From 1964 onward British control over British Honduras was confined to defense, internal security, and the terms and conditions of public service. In 1973 the colony’s name was changed to Belize in anticipation of independence. Full independence was achieved on Sept. 21 1981.
On September 25, 1981, Belize was admitted as a member of the United Nations. Also on Sept. 25th Belize became a full member of the Non-Aligned Movement, after being a member with “special status” since 1976. On Independence Day Belize was also admitted to membership of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Belize lies on the eastern or Caribbean coast of Central America, bounded on the north and part of the west by Mexico, and on the south and the remainder of the west by Guatemala. The inner coastal waters are shallow and are sheltered by a line of coral reefs, dotted with islets called cayes’, extending almost the entire length of the country. Belize is known for its world class scuba diving, snorkeling and sailing over colorful coral in the atolls located on the largest barrier reef in the hemisphere…
Geography:
Area 22,963 sq km (8,866 sq. miles) slightly larger than Massachusetts. Capital: Belmopan (pop. 4,500). Belize borders the Caribbean Sea along the eastern shore of Central America just below the Yucatan Peninsula. It is bounded on the north and west by Mexico and on the south and west by Guatemala.
The Caribbean Sea lies to the east and from the air its turquoise waters are clear, allowing the multicolored coral formation of the Great Barrier Reef to be easily observed. Coral islands called cayes, covered with stands of mangrove trees, dot the coast. The country’s greatest length from north to south is 280 kilometers and its greatest width is 109 kilometers North of Belize lies the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The Rio Hondo, which empties into Chetumal Bay, is the border between the two countries. The eastern border is demarcated by a surveyed line through the jungle separating Belize from the El Peten Department of Guatemala. To the south, the Belize/Guatemalan border is the Rio Sarstoon which flows east to the Caribbean Sea.
Southern Belize is the site of large plantations that grow citrus, an important export. Rising out of the palm-covered coastal plain of southern Belize are the Maya Mountains. Mostly unexplored, they are covered by verdant jungle and a canopy of tropical rain clouds. The higher elevation (1,500-2,700 feet) provides spectacular falls for the many streams that lace the land.
The climate is sub-tropical, tempered by trade winds. Temperatures in coastal districts range from about 10*C (50*F) to about 35.6*C (96*F); inland the range is greater. The dry season usually extends from February to May.
Government type:
Parliamentary Democracy. The laws of Belize are based on the English legal system together with locally enacted legislation. There is a Supreme Court and a Court of Appeal.
Entry Requirements for Visitors:
Belize welcomes visitors and makes every effort is made to keep immigration formality to a minimum. All visitors need passports to enter the country. It should be valid for at least six months beyond the duration of the intended stay in the country. A 30-day visa will be issued on arrival, and extensions (up to six months) may be obtained from any Immigration Office for a fee of BZ$25 for every 30 days. British subjects (Commonwealth citizens) and citizens of the U.S.A., Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway and colonies, Panama, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, and Venezuela do not need visas.
Currency:
The official currency is the Belize Dollar (BZD) which has a fixed rate of 2 to 1 USD. Two BZD=1 USD
Population and Language:
There are approximately 230,000 people in Belize, one-half of whom live in cities and towns along the coast. Of the population, almost 30% live in Belize City, the commercial capital of the country. Languages include English (official), Spanish, Maya, and Garifuna (Carib). All school children do speak English, and all business and government activities on the island are conducted in English. However, a few words of Spanish will go a long way. Fifty-eight percent of the population is under the age of nineteen. Belize Radio One broadcasts about 80% of its programs in English and the remainder in Spanish. It has now introduced programs in Garifuna and Maya.
Religions:
The Constitution provides for the freedom of religion. Of the different religions Roman Catholic makes up 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist 6%, Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Jehovah’s Witnesses 1%, other 2%),
The Economy:
The economy of Belize was traditionally based on forestry, mainly the export of logwood, mahogany and chicle. The country’s economy is now based on agricultural development. But in recent years there has been resurgence in forestry. The main exports arc sugar, citrus, bananas, fish products (mainly lobster), timber and garments.
Dairy farming is growing in importance and the livestock industry continues to grow.
Several oil companies hold exploration or prospecting licenses. Oil was discovered in the north of the country in 1981, but not in commercial quantities.
Tax concessions and other incentives encourage the development and diversification of manufacturing industries which include clothing and textiles for export, plywood and veneer manufacturing, matches, beer, rum, soft drinks, furniture, boat building, and battery assembly.
Electricity:
Belize provides both 110 and 220 volt electrical service. Many of the hotels offer 110 volt service. Be sure to ask before using electrical items.
Tourism and Infrastructure:
Tourism has expanded into big business for Belize. Work on a new terminal at the Phillip S. W. Godson International Airport is completed as well as the resurfacing of the runway and expansion of the apron. A second International airport, the Placencia North airport, is currently under construction and slated to open in late 2012. Regular international services to Belize are maintained by several airlines to and from the US and Europe.
A promotional campaign has been launched aimed at the eco tourism sector. Belize is blessed with the second largest barrier reef in the world, three of the four atolls in the Caribbean, Maya ruins, a large network of caves on land and in the sea, a wide variety of animals-including the endangered Jaguar, 500 species of birds, and colorful flora and fauna.
Belize has four major highways, the Northern Highway connecting Belize City with Chetumal on the Mexican Border. The Western Highway which connects Belize City with Belmopan and continues to the border with Guatemala. The Southern Highway linking the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts. And, finally the Hummingbird Highway. All principal towns and villages are linked by roads to Belmopan and Belize City. Regular bus services operate to and from all main towns.
Sea:
The main port is Belize City, now equipped with a modem deep-water port able to handle containerized shipping. Nine major shipping lines move cargo to and from Belize to Central and North America, Europe and Japan.
Telecommunications and Broadcasting:
The Belize Telecommunications Limited (BTL) owns the automatic telephone service which covers the entire country. BTL operates a regional service to Mexico, Guatemala and Central and South America, as well as all other external services. A recent expansion program has doubled the capacity of the telephone system. A satellite earth station in Belmopan provides high quality telecommunications with the outside world. The Office of Telecommunications acts on behalf of the Government in monitoring and regulating all telecommunication services within Belize, including the assignment of frequencies.
The Belize Broadcasting Network (B.B.N.), the national broadcasting service, is presently operated by Government. It comprises two radio stations, namely Belize Radio One and Friends FM, and a small video production unit known as B.B.N. teleproductions. Both radio stations are semi-commercial, and broadcasts are in English and Spanish. There are several newspapers and periodicals published in Belize. Among the leading newspapers, all weeklies are: The Belize Times, The People’s Pulse and The Reporter. The Government Information Service publishes a monthly magazine Belize Today, which is free.
Social Services:
Health
Belize is relatively free of endemic diseases. Malaria, like in all other Central American countries, continues to be a problem requiring constant surveillance. There are seven government hospitals, one in Belmopan, one in Belize City, and one in each of the other five districts. A new hospital is to be built in Belize City by Government. Medical services in rural areas are provided by rural health care centers and mobile clinics operate in remote areas.
Education
The Belize literacy rate is over 90 per cent, one of the highest in this area. Education is compulsory for children aged between 6 and 14. Primary education is free.