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Belize is a [[Central America]]n country. Its official [[language]] is [[English]]. The capital is Belmopan; the largest city, main seaport and former capital is Belize City (1993 pop 46,342). The name Belize is believed to derive from a [[Spanish]] adaptation of the name Wallace, after the Scottish traveller Peter Wallace who settled in 1640 at the mouth of what was to become the Belize River.

'''Belize''' is a [[Central America]]n country. Its official [[language]] is [[English]]. The capital is Belmopan; the largest city, main seaport and former capital is Belize City (1993 pop 46,342). The name Belize is believed to derive from a [[Spanish]] adaptation of the name Wallace, after the Scottish traveller Peter Wallace who settled in 1640 at the mouth of what was to become the Belize River.

==People==

==People==

*Religions: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, other Protestant, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist.

*Religions: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, other Protestant, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist.

*Languages: English (official), Creole, Spanish, Garifuna, Mayan.

*Languages: English (official), Creole, Spanish, Garifuna, Mayan.

*Education: Years compulsory--9. (2005 est.): Attendance--60%. Literacy--76.5%.

*Education: Years compulsory—9. (2005 est.): Attendance—60%. Literacy—76.5%.

*Health: (2003): Infant mortality rate--14.8/1,000. Life expectancy--67.4 years.

*Health: (2003): Infant mortality rate—14.8/1,000. Life expectancy—67.4 years.

*Work force (April 2006, 112,806): Services--60%. Agriculture, hunting, forestry, and fishing--22%. Industry and commerce--16%.  

*Work force (April 2006, 112,806): Services—60%. Agriculture, hunting, forestry, and fishing—22%. Industry and commerce—16%.  

==Government==

==Government==

===Political Conditions===

===Political Conditions===

[[File:Belize map.jpg|right|340px]]

[[File:Belize map.jpg|right|340px]]

Currently, the Belize Government is controlled by the People's United Party (PUP), which was elected to a second consecutive term in office on March 5, 2003. The PUP won 22 of the 29 seats in the House of Representatives, while the United Democratic Party (UDP) won the other seven seats. However, the PUP lost one seat in Parliament during a by-election held after the death of a minister in October 2003, but still maintains a comfortable majority. Dean Barrow is the leader of the opposition. The PUP has governed Belize from 1998 to the present; the UDP from 1993-98; the PUP from 1989-1993; and the UDP from 1984-89. Before 1984, the PUP had dominated the electoral scene for more than 30 years and was the party in power when Belize became independent in 1981.

Currently, the Belize Government is controlled by the People's United Party (PUP), which was elected to a second consecutive term in office on March 5, 2003. The PUP won 22 of the 29 seats in the House of Representatives, while the United Democratic Party (UDP) won the other seven seats. However, the PUP lost one seat in Parliament during a by-election held after the death of a minister in October 2003, but still maintains a comfortable majority. Dean Barrow is the leader of the opposition. The PUP has governed Belize from 1998 to the present; the UDP from 1993–98; the PUP from 1989-1993; and the UDP from 1984-89. Before 1984, the PUP had dominated the electoral scene for more than 30 years and was the party in power when Belize became independent in 1981.

The government continues to implement an economic adjustment program, with the aim of (1) increasing revenues, (2) decreasing public sector expenditures, (3) narrowing the fiscal deficit to 1% of GDP, (4) improving the balance of payments, and (5) increasing the country’s foreign reserves. Belize’s outstanding public debt at the end of 2006 was U.S. $1.10 billion, an amount that is equivalent to approximately 100% of GDP. However, on January 31, 2007 the Government of Belize officially announced that the holders of Belize’s public external commercial indebtedness have agreed to exchange their existing claims against the country for new bonds to be issued by Belize maturing in 2029. Belize traditionally maintains a deep interest in the environment and sustainable development. A lack of government resources seriously hampers these goals. On other fronts, the government is working to improve its law enforcement capabilities. A longstanding territorial dispute with Guatemala continues, although cooperation between the two countries has increased in recent years across a wide spectrum of common interests, including trade and environment. Seeing itself as a bridge, Belize is actively involved with the Caribbean nations of CARICOM, and also has taken steps to work more closely with its Central American neighbors as a member of SICA (Central American Integration System).

The government continues to implement an economic adjustment program, with the aim of (1) increasing revenues, (2) decreasing public sector expenditures, (3) narrowing the fiscal deficit to 1% of GDP, (4) improving the balance of payments, and (5) increasing the country’s foreign reserves. Belize’s outstanding public debt at the end of 2006 was U.S. $1.10 billion, an amount that is equivalent to approximately 100% of GDP. However, on January 31, 2007 the Government of Belize officially announced that the holders of Belize’s public external commercial indebtedness have agreed to exchange their existing claims against the country for new bonds to be issued by Belize maturing in 2029. Belize traditionally maintains a deep interest in the environment and sustainable development. A lack of government resources seriously hampers these goals. On other fronts, the government is working to improve its law enforcement capabilities. A longstanding territorial dispute with Guatemala continues, although cooperation between the two countries has increased in recent years across a wide spectrum of common interests, including trade and environment. Seeing itself as a bridge, Belize is actively involved with the Caribbean nations of CARICOM, and also has taken steps to work more closely with its Central American neighbors as a member of SICA (Central American Integration System).

===Principal Government Officials===

===Principal Government Officials===

*Head of State--Queen Elizabeth II

*Head of State—Queen Elizabeth II

*Governor General--Sir Colville N. Young, Sr.

*Governor General—Sir Colville N. Young, Sr.

*Prime Minister--Dean Oliver Barrow

*Prime Minister—Dean Oliver Barrow

*Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries--Vildo Marin

*Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries—Vildo Marin

*Minister of Home Affairs, Public Utilities and Housing--Ralph Fonseca

*Minister of Home Affairs, Public Utilities and Housing—Ralph Fonseca

*Attorney General and Minister of Labor, Education and Culture--Francis Fonseca

*Attorney General and Minister of Labor, Education and Culture—Francis Fonseca

*Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade--Lisa Shoman  

*Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade—Lisa Shoman  

*Ambassador to the United States--Nestor Mendez, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i.  

*Ambassador to the United States—Nestor Mendez, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i.  

*Ambassador to the OAS--Lisa Shoman

*Ambassador to the OAS—Lisa Shoman

*Ambassador to the United Nations--Janine Coye Felson  

*Ambassador to the United Nations—Janine Coye Felson  

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

Domestic industry is limited, constrained by relatively high-cost labor and energy and a small domestic market. Some 185 U.S. companies have operations in Belize, including Archer Daniels Midland, Texaco, and Esso. Tourism attracts the most foreign direct investment, although significant U.S. investment also is found in the telecommunications and agriculture sectors.

Domestic industry is limited, constrained by relatively high-cost labor and energy and a small domestic market. Some 185 U.S. companies have operations in Belize, including Archer Daniels Midland, Texaco, and Esso. Tourism attracts the most foreign direct investment, although significant U.S. investment also is found in the telecommunications and agriculture sectors.

A combination of natural factors--climate, the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, numerous islands, excellent fishing, safe waters for boating, jungle wildlife, and Mayan ruins--support the thriving tourist industry. Development costs are high, but the Government of Belize has designated tourism as one of its major development priorities. In 2006, tourist arrivals totaled 900,000 (more than 90% from the United States).

A combination of natural factors—climate, the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, numerous islands, excellent fishing, safe waters for boating, jungle wildlife, and Mayan ruins—support the thriving tourist industry. Development costs are high, but the Government of Belize has designated tourism as one of its major development priorities. In 2006, tourist arrivals totaled 900,000 (more than 90% from the United States).

Belize's investment policy is codified in the Belize Investment Guide, which sets out the development priorities for the country.  

Belize's investment policy is codified in the Belize Investment Guide, which sets out the development priorities for the country.  

*Secondary sectors (14.7% of GDP, 2005): Manufacturing, electricity and water supply, and construction.  

*Secondary sectors (14.7% of GDP, 2005): Manufacturing, electricity and water supply, and construction.  

*Tertiary sectors (63.2% of GDP, 2005): Hotels and restaurants, financial intermediation, and transport and communication.

*Tertiary sectors (63.2% of GDP, 2005): Hotels and restaurants, financial intermediation, and transport and communication.

*Trade: Exports (2005)--$212.83 million: cane sugar, clothing, citrus concentrate, lobster, fish, banana, and farmed shrimp. *Major markets--U.S. (52.2%), U.K., CARICOM. Imports (2005)--$518.83 million: food, consumer goods, machinery, mineral fuels and lubricants. Major suppliers--U.S. (39%), Mexico, U.K.  

*Trade: Exports (2005)--$212.83 million: cane sugar, clothing, citrus concentrate, lobster, fish, banana, and farmed shrimp. *Major markets—U.S. (52.2%), U.K., CARICOM. Imports (2005)--$518.83 million: food, consumer goods, machinery, mineral fuels and lubricants. Major suppliers—U.S. (39%), Mexico, U.K.  

*Official exchange rate: Since 1976 Belizean banks have bought U.S. dollars at the rate of 2.0175 and sold them at 1.9825, making for an effective fixed rate of Belize $2=U.S. $1.

*Official exchange rate: Since 1976 Belizean banks have bought U.S. dollars at the rate of 2.0175 and sold them at 1.9825, making for an effective fixed rate of Belize $2=U.S. $1.

Belize continues to rely heavily on foreign trade, with the United States as its number-one trading partner. Imports in 2005 totaled $518.83 million, while total exports were only $212.83 million. In 2005, the United States provided 39% of all Belizean imports and accounted for 52.2% of Belize's total exports. Other major trading partners include the United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) member states.  

Belize continues to rely heavily on foreign trade, with the United States as its number-one trading partner. Imports in 2005 totaled $518.83 million, while total exports were only $212.83 million. In 2005, the United States provided 39% of all Belizean imports and accounted for 52.2% of Belize's total exports. Other major trading partners include the United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) member states.  

Belize aims to stimulate the growth of commercial agriculture through CARICOM. However, Belizean trade with the rest of the Caribbean is small compared to that with the United States and Europe. The country is a beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) program, which forms part of the U.S.-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act--signed into law by President Clinton on May 8, 2000--a comprehensive U.S. Government program designed to stimulate investment in Caribbean nations by providing duty-free access to the U.S. market for most Caribbean products. Significant U.S. private investments in citrus and shrimp farms have been made in Belize under CBI. U.S. trade preferences allowing for duty-free re-import of finished apparel cut from U.S. textiles have significantly expanded the apparel industry. European Union (EU) and U.K. preferences also have been vital for the expansion and prosperity of the sugar and banana industries. However, these two markets face considerable World Trade Organization (WTO) challenges.  

Belize aims to stimulate the growth of commercial agriculture through CARICOM. However, Belizean trade with the rest of the Caribbean is small compared to that with the United States and Europe. The country is a beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) program, which forms part of the U.S.-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act—signed into law by President Clinton on May 8, 2000—a comprehensive U.S. Government program designed to stimulate investment in Caribbean nations by providing duty-free access to the U.S. market for most Caribbean products. Significant U.S. private investments in citrus and shrimp farms have been made in Belize under CBI. U.S. trade preferences allowing for duty-free re-import of finished apparel cut from U.S. textiles have significantly expanded the apparel industry. European Union (EU) and U.K. preferences also have been vital for the expansion and prosperity of the sugar and banana industries. However, these two markets face considerable World Trade Organization (WTO) challenges.  

==History==

==History==

The Mayan civilization spread into the area of Belize between 1500 BC and AD 300 and flourished until about AD 1200. Several major archeological sites--notably Caracol, Lamanai, Lubaantun, Altun Ha, and Xunantunich--reflect the advanced civilization and much denser population of that period. European contact began in 1502 when Christopher Columbus sailed along the coast. The first recorded European settlement was established by shipwrecked English seamen in 1638. Over the next 150 years, more English settlements were established. This period also was marked by piracy, indiscriminate logging, and sporadic attacks by Indians and neighboring Spanish settlements.

The Mayan civilization spread into the area of Belize between 1500 BC and AD 300 and flourished until about AD 1200. Several major archeological sites—notably Caracol, Lamanai, Lubaantun, Altun Ha, and Xunantunich—reflect the advanced civilization and much denser population of that period. European contact began in 1502 when Christopher Columbus sailed along the coast. The first recorded European settlement was established by shipwrecked English seamen in 1638. Over the next 150 years, more English settlements were established. This period also was marked by piracy, indiscriminate logging, and sporadic attacks by Indians and neighboring Spanish settlements.

Great Britain first sent an official representative to the area in the late 18th century, but Belize was not formally termed the "Colony of British Honduras" until 1840. It became a crown colony in 1862. Subsequently, several constitutional changes were enacted to expand representative government. Full internal self-government under a ministerial system was granted in January 1964. The official name of the territory was changed from British Honduras to Belize in June 1973, and full independence was granted on September 21, 1981.

Great Britain first sent an official representative to the area in the late 18th century, but Belize was not formally termed the "Colony of British Honduras" until 1840. It became a crown colony in 1862. Subsequently, several constitutional changes were enacted to expand representative government. Full internal self-government under a ministerial system was granted in January 1964. The official name of the territory was changed from British Honduras to Belize in June 1973, and full independence was granted on September 21, 1981.