Introduction

Background: |  |

`
Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992 and the two countries are involved in an ongoing border dispute. Guatemala and Belize plan to hold a simultaneous referendum to determine if this dispute will go before the International Court of Justice at The Hague, though they have not yet set a date. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include the country's heavy foreign debt burden, high unemployment, growing involvement in the Mexican and South American drug trade, high crime rates, and one of the highest prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS in Central America.
`

Geography

Location: |  |
`Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`17 15 N, 88 45 W`
Map references: |  |
`Central America and the Caribbean`
Area: |  |
`total: 22,966 sq km country comparison to the world: 151 land: 22,806 sq km water: 160 sq km`
Area - comparative: |  |
`slightly smaller than Massachusetts`
Land boundaries: |  |
`total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km`
Coastline: |  |
`386 km`
Maritime claims: |  |
`territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala exclusive economic zone: 200 nm`
Climate: |  |
`tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)`
Terrain: |  |
`flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,160 m`
Natural resources: |  |
`arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 3.05% permanent crops: 1.39% other: 95.56% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`30 sq km (2003)`
Total renewable water resources: |  |
`18.6 cu km (2000)`
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic / industrial / agricultural): |  |
`total: 0.15 cu km/yr (7%/73%/20%) per capita: 556 cu m/yr (2000)`
Natural hazards: |  |
`frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)`
Environment - current issues: |  |
`deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal`
Environment - international agreements: |  |
`party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements`
Geography - note: |  |
`only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean`

People

Population: |  |
`321,115 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 176`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 36.8% (male 60,327/female 57,933) 15-64 years: 59.6% (male 96,886/female 94,605) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 5,404/female 5,960) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 21 years male: 20.8 years female: 21.2 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`2.056% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 45`
Birth rate: |  |
`26.43 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 53`
Death rate: |  |
`5.87 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 170`
Net migration rate: |  |
`0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 75`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 52% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`BELMOPAN (capital) 20,000 (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 21.95 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 91 male: 24.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 68.23 years country comparison to the world: 154 male: 66.53 years female: 70.02 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`3.21 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 52`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`2.3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`4,800 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 120`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96`
Major infectious diseases: |  |
`degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)`
Drinking water source: |  |
`improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 0% of population total: 1% of population (2008)`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 93% of population rural: 86% of population total: 90% of population unimproved: urban: 7% of population rural: 14% of population total: 10% of population (2008)`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% (2000 census)`
Religions: |  |
`Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), other 14%, none 9.4% (2000)`
Languages: |  |
`Spanish 46%, Creole 32.9%, Mayan dialects 8.9%, English 3.9% (official), Garifuna 3.4% (Carib), German 3.3%, other 1.4%, unknown 0.2% (2000 census)`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.9% male: 76.7% female: 77.1% (2000 census)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2009)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`5.7% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 36`

Government

Country name: |  |
`conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras`
Government type: |  |
`parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm`
Capital: |  |
`name: Belmopan geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)`
Administrative divisions: |  |
`6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo`
Independence: |  |
`21 September 1981 (from the UK)`
National holiday: |  |
`Independence Day, 21 September (1981)`
Constitution: |  |
`21 September 1981`
Legal system: |  |
`English common law`
International law organization participation: |  |
`has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction`
Suffrage: |  |
`18 years of age; universal`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993)
head of government: Prime Minister Dean Oliver BARROW (since 8 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar VEGA (since 12 February 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from the General Assembly
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
`

Legislative branch: |  |

`
bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (31 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held on 6 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - UDP 56.3%, PUP 40.9%; seats by party - UDP 25, PUP 6
`

Judicial branch: |  |
`Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal; Privy Council in the UK; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ); Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil jurisdiction)`
Political parties and leaders: |  |
`National Alliance for Belizean Rights or NABR; National Reform Party or NRP [Cornelius DUECK]; People's National Party or PNP [Wil MAHEIA]; People's United Party or PUP [John BRICENO]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW]; Vision Inspired by the People or VIP [Paul MORGAN]; We the People Reform Movement or WTP [Hipolito BAUTISTA]`
Political pressure groups and leaders: |  |
`Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Nicole HAYLOCK]; Association of Concerned Belizeans or ACB [David VASQUEZ]; National Trade Union Congress of Belize or NTUC/B [Rene GOMEZ]`
International organization participation: |  |
`ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, PetroCaribe, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO`
Diplomatic representation in the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Nestor MENDEZ chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles`
Diplomatic representation from the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Vinai THUMMALAPALLY embassy: Floral Park Road, Belmopan City, Cayo District mailing address: P.O. Box 497, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize telephone: [501] 822-4011 FAX: [501] 822-4012`
Flag description: |  |

`
blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland of 50 mahogany leaves; the colors are those of the two main political parties: blue for the PUP and red for the UDP; various elements of the coat of arms - the figures, the tools, the mahogany tree, and the garland of leaves - recall the logging industry that led to British settlement of Belize
note: Belize's flag is the only national flag that depicts human beings; two British overseas territories, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands, also depict humans
`

National anthem: |  |
`name: "Land of the Free" lyrics/music: Samuel Alfred HAYNES/Selwyn Walford YOUNG note: adopted 1981; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner in this small economy, followed by exports of marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2007. Oil discoveries in 2006 bolstered this growth. Exploration efforts have continued and production has increased a small amount. In February 2007, the government restructured nearly all of its public external commercial debt, which helped reduce interest payments and relieved some of the country's liquidity concerns. Growth slipped to 0% in 2009 and 1.5% in 2010 as a result of the global slowdown, natural disasters, and the drop in the price of oil. With weak economic growth and a large public debt burden, fiscal spending is likely to be tight. A key government objective remains the reduction of poverty and inequality with the help of international donors. Although Belize has the second highest per capita income in Central America, the average income figure masks a huge income disparity between rich and poor. The 2010 Poverty Assessment shows that more than 4 out of 10 people live in poverty. The sizable trade deficit and heavy foreign debt burden continue to be major concerns.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$2.651 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 $2.599 billion (2009 est.) $2.6 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$1.396 billion (2010 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 0% (2009 est.) 3.8% (2008 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$8,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $8,400 (2009 est.) $8,600 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 29% industry: 16.9% services: 54.1% (2008 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`120,500 country comparison to the world: 179 note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2008 est.)`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: 10.2% industry: 18.1% services: 71.7% (2007)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`13.1% (2009) country comparison to the world: 135 8.2% (2008)`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`43% (2010 est.)`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%`
Investment (gross fixed): |  |
`26.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 36`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $370.5 million expenditures: $418 million (2010 est.)`
Public debt: |  |
`80% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`4.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 -1.1% (2009 est.)`
Central bank discount rate: |  |
`12% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 30 12% (31 December 2008)`
Commercial bank prime lending rate: |  |
`14.08% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 14.14% (31 December 2008 est.)`
Stock of narrow money: |  |
`$389.5 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 $336.5 million (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of broad money: |  |
`$1.351 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $1.084 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of domestic credit: |  |
`$1.291 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 $1.036 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Market value of publicly traded shares: |  |
`$NA`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber`
Industries: |  |
`garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`1.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142`
Electricity - production: |  |
`213.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 176`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`198.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 178`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`248.4 million kWh (2005)`
Oil - production: |  |
`3,990 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 99`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`7,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157`
Oil - exports: |  |
`2,260 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 110`
Oil - imports: |  |
`7,204 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 147`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`6.7 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112`
Current account balance: |  |
`$-151 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 $-93.3 million (2009 est.)`
Exports: |  |
`$404 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 $381.9 million (2009 est.)`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood, crude oil`
Exports - partners: |  |
`US 30.7%, UK 29.77%, Nigeria 4.9%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.45% (2009)`
Imports: |  |
`$740 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 $620.5 million (2009 est.)`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco`
Imports - partners: |  |
`US 33.65%, Mexico 14.17%, Cuba 8.51%, Guatemala 6.75%, Spain 6.07%, China 4.12% (2009)`
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: |  |
`$219 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $213.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)`
Debt - external: |  |
`$1.01 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $954.1 million (2008 est.)`
Exchange rates: |  |
`Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2010) 2 (2009) 2 (2008) 2 (2007) 2 (2006)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`31,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 179`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`161,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 175`
Telephone system: |  |

`
general assessment: above-average system; trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay
domestic: fixed-line teledensity of 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 55 per 100 persons
international: country code - 501; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6) (2008)
`

Broadcast media: |  |
`8 privately-owned TV stations; multi-channel cable TV provides access to foreign stations; about 25 radio stations broadcasting on roughly 50 different frequencies; state-run radio was privatized in 1998 (2007)`
Internet country code: |  |
`.bz`
Internet hosts: |  |
`2,880 (2010) country comparison to the world: 147`
Internet users: |  |
`36,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 178`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`45 (2010) country comparison to the world: 96`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2010)`
Airports - with unpaved runways: |  |
`total: 41 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 27 (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 3,007 km country comparison to the world: 165 paved: 575 km unpaved: 2,432 km (2006)`
Waterways: |  |
`825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2010) country comparison to the world: 71`
Merchant marine: |  |

`
total: 231
country comparison to the world: 33
by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 37, cargo 146, chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 7, refrigerated cargo 27, roll on/roll off 10
foreign-owned: 171 (Chile 1, China 64, Croatia 1, Cyprus 1, Estonia 1, Germany 1, Greece 2, Iceland 2, Italy 3, Japan 1, Latvia 10, Lithuania 2, Netherlands 1, Nigeria 2, Norway 3, Peru 1, Russia 32, Singapore 7, Spain 1, Syria 2, Turkey 18, UAE 5, UK 4, Ukraine 6) (2010)
`

Ports and terminals: |  |
`Belize City, Big Creek`

Military

Military branches: |  |
`Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, BDF Air Wing (includes Special Boat Unit), BDF Volunteer Guard (2011)`
Military service age and obligation: |  |
`18 years of age for voluntary military service; law allows for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1 (2008)`
Manpower available for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 81,284 females age 16-49: 79,185 (2010 est.)`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 59,431 females age 16-49: 57,221 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 3,723 female: 3,584 (2010 est.)`
Military expenditures: |  |
`1.4% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 105`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`Guatemala persists in its territorial claim to half of Belize, but agrees to Line of Adjacency to keep Guatemalan squatters out of Belize's forested interior; Belize and Mexico are working to solve minor border demarcation discrepancies arising from inaccuracies in the 1898 border treaty`
Trafficking in persons: |  |

`
current situation: Belize is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; the most common form of trafficking in Belize is the internal sex trafficking of minors; some Central American men, women, and children, particularly from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, migrate voluntarily to Belize in search of work but are subsequently subjected to conditions of forced labor or forced prostitution
tier rating: Belize is placed on Tier 2 Watch List because it does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; despite efforts to raise public awareness of human trafficking and provide protection services for trafficking victims, the government did not show evidence of progress in convicting and sentencing trafficking offenders last year (2009)
`

Illicit drugs: |  |
`transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis, primarily for local consumption; offshore sector money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and other crimes (2008)`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011