Belize

Government
Parliamentary democracy with the British Commonwealth.

Geography
Belize is situated on the Caribbean Sea, south of Mexico and east and north of Guatemala in Central America. Most of the country is heavily forested with various hardwoods. Mangrove swamps and cays along the coast give way to hills and mountains in the interior. The highest point is Victoria Peak (1,122 m).

Historical Background
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. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence.

• 1854 - Became the colony of British Honduras.
• 1992 - Recognised as new Nation.
• In the 2008 parliamentary elections, the United Democratic Party won 57% of the vote (25 of 31 seats) and the People's United Party 41% (6 seats). Turnout was 74.5%. Dean Barrow was sworn in as prime minister on February 8.

Capital

Belmopan

Government

Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy
 -  Monarch Elizabeth II
 -  Governor-General Sir Colville Young
 -  Prime Minister Dean Barrow

Language

Spanish

National Holiday

Good Friday and Easter Sunday

Religion

Christian

Area

Total 22,966 km2 (150th) 8,867 sq mi  Water (%) 0.7

Population

2010 estimate 333,200[1] (174th) Density 15/km2 (198th²) 38/sq mi

Currency

Belize dollar (BZD)

National Day

September 21

GDP

2009 estimate Total $2.575 billion Per capita $7,841