Belize is located in Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico.
Belize has borders with Guatemala for 266km and Mexico for 250km.
Land in Belize is flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south.
Belizean land covers an area of 22966 square kilometers which is slightly smaller than Massachusetts
As for the Belizean climate; tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May).
Belizean(s) speak English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole.
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Belize City San Ignacio Orange Walk Belmopan Dangriga Corozal | San Pedro Benque Viejo del Carmen Punta Gorda Valley of Peace |
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Belize Belize (general) Cayo Corozal | Orange Walk Stann Creek Toledo |
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. Current concerns include high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increasing urban crime.
In this small, essentially private-enterprise economy the tourism industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 5% in 1999-2005. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors.
Belizean natural resources include arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
Belizean religion is 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).
Natural hazards in Belize include frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south).