Belize

Belize is located in the Central America. In spite of being an American nation it is the only country to adopt English as the official language. Belize shares its border with Guatemala in the south and west, Mexico in the north and northwest. The country is bounded by the Caribbean Sea in the east. The country is member of Belize is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Sistema de Integración Centroamericana (SICA), and the Commonwealth of Nations. It has a least population density among Central American county.  


HISTORY:- The Mayan civilization grew in the region from 1500 BC to 300 AD. The first European contact made when the Spanish settlers tried to set up colonies in Belize. They were overthrown by the Maya rebels. In 1968, the English seafaring people settled in the land to invade Spanish ships. Initially the English did not indulge in settling colonies in the country for the fear of Spanish attack. But in 1786, the English finally started establishing colony in Belize by appointing a superintendent. The English-Spain cold war to occupy Belize was ended, when the English defeated the Spanish soldiers in St. George's Cay in 1789. In 1840, the land became a colonial territory of Britain. And in 1862, it became a crown colony of Britain. The nation came to be known as British Honduras. In 1964, the country was granted an autonomous government. In 1973, its name changed to Belize. Belize finally gained independence in 1981, on 21st September. Guatemala, who had been claiming Belize since the 1800s, did not recognize its sovereignty. Guatemala-British collision over the region remained unsolved but Guatemala recognized its sovereignty in 1991.

 

GEOGRAPHY:- Belize is situated at 17 15 N, 88 45 W in the Central America. The land captures total 22,806 sq km land area and 160 sq km water area. The coastline is 386 km long along with the Caribbean Sea. The lowest point is situated at Caribbean Sea (0 m) and the highest point is Doyle's Delight (1,160 m). The country is mainly formed of flat, swampy coastal plains, with low mountains in the interior and southern region.

 

CLIMATE:- The climate is mostly tropical, hot and humid. The rainy season stays from May to November while the dry season stays from February to May. Annual rainfall varies from 60 inches in the north to 200 inches in the south.

 

GOVERNMENT:- Belize is a parliamentary democratic country. The constitution was formed on 21st September, 1981. The legal system is based on the English law. The three major government branches are:

Executive branch comprises the chief of state (Queen), head of government (Prime Minister), and cabinet. The Queen is represented by the Governor General, who in turn appoints cabinet ministers with the advice of the Prime minister.

Legislative branch comprises the bicameral National Assembly, which is firmed of the Senate (12 seats) and the House of Representatives (31 seats).

Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court of Judicature, and Court of Appeal. The chief justice is appointed by the Governor General with the approval of the Prime minister.

People's United Party, United Democratic Party, National Alliance for Belizean Rights, National Reform Party, Vision Inspired By the People, People's National Party, We the People are the prominent political parties. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.

Monarch  Elizabeth II

Governor-General Sir Colville Young

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

 

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Belize is subdivided into 6 districts:

Belize District

Cayo District

Corozal District

Orange Walk District

Stann Creek District

Toledo District

These districts are again decomposed into 31 constituencies.

 

CULTURE:- Belize culture is a fusion of several cultures as Kriol, Maya, Garinagu, Mestizo, Mennonites, Chinese and Lebanese. Punta and Brukdown are the most popular music genres of Belize. Soccer and basketball are the most popular sports in the country, but volleyball, track and field, jai-alai, boxing, cycling, and softball are also enjoyed very much. In Belizean cuisine, bread, cheeses, beans, eggs, seafood, fruits, meat and salad play a major part.

 

ECONOMY:- Tourism is the backbone of the Belizean small private-enterprise economy. Exports of marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments are also playing a vital role in the economy.

GDP/PPP (2004 est.): $1.778 billion; per capita $6,800.

Real growth rate: 3.8%.

Inflation: 3%.

Unemployment: 12.9% (2003).

Arable land: 3.05%.

Agriculture: bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments.

Labor force: 90,000; agriculture 27%, industry 18%, services 55% (2001 est.).

Industries: garment production, food processing, tourism, construction. Natural resources: arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower.

Exports: $349.9 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood.

Imports: $622.4 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco.

Budget:  

Revenues: $307 million

Expenditures: $344 million (2007 est.)

Major trading partners: U.S., UK, Jamaica , Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, China, Japan (2004).

Monetary unit: Belize dollar

 

LANGUAGE:- English is the official language. Other languages are Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole.

 

CITIES:- Belmopan is the capital city. The largest city is Belize City.

 

POPULATION:- The total population is estimated 301,022 with growth rate of 2.2%.

Density per sq mi: 13

Literacy rate: 94% (2003 est.)

 

RACE:-

Mestizo 48.7%

Creole 24.9%

Maya 10.6%

Garifuna 6.1%

Other 9.7%

 

RELIGION:-

Roman Catholic 50%

Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7%, Anglican 5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, Mennonite 4%, Methodist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%)

None 9%

Other 14% (2000)

 

HEALTH:-

Birth rate: 27.84 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 5.77 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate: total: 23.65 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.19 years

Total fertility rate: 3.44 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 200 (2003 est.)

Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 377

 

UNICEF:-  UNICEF has been working to lessen HIV cases by forming a national network to protect children, setting up various testing centres, providing voluntary counseling. ‘Xchange’ movement has prompted the youth to campaign against non-violence, HIV +, and to promote a positive life style. Dangriga is declared as the AIDS-Friendly Town. Criminal charges can be given only at 12. UNICEF with the government provides training to police and tourism officials. A national birth registration programme is introduced in the poorest districts.

 

TRANSPORTATION:-

Railways: 0 km.

Highways: total: 2,872 km (1999 est.).

Waterways: 825 km (2004).

Ports and harbors: Belize City.

Airports: 43 (2004 est.).

COUNTRIES    US STATES    US CITIES    CLASSIFIEDS    EVENTS    YELLOW PAGES    MAJOR CITIES    CATEGORY SITES     AVOO SEARCH     WORLD NEWS    POLLS     YSpan