Belize, State of Central America; 23,000 km2, 383,000 residents (2019).Belize borders in the north to Mexico and in the west and south to Guatemala, which has long claimed this area. The capital is Belmopan (23,000 residents, 2019).
Country facts
- Belize / Belize
- Country abbreviation: BZ
- Area: 23 000 km2
- Population (2019): 383,000 residents
- Capital: Belmopan
- Main languages: English, Spanish
- State: Monarchy
- Head of State: Elizabeth II (Queen)
- Head of Government: Dean Barrow
- Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 5,025
- GNI per capita (2018): US $ 4,720
- Currency unit: 1 Belize dollar = 100 cents
- Currency code: BZD
- Country number (telephony): 501
- Internet domain name: bz
- Time difference compared to Sweden: −7
- National Day: September 21 (Independence Day, 1981)
Nature
- Land use: forest (44%), agricultural land (2%), other (54%)
- Highest mountain: Victoria Peak (1,122 m above sea level)
- Longest river: Belize River (290 km)
Population
- Population density (2019): 17 residents per km2
- Natural population growth (2019): 1.6%; birth number 21 ‰, death number 5 ‰
- Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (36%), 15-64 (60%), 65- (4%)
- Average life expectancy (2019): men 71 years, women 77 years
- Infant mortality (2019): 14 per 1,000 live births
- Population forecast 2050: 600,000 residents
- HDI (2017): 0.708 (place 106 of 189)
- Urbanization rate (2019): 45%
- Most populous cities (2019): Belize City (63,400 residents), Belmopan (23,000), San Ignacio (22,300)
Business
- Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (10%), industry (22%), service (68%)
- Exports (2017): US $ 458 million
- Main export products: sugar, bananas, citrus fruits
- Main exporting countries: United Kingdom, USA, Jamaica
- Imports (2017): US $ 846 million
- Main import products: machinery, industrial products, fuel
- Main trading partners: USA, China, Mexico
- Railway network: nothing in operation
Belize is in its northern part a marshy lowland while the southern part is occupied by the Mayan mountains. Outside the coastline runs a large barrier reef. The climate is subtropical with rainy and dry times.
The country is an independent state within the Commonwealth. The British monarch is head of state and is represented by a Belizian governor-general. Parliament consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate is appointed by the Governor-General, while the House of Representatives is elected by majority vote for five years. Belize became an independent state in 1981, but only in 1991 did the Guatemalan government recognize its independence.
Of the land area, only a few percent are agricultural land, but the industry accounts for a quarter of exports. The main products are sugar and citrus fruits. The economy is now dominated by the tourism industry, and tourist-related activities on the coral islands off the coast are the country’s most important source of income.
Belize Map
