295,000 people live in the Central American
country of Belize. Although it is located in Central America it has
more in common with the Caribbean than with its neighbors. Belize
is the only Central American country without a coastline on the
North Pacific Ocean. It is bordered by Mexico to the North, and
surrounded by Guatemala to the south, and west. To the east is the
Caribbean Sea. Guatemala continues to claim parts of Belize, and
did not recognize it as an independent nation until 1991, ten years
after it gained independence from the United Kingdom.
Belize
has a lot in common, culturally with the Caribbean islands. This is
reflected in its major languages, English and Creole, and in its
Anglo-Caribbean architecture. It also has people and culture found
elsewhere in the Americas including: Spanish speaking Mestizos, who
are of mixed Maya Indian and European ancestry, Creoles, who speak a
Creole dialect of English and who are often of African and
African-European descent, and Garifuna, who are the descendants of
Carib Indians and Africans.
Belize
is slightly smaller than the U.S. state Massachusetts; it is a flat,
swampy coastal plain, with some low mountains in the South. The
climate is tropical, very hot and humid. Rainy season lasts from
May to November, and dry season from February to May. Much of the
country is covered in Rainforest, and tourism is a major source of
foreign currency. Belize’s attractions include wildlife, Mayan
ruins and one of the longest Barrier Reefs in the world. More than
200 islands nestle the reef. A major geographic problem for Belize
is their susceptibility to frequent and devastating hurricanes. In
the 1930’s Belize City was largely destroyed by a hurricane, then in
1961 Hurricane Hattie killed more than 260 people, in 2000 Hurricane
Keith caused widespread devastation, Belize city was destroyed by a
Hurricane in 1930 in 1970 it was replaced by Belmopan as the
capital.
Belize
was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the
end of the first millennium. The British and Spanish disputed the
region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it became the British
Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes with Guatemala delayed its
independence until September 21, 1981.
Belize
is a Parliamentary Democracy. Its Chief of State is Queen Elizabeth
II, represented by Governor General Sir Collvile Young, the head of
government is Prime Minister Said Musa. The National Assembly
consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The House is
elected by voters, while the Senate is appointed by various
government institutions.
Belize
is essentially a private enterprise economy, with tourism as the
number one foreign exchange earner followed by marine products,
citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. Although the economy of
Belize is growing steadily, it faces major problems including: a
sizable trade deficit and unsustainable national debt. Also, 34% of
the population lives below the poverty level. Belize’s national
budget is $302.5 million dollars, while their expenditures are $357
million. They export $360 million in sugar, bananas, citrus, fish
products, molasses, and wood. Their main export partners are the
U.S., the U.K., France and Jamaica. They import 543 million in
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, fuels,
chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food; beverages, tobacco. Their main
import partners are Mexico, Russia, Cuba, and Guatemala.
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