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

2 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.bz

Internet users [time series]

18,000 (2002)

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]

general assessment: 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]

31,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

3,023 (1997)

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: $186 million expenditures: $253 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) (2000 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Belizean dollar (BZD)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

BZD

Debt - external [time series]

$500 million (2000 est.)

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

$NA

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 expansionary 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% due to the global slowdown and severe hurricane damage to agriculture, fishing, and tourism. 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.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

178.56 million kWh (2000)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2000)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2000)

Electricity - production [time series]

192 million kWh (2000)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 58% hydro: 42% other: 0% (2000) nuclear: 0%

Exchange rates [time series]

Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)

Exports [time series]

$239.6 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

EU 45% (UK 33%), US 42%, Caricom 6%, Canada 1% (1999)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 April - 31 March

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

purchasing power parity - $830 million (2001 est.)

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

agriculture: 18% industry: 24% services: 58% (2001 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $3,250 (2001 est.)

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

3% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$505 million c.i.f. (2001 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transportation equipment, manufactured goods; food, beverages, tobacco; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners [time series]

US 51%, Mexico 12%, Central America 5%, UK 4% (1999)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

4.6% (1999) (1999)

Industries [time series]

garment production, food processing, tourism, construction

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.7% (2001 est.)

Labor force [time series]

90,000 note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (1997 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 27%, industry 18%, services 55% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

33% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

11.5% (2000) (2000)

Area [time series]

total: 22,966 sq km water: 160 sq km land: 22,806 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Climate [time series]

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

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 and sewage 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, Ship Pollution, Wetlands 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]

30 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 2.81% permanent crops: 1.1% other: 96.09% (1998 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 (June to November) 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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Russell F. FREEMAN embassy: 29 Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025 telephone: [501] 227-7161 FAX: [501] 230-802

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Said Wilbert MUSA (since 28 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; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy 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, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

English law

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 members appointed by the governor general - six on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; 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 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUP 21, UDP 8

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 [Dean BARROW, party leader; Douglas SINGH, party chairman]

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

Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Adele CATZIM]

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 Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard)

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$7.7 million (FY00/01)

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

1.87% (FY00/01)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 64,909 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 38,472 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age (2002 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 2,847 (2002 est.)

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 41.6% (male 55,716; female 53,581) 15-64 years: 54.9% (male 73,068; female 71,368) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,511; female 4,755) (2002 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

31.08 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Death rate [time series]

4.6 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

2.01% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

170 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

2,400 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

24.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 71.46 years female: 73.87 years (2002 est.) male: 69.17 years

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 (2002 est.)

Population [time series]

262,999 (July 2002 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.65% (2002 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Anglican 5.3%, Methodist 3.5%, Mennonite 4.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Pentecostal 7.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), none 9.4%, other 14% (2000)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.96 children born/woman (2002 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

the "Line of Adjacency" established in 2000 as an agreed limit to check squatters settling in Belize, remains in place while the Organization of American States (OAS) assists states to resolve Guatemalan territorial claims in Belize and Guatemalan maritime access to the Caribbean Sea; Honduras claims the Sapodilla Cays off the coast of Belize

Illicit drugs [time series]

major transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; some money-laundering activity related to offshore sector

Airports [time series]

44 (2001)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 38 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 27 (2002)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 2,880 km paved: 490 km unpaved: 2,390 km (1998 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 315 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,240,551 GRT/1,761,168 DWT ships by type: bulk 26, cargo 204, chemical tanker 6, combination ore/oil 1, container 12, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 39, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 8, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Albania 2, Belgium 3, British Virgin Islands 6, Cambodia 1, China 38, Cyprus 1, Ecuador 1, Egypt 1, Equatorial Guinea 1, Eritrea 1, Estonia 7, Germany 3, Greece 4, Grenada 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 20, Indonesia 6, Italy 2, Japan 4, Jordan 1, Lebanon 1, Liberia 5, Malaysia 3, Malta 2, Man, Isle of 1, Marshall Islands 13, Mexico 1, Netherlands 1, Nigeria 1, Panama 12, Philippines 4, Portugal 1, Romania 1, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 22, South Korea 10, Spain 4, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 1, Thailand 6, Tunisia 1, Turkey 1, Ukraine 3, United Arab Emirates 9, United Kingdom 2, United States 4, Virgin Islands (UK) 6, Yemen 1 (2002 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)