World Atlas: Belize. On this page you can see the map, country flag and many detailed information about the people, history and economy of Belize.
Here you can find online selected information about the geography, inhabitants, government, economy and history of Belize. Included are selected statistics, an overview map and the detailed map of Belize. But let's start with the flag of Belize here:
Belize - Overview:
What you should know about Belize? Let's start with this: 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 1862. 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. 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 HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Central America.
Geography of Belize
Where on the globe is Belize? The location of this country is Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico. Total area of Belize is 22,966 sq km, of which 22,806 sq km is land. So this is not a large country. How could we describe the terrain of the country? This way: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south. The lowest point of Belize is Caribbean Sea 0 m, the highest point Doyle's Delight 1,124 m. And the climate is tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May).
Inhabitants of Belize
Let's take a look how many people live in Belize. The number is: 360,346 (July 2017 est.). So not so many people live here. Who lives here? mestizo 52.9%, Creole 25.9%, Maya 11.3%, Garifuna 6.1%, East Indian 3.9%, Mennonite 3.6%, white 1.2%, Asian 1%, other 1.2%, unknown 0.3%. What are the languages in Belize? English 62.9% (official), Spanish 56.6%, Creole 44.6%, Maya 10.5%, German 3.2%, Garifuna 2.9%, other 1.8%, unknown 0.3%, none 0.2% (cannot speak). And the religions: Roman Catholic 40.1%, Protestant 31.5% (includes Pentecostal 8.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 4.7%, Mennonite 3.7%, Baptist 3.6%, Methodist 2.9%, Nazarene 2.8%), Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 10.5% (includes Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, Mormon, Muslim, Rastafarian, Salvation Army), unspecified 0.6%, none 15.5% (2010 est.). How old are the people in average? 22.7 years. We have to add that this number is the median - so one half of the people is older than this, one half is younger. And what is their life expectancy (at birth)? This: 68.9 years. Where the people live in Belize? Here: approximately 25% to 30% of the population lives in the former capital, Belize City; over half of the overall population is rural; population density is slightly higher in the north and east. The major urban areas of Belize are: Belmopan (capital) 17,000 (2014).
Government and Economy of Belize
The capital of Belize is Belmopan and the government type parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm. Let's take a look at the administrative divisions - 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo. Regarding the economy of Belize, important industrial products are garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil. Important agricultural products are bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumbe. The most important export commodities are sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood, crude oil and the most important export partners are Burma 30.7%, US 22.6%, UK 19.3% (2016). The most important import commodities are machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco and the most important import partners are US 37.2%, China 11.6%, Mexico 10.8%, Guatemala 7% (2016). How rich is Belize and how rich are people in this country? The most important number here is GDP per capita (PPP): $8,300 (2017 est.). This is quite a low number. Let's add that this means Gross Domestic Product per person, which is recalculated with respect to the relative cost of local goods and services. And one more important number - population below poverty line: 41% (2013 est.).