About Belize

Belize the only officially English speaking country in Central America, although Spanish is common throughout the country and all Belizeans speak the local Kriol English, a common feature of the Caribbean. With 8,867 square miles (22,960 km²) of territory and 314,275 people (2007 mid year estimate), the population density is the lowest in the Central American region and one of the lowest in the world at only 34 people per square mile (13 km²). It is bordered to the south and west by Guatemala, to the north and northwest by Mexico and to the east by the Caribbean Sea. It could be said that Belize is the only main land nation in the whole of the Caribbean region and shares characteristics closer to nearby Caribbean islands as opposed to its Central American neighbours. 

Belize is a parliamentary democracy and a member of the Commonwealth. The structure of government is based on the British parliamentary system, and the legal system is modeled on the common law of England. The current head of state is the Queen of Belize, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, who is represented in the country by the Governor-General, Sir Colville Young. The Cabinet, led by a prime minister, Right Honorable Dean Barrow, who is head of the Government, acting as an advisor to the Governor-General, in practice exercise executive authority. Cabinet ministers are members of the majority political party in parliament and usually hold elected seats within it concurrent with their cabinet positions.

The two legislative chambers of the Government (National Assembly) are the House of Representatives and the Senate. The twenty-nine members of the House are popularly elected to a maximum five-year term and introduce legislation affecting the development of Belize. The Governor-General appoints the twelve members of the Senate, with a Senate president selected by the members. The Senate is responsible for debating and approving bills passed by the House.

Belize is a full participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

According to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook, Belize has the highest unemployment rate in the whole of Central America at 9.4%. The population living below the poverty-line is 33.5%.

The small, essentially private enterprise economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industries, and merchandising, with tourism and construction continually assuming a greater role in the national economy. Sugar, the chief crop, accounts for nearly half of exports, while the banana industry is the country's largest employer. Citrus production has become a major industry along the Hummingbird Highway. More recently, discoveries of petroleum deposits in the Cayo District and possible deposits in the Toledo District have radically altered Belize's previously untapped mining and manufacturing capabilities.

The ruling government's big monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth of 6.4% in 1999 and 10.5% in 2000. Growth decelerated in 2001 to 3% because of the global slowdown and severe hurricane damage to agriculture, fishing and tourism. Growth in 2005 was 3.8%. Major concerns continue to be the rapidly expanding trade deficit and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors.