a line of reefs. Beyond are numerous islands and cays, notably Ambergris Cay, the Turneffe Islands, Columbus Reef, and Glover Reef.

3 Climate

The climate is tempered by northeast trade winds that keep temperatures between 16 and 32°c (61 and 90°F) in the coastal region. Annual rainfall averages vary from 127 centimeters (50 inches) to more than 380 centimeters (150 inches). There is a dry season from February to May and another dry spell in August. Hurricanes occur from July to October.

4 Plants and Animals

Most of the forest cover consists of mixed hard-woods—mainly mahogany, cedar, and sapodilla (the source of chicle). In the flat regions there are extensive tracts of pine. The coastal land and the cays are covered with mangrove. Indigenous fauna (animals) include armadillo, opossum, deer, and monkeys; common reptiles include iguana and snakes.

5 Environment

Due to its low population density, Belize has suffered less than its neighbors from such problems as soil erosion and pollution. However, substantial deforestation has occurred and water quality remains a problem because of the seepage of sewage, along with industrial and agricultural chemicals, into the water supply. Pollutants also threaten Belize’s coral reefs. Removal of coral, picking orchids in forest reserves, spear fishing, and overnight camping in any public area (including forest reserves) are prohibited.

Approximately 21% of Belize’s total land area is protected. Natural hazards to Belize’s environment include hurricanes and coastal flooding. Endangered species in Belize include the tundra peregrine falcon; hawksbill, green sea, and leatherback turtles; American crocodile; and Morelet’s crocodile. In 2006, threatened species included 5 types of mammals, 3 types of birds, 4 types of reptiles, and 30 species of plants.

6 Population

The estimated 2005 population was 292,000. The population density was 12 persons per square kilometer (31 persons per square mile). Belmopan, the capital, had an estimated population of 9,000. Belize City had a population of 52,600. The projected population for the year 2025 was 396,000.

7 Migration

Due to its high emigration rate, Belize encourages immigration. The population of Belize increased significantly in 1993, with 40,000 Central American refugees and other immigrants, mostly from Guatemala and El Salvador. This offset the heavy Creole emigration to North America. In 1999, the government established programs to offer naturalization or permanent resident status to some illegal immigrants and refugees. About 10,000 families registered for those programs in the first year. The total number of migrants in Belize in 2000 was 17,000. In 2005, the estimated net migration rate was zero.

8 Ethnic Groups

According to the latest estimates, 46.4% of the population is mestizo (mixed white and Mayan);

nearly 27.7% is Creole (of African descent); another 10% is Mayan; 6.4% is Garifuna (Carib); and nearly 9.5% is comprised of various other groups, including those of Arab, European, Chinese, East Indian, North American, and Syrian-Lebanese ancestry. Residents of Belize are called Belizeans.

9 Languages

The official language is English. At least 80% of the people can speak standard English and/or a Creole patois (dialect). Spanish is spoken by approximately 60% of the population. Although English is the language of instruction, other languages spoken include Garifuna (Carib), Mayan and other Amerindian languages, and, in the Mennonite colony, Low German.

10 Religions

About 58% of all inhabitants are Roman Catholic. Only 7% are Anglican and 6% are Pentecostal. Other faiths and denominations generally have fewer than 10,000 members each. These include Methodists (4.2%), Seventh-Day Adventists (4.1%), and Mennonites (4%). There are approximately 6,000 Nazarenes and smaller numbers of Hindus, Baha’is, Baptists, Buddhists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Muslims, Rastafarians, and Salvation Army members. About 6% of the population claim to be nonbelievers or to have no religious affiliation.

There is no state religion. However, the preamble to the constitution recognizes the religious history of the country by asserting that the nation “shall be founded upon principles which acknowledge the supremacy of God.” Spirituality is a required topic in public schools as part of the social studies curriculum. All schools, both public and private, are required to provide 220 minutes per week of religious education or chapel services for students in kindergarten to sixth grade. However, students are not forced to participate in such instruction. The faith of the individual student, or their parents, is generally respected.

11 Transportation

In 2002, Belize had 2,880 kilometers (1,789 miles) of roads, of which 490 kilometers (304 miles) were paved. In 2003, there were 25,888 registered motor vehicles, 11,500 of which were passenger cars. The country had no railways. In 2005, Belize’s merchant marine was comprised of 295 ships. Several shipping lines provide regular services to North America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Belize City is the main port. In 2004, there were 44 airports, only 5 of which had paved runways. International airports at Belize City and Punta Gorda handle service to the United States and Central America.

12 History

The area now called Belize was once heavily populated by Maya Indians, whose civilization collapsed around ad 900. The first permanent European settlement was established in 1638 by shipwrecked English seamen. Later immigrants included African slaves and British sailors.

England struggled with Spain over possession of the area, with the British winning by the 19th century. In 1862, they created the colony of British Honduras. For the next century, forestry was the main enterprise until eventually replaced by the sugar industry.

After attaining self-government on 1 January 1964, the country adopted Belize as its official name in 1973, although not fully independent

BOIGRAPHICAL PROFILE

Name: Said Wilbert Musa

Position: Prime minister of a parliamentary democracy

Took Office: 27 August 1998, reelected in 2003

Birthplace: San Ignacio, Belize

Birthdate: 19 March 1944

Education: Manchester University, law degree, 1967

Spouse: Joan Pearson

Of interest: Musa made the colony’s history accessible to school children in social studies textbooks for the first time.

yet. The United Kingdom granted Belize independence as of 21 September 1981. Guatemala, which claimed the southern quarter of the area, refused to recognize the new nation and severed diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom. In December 1986, the United Kingdom and Guatemala resumed full diplomatic ties, but an 1,800-member British garrison remained in Belize. The United Kingdom withdrew its troops in 1994.

Tensions with Guatemala over territorial disputes not settled in 1991 continued into early 2000, when Belize’s ambassador was expelled from Guatemala. But a hurricane in 2001 hurt both Belize and Guatemala and helped reduce tensions between the two countries. As of early 2006, the dispute had not been resolved.

13 Government

Governmental authority is vested in a governor-general appointed by the monarch of the United Kingdom, a cabinet headed by a prime minister, and a two-chamber National Assembly. The National Assembly consists of a 29-member House of Representatives elected by universal adult voting, and a Senate of 8 members appointed by the governor-general. The voting age is 18 and parliamentary elections are held at least once every five years. Belize is divided into six administrative districts. Belize City has an elected city council of nine members. All

other districts have elected town boards of seven members. Local government at the village level is through village councils.

14 Political Parties

The two major parties in Belize are the current majority People’s United Party (PUP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP). Following the March 2003 elections, the PUP held 22 seats and the UDP had 7 seats in the National Assembly.

15 Judicial System

There are Magistrate’s Courts, a Supreme Court, and a Court of Appeal. Six summary jurisdiction courts (criminal) and six district courts (civil) are presided over by magistrates. In 2003, Caribbean leaders met in Jamaica to establish the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Eight nations, including Belize, approved the CCJ.

16 Armed Forces

The Belize defense force consisted of 1,050 active personnel in 2005, supported by 700 reserve members. The defense budget was us $ 16 million in 2005.

17 Economy

By 1995, tourism had surpassed the sugar industry as the leading source of foreign exchange. The economy also relies on agriculture and fishing. Garment manufacturing has gained in importance in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The country continues to import most of its consumer goods, including much of its food and all of its petroleum requirements. In 2005, the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate was estimated at 3.8%.

18 Income

In 2005 Belize’s gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at us$1.8 billion, or us$6,800 per capita. The annual growth rate of the GDP was estimated at 3.8%. The average inflation rate in 2002 was 3%. In 2002, remittances from citizens working abroad totaled us$14 million.

19 Industry

Major industrial activities include sugar, citrus, and banana processing and textiles and garments production. Other manufactured products include batteries, beer, and other beverages.

Construction projects in 2001 included a multimillion-dollar housing project designed to build 10,000 units, a us$14.7 million project to rehabilitate the country’s southern highway, and a us$9.5 million project to upgrade health centers and hospitals.

Yearly Growth Rate

This economic indicator tells by what percent the economy has increased or decreased when compared with the previous year.

20 Labor

The labor force is estimated at about 90,000. In 2001, about 27% of the labor force was employed in agriculture, forestry, and fishing, 18% in industry, and 55% in services. Labor legislation covers minimum wages, work hours, employment of young persons, and workers’ safety and compensation. Unemployment averaged 12.9% in 2003.

Labor laws prohibit employment for children under the age of 12. Children between the ages of 12 and 14 are not permitted to work during school hours. In 2005, 11% of the labor force was unionized. The workweek is set at 45 hours or 6 days.

21 Agriculture

Only 4% of the total land area is used for the production of seasonal and permanent crops. Most Mayans still practice the traditional slash-and-burn method of farming. More efficient agricultural colonies have been established by Mennonite immigrants. Sugar, citrus, and bananas are the leading agricultural exports. Sugarcane production totaled 1.1 million tons in 2004. Citrus production that year included 213,000 tons of oranges and 56,000 tons of grapefruit. Banana production was at 79,400 tons. Papaya production totaled over 27,700 and mango production was at 563 tons. Other agricultural crops include peanuts, pineapples, rice, corn, and dry beans.

In 1985, a consortium that included Coca-Cola paid us$6 million for 383,000 hectares (946,400 acres) northwest of Belmopan for a citrus farming project. The U.S.-based Hershey Foods Corp. has invested b $ 4 million in cacao cultivation in El Cayo.

Because agriculture is not sufficiently diversified, the country relies heavily on food imports. Export earnings from sugar in 2001 exceeded us$35 million.

22 Domesticated Animals

Farms established by Mennonites (a religious sect) account for much of Belize’s dairy and poultry output. In 2004, the nation had an estimated 21,200 hogs, 5,300 horses, 4,600 mules, 6,300 sheep, and 1,600,000 chickens. Cattle suited for breeding or crossbreeding with local cattle are Red Poll, Jamaica Black, Hereford, and Brahman (zebu). There were 57,800 head of cattle in 2004. Some 14,000 tons of poultry meat and 3,600 tons of milk were produced.

Yearly Balance of Trade

The balance of trade is the difference between what a country sells to other countries (its exports) and what it buys (its imports). If a country imports more than it exports, it has a negative balance of trade (a trade deficit). If exports exceed imports there is a positive balance of trade (a trade surplus).

23 Fishing

In 2003, the total catch was 15,353 tons. Lobster, squid, and conch are leading products. In the mid-1990s, shrimp production increased by 75% as a result of three new shrimp farms opening in 1992. Whiteleg shrimp and spiny lobster are the leading species by volume.

24 Forestry

About 92% of Belize’s land area is covered with forests and woodlands. Timber cutting is usually done during the short dry season. Total round-wood production in 2003 was 188,000 cubic meters (6.64 million cubic feet). The principal varieties of trees cut are mahogany, pine, cedar, and rosewood. In 2003, timber exports were valued at us$ 4 million.

Selected Social Indicators

The statistics below are the most recent estimates available as of 2006. For comparison purposes, data for the United States and averages for low-income countries and high-income countries are also given. About 15% of the world’s 6.5 billion people live in high-income countries, while 37% live in low-income countries.

Indicator	Belize	Low-income countries	High-income countries	United States
sources: World Bank. World Development Indicators. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank, 2006; Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 2006; World Resources Institute, Washington, D.C.
Per capita gross national income (GNI)*	$6,550	$2,258	$31,009	$39,820
Population growth rate	2.3%	2%	0.8%	1.2%
People per square kilometer of land	12	80	30	32
Life expectancy in years: male	66	58	76	75
female	70	60	82	80
Number of physicians per 1,000 people	1.1	0.4	3.7	2.3
Number of pupils per teacher (primary school)	n.a.	43	16	15
Literacy rate (15 years and older)	94.1%	65%	>95%	99%
Television sets per 1,000 people	200	84	735	938
Internet users per 1,000 people	134	28	538	630
Energy consumed per capita (kg of oil equivalent)	n.a.	501	5,410	7,843
CO² emissions per capita (metric tons)	3.11	0.85	12.97	19.92
* The GNI is the total of all goods and services produced by the residents of a country in a year. The per capita GNI is calculated by dividing a country’s GNI by its population and adjusting for relative purchasing power.
n.a.: data not available >: greater than <: less than

25 Mining

Clays, limestone, marble, and sand and gravel for construction are the mainstay of Belize’s inerals industry. The Belize, Sibun, and Monkey Rivers, as well as North and South Stann Creeks, were the sites of clay, limestone, and sand and gravel operations. Clay production amounted to 500,000 tons in 2003. Other product totals included 5,511 tons of dolomite, 400,000 tons of limestone, 130,000 cubic meters (4.5 million cubic feet) of sand and gravel, and 1,000 grams (2.2 pounds) of gold, obtained by stream panning.

26 Foreign Trade

Belize’s most important imports are machinery, food, fuels, consumer goods, industrial supplies, and transportation equipment. The country’s major exports include sugar, fruits, nuts, clothing, shellfish, wood, and vegetables. In 2004, the United States received 37% of Belize’s total exports and supplied 30% of all Belizean imports.

27 Energy and Power

Electric power is supplied by ten diesel-powered generators and is considered to be inadequate. Belize imports half of its electricity from Mexico. In 2002, total production of electricity in Belize was 117 million kilowatt hours. About 30% of the electricity was produced by the Mollejon dam and 20% from fossil fuels.

28 Social Development

Social security benefits are available for employed persons between the ages of 14 and 64. Workers’ compensation covers agricultural workers. Full medical care is provided at government hospitals and clinics. Women are active in all areas of national life, but they face domestic violence and discrimination in the business sector.

29 Health

Belize is relatively free of endemic (widespread) diseases. Cardiovascular disease, mental illness, external trauma, and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are significant public health problems. In 1995, 9,413 malaria cases were diagnosed.

There are eight public hospitals. The Cayo and Belize districts have two hospitals each and all the remaining districts have one. There are 40 health centers and 35 rural satellites. In 2005, there were an estimated 110 physicians and 126 nurses for every 100,000 people.

In 2005, the life expectancy was 68 years (66 for men and 70 for women). The infant mortality rate was 25 deaths per 1,000 live births.

As of 2004, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS was estimated at 3,600. The government has implemented a strategic program to deal with the AIDS epidemic.

30 Housing

Housing is inadequate and the situation has been aggravated by hurricane devastation. The government has put aside small sums for low-cost housing programs. The vast majority of houses are made of wood, while the rest are made of concrete or adobe.

According to a 2001 census, about 83% of the population lived in undivided private homes. Only about 26% of all households had piped water leading into their homes. About 44% of the population still used outdoor pit latrines.

31 Education

Primary education is free and compulsory for children between the ages of five and fourteen and includes eight grade levels. Secondary education covers four years and consists of either a general course of study or classes at a vocational or trade school. Most schools are church-affiliated but still supported by the government. In 2003, it was estimated that 100% of primary-school-age children were enrolled in school and approximately 69% of eligible children were in secondary school. The pupil-teacher ratio for secondary school was 23 to 1.

The University of Belize was founded in 2000 by the merger of five colleges. The University of the West Indies maintains a School for Continuing Education (SCE) in Belize. There are also several colleges providing specialized training, such as the Belize Technical College; Belize Teachers’ College; and the Belize Vocational Training Center. There are also two special schools maintained by the government for children with mental and physical disabilities. The adult literacy rate for 2004 was estimated at about 94.1%. In 2003, public expenditure on education was estimated at 5.2% of the gross domestic product (GDP), or 18% of total government expenditures.

32 Media

Belize is connected by radiotelegraph and telephone with Jamaica, Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States. In 2003, Belize had 33,200 mainline telephones and 60,400 mobile phones in use.

The Belize National Radio Network, a government station in Belize City, transmits in English and Spanish. The first privately owned commercial radio station began broadcasting in 1990. As of 2004, there were 10 privately owned commercial radio stations and 1 British military station. There were two privately owned television stations and several cable stations. In 1997, there were 133,000 radios and 41,000 television sets in use nationwide. In 2002, there were 30,000 Internet users.

There are no daily newspapers. The largest weeklies in 2002 were Amandala (Black Power, circulation 45,000) and The Reporter (6,500), both published in Belize City. Belize Today, a monthly publication out of Belmopan, has a circulation of 17,000.

Though Belize’s constitution assures freedom of speech and the press, there is a law forbidding citizens from questioning financial statements submitted by public officials. The Supreme Court has also warned journalists that questioning the integrity of the Court or of its members could result in criminal charges.

33 Tourism and Recreation

Belize is attracting growing numbers of tourists to its Mayan ruins, its barrier reef (the longest in the Western Hemisphere), and its beaches, forests, and wildlife. Tourist arrivals totaled 220,574 in 2003, with most from the Americas. There were 5,050 hotel rooms and 8,166 beds.

34 Famous Belizeans

George C. Price (1919– ), leader of the PUP, became the country’s first premier in 1964. Manuel Esquivel (1940– ), leader of the UDP, was prime minister from 1984 to 1998. Said Wilbert Musa (1944– ) succeeded Esquival in 1998.