Belize
Belize is a country in Central America. It is known for its rich biodiversity, ancient Maya ruins, and beautiful coastlines. and vibrant culture.
Belize is a country in Central America. It is known for its rich biodiversity, ancient Maya ruins, and beautiful coastlines. and vibrant culture.
Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1862. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992, and the two countries are still involved in an ongoing border dispute. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include the country's heavy foreign debt burden, high crime rates, high unemployment combined with a majority youth population, growing involvement in the Mexican and South American drug trade, and one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Central America.
Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
17 15 N, 88 45 W
Central America and the Caribbean
total: 22,966 sq km
land: 22,806 sq km
water: 160 sq km
highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,124 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 173 m
tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (June to November); dry season (February to May)
mostly low coastal plains with some low hills and mountains in south-central interior
timber, hydropower, marine products, petroleum
agricultural land: 18.91% (2023 est.)
arable land: 6.97% (2023 est.)
permanent crops: 4.03% (2023 est.)
permanent pasture: 7.91% (2023 est.)
forest: 60.48% (2023 est.)
other: 20.61% (2023 est.)
total: 419,199 (2025 est.)
male: 200,415
female: 218,784
comparison rankings: total 194; male 196; female 191
Mestizo 52.9%, Creole 25.9%, Maya 11.3% (includes Yucatec, Mopan, and Q'eqchi' groups), Garifuna 6.1%, East Indian 3.9%, other 0.8% (2010 est.)
English (official), Belizean Creole
Roman Catholic 40.1%, Protestant 31.5% (Pentecostal 10.3%, Anglican 6.1%, Seventh-day Adventist 4.1%, Methodist 3.7%, Mennonite 2.5%, Church of God 2.4%), other 4.4%, none 23.9% (2010 est.)
0-14 years: 20.21% (male 84,537/female 80,980)
15-24 years: 15.94% (male 67,720/female 64,784)
25-54 years: 40.16% (male 169,226/female 162,784)
55-64 years: 12.12% (male 51,184/female 54,098)
65 years and over: 11.57% (male 40,384/female 48,093) (2025 est.)
conventional long form: Belize
conventional short form: Belize
former: British Honduras
etymology: traditionally believed to be derived from the Spanish pronunciation of the last name of Scottish
explorer Peter Wallace,
who settled in the area in 1638; alternatively, may be named for the Belize River, whose name possibly derives
from the Maya word "belix," meaning "muddy-watered"
parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
name: Belmopan
geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W
time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name is formed from two words: "Belize," the name of the longest river in the country, and
"Mopan," one of the rivers in the area that empties into the Belize River
6 districts: Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court and Court of Appeal; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations