
	One World Nations Online

Home

Earth

Continents

The Americas

Belize

___ Belize

Lamanai - Jaguar Temple, it is a Mesoamerican archaeological site, once a major city of the Maya civilization, today a major tourist attraction.
Image: Martin Falbisoner

Flag of Belize

Location map of Belize

Destination Belize, a country on the eastern coast of northern Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea in east. It was known as British Honduras until 1973. Belize was granted independence on 21 September 1981, it is since then a Commonwealth realm, with Queen Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state.

Border countries are Guatemala and Mexico, and it shares maritime borders with Honduras.

The country occupies an area of 22,966 km², it is about twice the size of Estonia, or slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Massachusetts.

Belize has a population of just 361,000 (census 2015), making it the least populated nation in Central America.
Capital city is Belmopan, largest city is Belize City. Spoken languages are English (official), Kriol, Spanish, Garifuna, and Maya.

On this page you will find comprehensive information about Belize in its diversity: geography, economy, science, people, culture, environment, government, and history.

Belize

Country Profile

Background:
Belize lies on the eastern or Caribbean coast of Central America, bounded on the north and part of the west by Mexico, and on the south and the remainder of the west by Guatemala. Belize is the most sparsely populated nation in Central America otherwise a melting pot of many races with an estimated population of approximately 274 000.

Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992.

border countries: Guatemala, Mexico

related countries: United Kingdom

other Central American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama

Official Name:
Belize
formerly: British Honduras

ISO Country Code: bz

Time:
Local Time = UTC -6h
Actual Time: Sun-Mar-23 11:54

Country Calling Code: +501

Capital City: Belmopan (pop. 2010 census 16,500)

Other Cities:
Belize City (57,000), Corozal (10,000), Orange Walk (14,000), San Ignacio & Santa Elena (18,000), Dangriga (9,500), Punta Gorda (5,000), San Pedro (11,000).

Government:
Type: Parliamentary democracy
Independence: 21 September 1981 from the UK.
Constitution: 21 September 1981.

Geography:
Location: Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico.
Area (mainland and cayes): 23,000 km²
(8,867 sq. mi.)
Terrain: plain coastline covered with mangrove swamps, low mountains in interior, highest point Doyle's Delight (1124 m).

Climate: Tropical, hot and humid. Rainy season May to November; dry season February to May.

People:
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Belizean(s).
Population: 361,000 (2015)
GNI per capita PPP: $ 7 635 (year)
Ethnic groups: Mestizo, Creole, Ketchi, Yucatec and Mopan Mayas, Garifuna and East Indian.
Religions: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, other Protestant, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist.
Languages: English (official), Creole, Spanish, Garifuna, Mayan.
Literacy: 76%.

Natural resources: Arable land, timber, seafood, minerals.

Agriculture Products: Sugar, citrus fruits and juices, bananas, mangoes, papayas, honey, corn, beans, rice, cattle (12.7% of GDP).

Industries: Garment production, food processing, tourism, construction.

Exports partners: UK 30.8%, USA 18.7%, Nigeria 6.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.8%, Ireland 4.2%, Jamaica 4.2% (2015)

Imports partners: USA 26.6%, Mexico 11.7%, Cuba 10.2%, Guatemala 9%, China 7.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 5.6% (2015)

Currency: Belizean Dollar (BZD)

Parliament of Belize, Belmopan
Image: Haakon S. Krohn

Note: External links will open in a new browser window.

Maps

Map of Belize
Political map of Belize.

Google Earth Belize
Searchable map and satellite view of Belize.

Google Earth Belmopan
Searchable map and satellite view of Belize's capital city.

Map of Central America and the Caribbean
Reference Map of Central America and the Caribbean.


News Belize Times Belize's weekly newspaper, voice of the new government. Channel5Belize.com Channel5 with Belize news. The Guardian News from Belize. LoveFM News and music power from Belize. The Reporter Local News.	Bookmark/share this page

Arts & Culture

The Belize International Film Festival
Festival for Caribbean and Central American filmmakers.
MayaViewkeeper
Site about the indigenous Mopan and Q´eqchi´ Maya of Southern Belize.
Belize Kriol
Official Website of the National Kriol Council of Belize
Seine Bight Village
Site about the Garifuna village and culture.
Garifuna Cultural Survival
The story of the Garinagu of the Garifuna nation.

Lamanai Maya Temple Belize
© Belize Tourism Board


Business & Economy Central Bank of Belize Official website ofthe bank offers information on Belize's economic and financial system. Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry The "One Stop" business connection for Belize. Transportation Airline Maya Island Air Local carrier. Tropic Air Belize's largest airline.

Flight over the famous Great Blue Hole in Belize. The giant submarine sinkhole is located off the coast of Belize about 75 km east of Belize city.
Image: Seann McAuliffe

Travel and Tour Consumer Information

Destination Belize - Country Guides

Discover Belize: Ambergris Caye (Belize's largest island); Great Blue Hole (giant submarine sinkhole); Xunantunich (Ancient Maya archaeological site);

Find accommodation, hotels, attractions, festivals, events, tourist boards, cruising, diving, hiking, adventure tours and much more.

Belize
Catch the Adventure - The Official Web Site of the Belize Tourism Board.

Belize
Guided vacation tours of Belize.

AmbergrisCaye
Travel and tourist information on Belize.
Belizean Journeys
A glimpse into Belize, an in-depth look into the more remote and unknown world's of Belize.
Belize by Naturalight
A Belize portal with comprehensive country and travel information.
Southern Belize
Extensive information about travel and tourism of Southern Belize.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Belize

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System
The largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere with offshore atolls, several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons and estuaries.


Education University of Belize (UB) University of Belize Home Page. The University of Belize is a national, autonomous and multi-location institution in Belize. UB's main campus is located in the capital city, Belmopan.

Green Iguana in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary of Belize. The sanctuary is a protected area in Belize, it is recognized as a Wetland of International Importance.
Image: Bernard Dupont

Environment & Nature

Belize National Parks, Natural Reserves, & Wildlife Sanctuaries
This guide explores the most popular state reserves, covering all the main habitats, from all areas of the country - from spectacular Toledo District to the forest highlands of Mountain Pine Ridge, and the Five Blues Lake National Park, to the corals of the reef, atolls and cayes.

Toledo Ecotourism Association
The Toledo Ecotourism Association is one of the first and most successful Community-Based Ecotourism operators in the region.


History History of Belize Wikipedia about Belizes history. A Brief History of Belize From Mayan civilisation until the 20th century. A History of Belize Comprehensive site about the history of Belize.


Issues Belize Belize-Guatemala Territorial Issue The Anglo-Belize/Guatemala Territorial Issue - The Cost of Conflict: A treaty on the history and present day implications of the Belize-Guatemala Territorial Issue.

Search

BelizeNet
Directory of Belize related sites.

LANIC Belize
Latin American Network Information Center - Resources

Sources and additional Information on Belize:

Amnesty International: Belize

BBC Country Profile: Belize

FAO: Belize

GlobalEDGE: Belize

The Heritage Foundation: Belize

Human Rights Watch: Belize

OEC: Belize

Reporters Without Borders: Belize

The Commonwealth: Belize

Wikipedia: Belize

Worldbank Data: Belize

The World Factbook -- Belize

___ Belize

Belize

Country Profile

Official Sites of Belize

Maps

News

Arts & Culture

Business & Economy

Destination Belize - Country Guides

Education

Environment & Nature

History

Search