Belize City, Belmopan

CAPITAL CITY OF Belize: Belmopan
LANGUAGE OF Belize: English
CURRENCY OF Belize: Belizean dollar (BZD)
COMMENTS ABOUT Belize:
Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, is the only official English-speaking country in Central America.
Cities : Belmopan (capital), Belize City, Big Creek, Corozal, Crooked Tree, Dangriga, Orange Walk, Placencia, Punta Gorda, San Ignacio, San Pedro
Best Places : The Swing Bridge, Memorial Park, Altun Ha, Cahal Pech, Caracol Lamanai, Lubaantun, Xunantunich
Electricity : 110/60Hz (North American plug)
Calling Code : +501
Time Zone : UTC-6
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 increased urban crime.
CLIMATE OF Belize: The climate is tropical and generally very hot and humid. The rainy season lasts from May to November and hurricanes and floods are frequent natural hazards.
RELIGION OF Belize: Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Anglican 5.3%, Methodist 3.5%, Mennonite 4.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Pentecostal 7.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), none 9.4%, other 14% (2000)
POPULATION OF Belize: 272,945 (July 2004 est.)>>
ECONOMY OVERVIEW OF Belize: In this small, essentially private enterprise economy the tourism industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by cane sugar, citrus, marine products, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth of 6.5% in 1999, 10.8% in 2000, 4.6% in 2001, and 3.7% in 2002. 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.