Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

NA

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios [time series]

133,000 (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

above-average system domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

29,600 (1996)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

1,237 (1995)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

2 (1997)

Televisions [time series]

41,000 (1997)

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane; lumber; fish, cultured shrimp

Budget [time series]

revenues: $140 million expenditures: $180 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents

Debt - external [time series]

$380 million (1997)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$23.4 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The small, essentially private enterprise economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming greater importance. Sugar, the chief crop, accounts for nearly half of exports, while the banana industry is the country's largest employer. The government's tough austerity program in 1997 resulted in an economic slowdown that continued in 1998. The trade deficit has been growing, mostly as a result of low export prices for sugar and bananas. The new government faces important challenges to economic stability. Rapid action to improve tax collection has been promised, but a lack of progress in reining in spending could bring the exchange rate under pressure. The tourist and construction sectors strengthened in early 1999, leading to a preliminary estimate of revived growth at 4%.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

163 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - production [time series]

175 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 57.14% hydro: 42.86% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)

Exchange rates [time series]

Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1 - 2.0000 (fixed rate)

Exports [time series]

$150 million (f.o.b., 1998)

Exports - commodities [time series]

sugar, bananas, citrus fruits, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood

Exports - partners [time series]

US 45.5%, UK 30%, EU 10%, Caricom 4.2%, Mexico 3.4%, Canada 3.3% (1997)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $740 million (1999 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 22% industry: 22% services: 56% (1998)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $3,100 (1999 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$320 million (c.i.f., 1998)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners [time series]

US 52%, Mexico 13%, UK 5% (1997)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-4.4% (1998)

Industries [time series]

garment production, food processing, tourism, construction

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

-0.9% (1999 est.)

Labor force [time series]

71,000 note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (1997 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 38%, industry 32%, services 30% (1994)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

14.3% (1998)

Area [time series]

total: 22,960 sq km land: 22,800 sq km water: 160 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Climate [time series]

tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to February)

Coastline [time series]

386 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid waste disposal

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Marine Dumping, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

17 15 N, 88 45 W

Geography - note [time series]

only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean

Irrigated land [time series]

20 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 2% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 2% forests and woodland: 92% other: 3% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala

Natural hazards [time series]

frequent, devastating hurricanes (September to December) and coastal flooding (especially in south)

Natural resources [time series]

arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower

Terrain [time series]

flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south

Administrative divisions [time series]

6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo

Capital [time series]

Belmopan

Constitution [time series]

21 September 1981

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras

Data code [time series]

BH

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Carolyn CURIEL embassy: Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025 telephone: [501] (2) 77161 through 77163 FAX: [501] (2) 30802

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador James Schofield MURPHY chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Said MUSA (since 27 August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September 1998) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; governor general appoints the member of the House of Representatives who is leader of the majority party to be prime minister

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

21 September 1981 (from UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime minister

Legal system [time series]

English law

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (eight members, five appointed on the advice of the prime minister, two on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one by the governor general; members are appointed for five-year terms); and the House of Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 27 August 1998 (next to be held NA August 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUP 26, UDP 3

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 21 September (1981)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean BARROW]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Assad SHOMAN]; United Worker's Front

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Background [time series]

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.

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Belize Defense Force (includes Ground Forces, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard), Belize National Police

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$15 million (FY97/98)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

2% (FY97/98)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 60,482 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 35,874 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 2,735 (2000 est.)

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 43% (male 54,009; female 51,945) 15-64 years: 54% (male 68,052; female 66,366) 65 years and over: 3% (male 4,298; female 4,513) (2000 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

32.29 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate [time series]

4.81 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

mestizo 44.1%, Creole 31%, Maya 9.2%, Garifuna 6.2%, other 9.5%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

25.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 70.91 years male: 68.66 years female: 73.28 years (2000 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 70.3% male: 70.3% female: 70.3% (1991 est.) note: other sources list the literacy rate as high as 75%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population [time series]

249,183 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.75% (2000 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist 6%, Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% (1980)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

4.14 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

territory in Belize claimed by Guatemala; precise alignment of boundary in dispute

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor money-laundering center [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Airports [time series]

44 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 41 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 30 (1999 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 2,872 km paved: 488 km unpaved: 2,384 km (1998 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 414 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,647,452 GRT/2,339,134 DWT ships by type: bulk 36, cargo 275, chemical tanker 7, container 9, liquified gas 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 51, refrigerated cargo 14, roll-on/roll-off 9, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 2 (1999 est.) note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 7 countries: Cuba 2, Cyprus 1, Greece 1, Singapore 2, UAE 12, UK 1, and US 1 (1998 est.)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda

Railways [time series]

0 km

Waterways [time series]

825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable