PROFILE

OFFICIAL NAME:
Belize

Geography
Area: 22,966 sq. km. (8,867 sq. mi.); slightly larger than Massachusetts.
Cities: Capital--Belmopan (2005 pop. est. 13,500) Other cities and towns--Belize City (60,800), Corozal (8,800), Orange Walk (15,300), San Ignacio & Santa Elena (16,800), Dangriga (10,800), Punta Gorda (5,000), and San Pedro (8,400).
Terrain: Flat and swampy coastline, low mountains in interior.
Climate: Subtropical (dry and wet seasons). Hot and humid. Rainfall ranges from 60 inches in the north to 200 inches in the south annually.

People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Belizean(s).
Population (2005 est.): 291,800.
Annual growth rate (2005.): 3.3%.
Ethnic groups: Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, Mayan.
Religions: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, other Protestant, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist.
Languages: English (official), Creole, Spanish, Garifuna, Mayan.
Education: Years compulsory--9. (2000 est.): Attendance--60%. Literacy--76.5%.
Health: (2003): Infant mortality rate--14.8/1,000. Life expectancy--67.4 years.
Work force (April 2005, 110,786): Services--62.3%. Agriculture, hunting, forestry, and fishing--22.4%. Industry and commerce--15.3%.

Government
Type: Parliamentary democracy
Independence: September 21, 1981.
Constitution: September 21, 1981.
Branches: Executive--British monarch (head of state), represented by a governor general; prime minister (head of government, 5-year term). Legislative--bicameral National Assembly. Judicial--Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, district magistrates.
Subdivisions: Six districts.
Political parties: People's United Party (PUP), United Democratic Party (UDP), National Alliance for Belizean Rights (NABR). National Reform Party (NRP), Vision Inspired By the People (VIP).
Suffrage: Universal adult.

Economy
GDP (2005): $1.79 billion.
Annual growth rate (2005): 5.1%; (2004): 9.2%.
Per capita income (2005): $3,650.
Avg. inflation rate (2005): 3.7%.
Natural resources: Arable land, timber, seafood, minerals.
Primary sectors (13.1% of GDP, 2005): Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining.
Secondary sectors (14.7% of GDP, 2005): Manufacturing, electricity and water supply, and construction.
Tertiary sectors (63.2% of GDP, 2005): Hotels and restaurants, financial intermediation, and transport and communication.
Trade: Exports (2005)--$212.83 million: cane sugar, clothing, citrus concentrate, lobster, fish, banana, and farmed shrimp. Major markets--U.S. (52.2%), U.K., CARICOM. Imports (2005)--$518.83 million: food, consumer goods, machinery, mineral fuels and lubricants. Major suppliers--U.S. (39%), Mexico, U.K.
Official exchange rate: Since 1976 Belizean banks have bought U.S. dollars at the rate of 2.0175 and sold them at 1.9825, making for an effective fixed rate of Belize $2=U.S. $1.

PEOPLE
Belize is the most sparsely populated nation in Central America. It is larger than El Salvador and compares in size to the State of Massachusetts. Slightly more than half of the population lives in rural areas. About one-fourth live in Belize City, the principal port, commercial center, and former capital.

Most Belizeans are of multiracial descent. About 48.7% of the population is of mixed Mayan and European descent (Mestizo); 24.9% are of African and Afro-European (Creole) ancestry; about 10.6% are Mayan; and about 6.1% are Afro-Amerindian (Garifuna). The remainder, about 9.7%, includes European, East Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and North American groups.