About
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.
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Source: The World Factbook
Population: 279,457 (July 2005 est.)
Capital: Belmopan
Languages: English (official), Spanish, Mayan,
Garifuna (Carib), Creole
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)
Government: parliamentary democracy
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
Geography: only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
Ethnic groups: mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%,
Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%
Economy: 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.
GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,800 (2005 est.)
GDP real growth: 3.8% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: 12.9% (2003)
Internet country code: .bz
Dial code: +501
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Local currency is the Belize Dollar
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