Belize
|
| Basic Facts |
| Country name |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras |
| Gevernment type | parliamentary democracy |
| Capital |
name: Belmopan
geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
| 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 |
| Currency | Belizean dollar (BZD) |
| Internet country code | .bz |
| Ports and terminals | Belize City |
| Agriculture products | bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments |
| Industries | garment production, food processing, tourism, construction |
| Geography |
| Location | Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico |
| Coordinates | 17 15 N, 88 45 W |
| Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
| Area |
total: 22,966 sq km
land: 22,806 sq km water: 160 sq km |
| Boundaries |
total: 516 km
border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km |
| Coastline | 386 km |
| 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 |
| Natural resources | arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower |
| Natural hazards | frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south) |
| People |
| Population | 287,730 (July 2006 est.) |
| Ethnic groups | mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% |
| 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 | English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole |
