Belize

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.

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

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

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

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

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.)

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.)

noun:

Belizean(s)

adjective:

Belizean

conventional long form:

none

conventional short form:

Belize

former:

British Honduras

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

• 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

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

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

• 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

lowest 10%:

NA%

highest 10%:

NA%

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

total:

2,872 km

paved:

488 km

unpaved:

2,384 km (1998 est.)

• 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]