| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Central America and the Caribbean |
| Geographical Location |
17° 15' North Latitude
88° 45' West Longitude |
| Surface Area |
22,966 sq km |
| Climate |
Tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) |
| Natural Resources |
Arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower |
|
| Political Information |
 |
|
| Country Name |
Belize |
| Capital City |
Belmopan |
| Government Type |
Parliamentary democracy |
| Administrative Divisions |
6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo |
| Independence Day |
21 September 1981 (from UK) |
|
| Demographical Information |
|
|
| Population |
279,457 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Belizean |
| Ethnic Groups |
Mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% |
| Religion |
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 |
English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole |
| Population Growth Rate |
2.33% (2005 est.) |
|
| Economical Information |
|
|
| Currency |
Belizean dollar (BZD) |
| Industries |
Garment production, food processing, tourism, construction |
| Labor Force |
90,000 (2001 est.)
Note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Agriculture 27%, industry 18%, services 55% (2001 est.) |
| Agriculture Products |
Bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments |
| Export Commodities |
Sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood |
| Export Partners |
US 36.8%, UK 28.5%, Thailand 3.6% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco |
| Import Partners |
US 32.7%, Mexico 14.4%, Cuba 6.5%, Japan 4.7% (2004) |
|
| Transportation |
|
|
| Railways |
- |
| Highways |
2,872 km |
| Pipelines |
- |
| Airports |
43 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Belize City |
|
| Communication |
|
|
| Phone Code |
+501 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.bz |
|
| Other |
|
|
| Short History |
Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992.
Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plagued by high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increasing urban crime. |
|
| www.kfrawy.com |
