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Belize

COUNTRY NAME
  • Conventional long form: none
  • Conventional short form: Belize
  • Former: British Honduras
CAPITAL CITY of BELIZE
  • The capital city of Belize is Belmopan
CURRENCY of BELIZE
  • The official currency of Belize is the Belizean Dollar.
 
ETYMOLOGY
  • Not Known.
HISTORY of BELIZE
  • The Mayans inhabited the region between 1500 BC and 300 AD.
  • The Mayan civilization flourished in the region till 1200.
  • The land was discovered by the Europeans when Columbus landed there in 1502.
  • European colonization began in 1638.
  • The region was a popular haunt among pirates and logging was common.
  • Conflicts between Spaniards and the native Indians took place for over 150 years.
  • The English and the Spanish fought over the newly discovered land.
  • Britain defeated the Spanish in the battle of St. George's Cay in 1798.
  • Belize became a British colony in 1840.
  • The British named the colony British Honduras.
  • It became a Crown colony in 1862.
  • Full internal self-government was granted in January 1964.
  • In 1973, the country transformed its name to Belize.
  • In 1981. Sept. 21, Belize became an independent country
  • Guatemala refused to recognize Belize as an independent country.
  • Belize was defended by British troops until Guatemala recognized Belize's sovereignty in Sept. 1991.
  • Guatemala still claims more than half of Belize’s territory.
DEMOGRAPHICS of BELIZE
  • The present demographic composition of Belize is a result of colonization, slavery, and immigration.
  • The three Maya groups in Belize are Mopans, Yucatecs, and Kekchi.
  • The white population comprises of Spanish, English and Scottish.
  • The African slaves were brought from the Caribbean and there descendants form a considerable part of the population.
  • Marriages between different ethnic groups created the Belizean Kriol people ethnic group.
  • The Mestizo people are a mix of African, Arawak, and Carib ancestry.
  • Asian settlers from mainland India, China, Taiwan, Korea, Syria, and Lebanon arrived in the 1900s.
  • Belize is home to a large number of Central American, American and African emigrants.
  • Kriols and Garinagu form the majority of the Belizean Diaspora.
  • Other minority groups include Mennonite German farmers, Chinese, East Indians, and other Central Americans.
 The ethnic distribution of the population is as follows:
  • Mestizos - 49%
  • Kriols - 25%
  • Indigenous Mayan - 11%
  • Garinagu- 6%
    •  English is the only official language of Belize.
    • Majority of the population speaks Belize Kriol.
    • Spanish is spoken by the Mestizo and Central American settlers.
    • Ancient Maya dialects like the Garifuna and the Plautdietsch are spoken rarely.
    • Belize is a predominantly Christian society.
    • 49.6% of Belizeans are Roman Catholic and 27% are Protestant.
    • Other religions include Hinduism, Islam and Jehovah's Witnesses.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS of BELIZE
  • Belize is ruled by a parliamentary democracy.
  • Administrative divisions include six districts namely: Belize, Cayo, Corozal, , Cayo , Orange Walk, Stann Creek and Toledo.
  • Independence day (21 September 1981) is observed as a national holiday.
  • The Constitution was founded on 21 September 1981.
  • The legal system is based on English law.
  • Belize has not recognized compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.
  • Queen Elizabeth II is the chief of state.
  • Prime Minister is the head of government.
  • The Cabinet is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister.
  • The governor general is appointed by the monarch.
  • The leader of the majority party or coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general following legislative elections.
  • The prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister.
  • The legislative branch is represented by a bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
  • The judicial branch is represented by Supreme Court of Judicature and the Court of Appeal.
CULTURE in BELIZE
  • Belizean culture is a blend of Kriol, Maya, Garinagu, Mestizo, Mennonites, Chinese and Lebanese cultures.
  • Courtesy and social interaction is an important part of Belizean culture.
  • The concept of the mystical healing and Obeah is widely followed.
  • Many Belizeans also believe in the evil shaman practices.
  • Most families in Belize are single-parent families.
  • Many people choose to live with their parents till late in life.
  • Belizean cuisine consists of a wide variety of food and diverse preparations.
  • The Maya use corn or maize for most of their meals.
  • Seafood is very popular among the Garifuna.
  • Mealtime is a communion for families.
  • It is considered impolite to talk during mealtimes.
  • The most popular sports are soccer and basketball.
  • Punta is the most popular genre of Garifuna music.
  • Paranda is a popular form of slow music.
  • Brukdown is a modern form of Belizean music that evolved from the buru.
  • Reggae, Dancehall, Soca ,Rap, Hip-Hop, heavy metal and rock music are also popular with the youth.
  • Theater is also an important part of Belizean culture.
 ECONOMY of BELIZE
  • Belizean economy is largely dependant on private enterprise.
  • Tourism is the most important and revenue generating industry.
  • The country also exports large quantities of products like marine products, citrus, sugar cane, bananas and clothes.
  • Oil discoveries in 2006 have also fueled economic growth in recent years.
  • The GDP (purchasing power parity) as calculated in 2007 was $2.444 billion.
  • Agricultural produce includes bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber and garments.
  • The main industries are garment production, , tourism, food processing, construction and oil.
  • Export commodities include sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses and wood.
  • Import commodities include machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages and tobacco.
 
INFRASTRUCTURE of BELIZE
  • Telecommunication systems are above average in the country.
  • Mobile cellular usage is becoming increasingly popular.
  • There are 17 radio broadcast stations and 5 television broadcast stations.
  • Internet Services are readily available.
  • Belize has 44 airports of which 4 have paved runways.
  • Roadways span over a distance of 2,872 km.
  • Waterways are 825 km long and navigable by small crafts.
  • The merchant marines are equipped with 261 ships.
  • The main ports and terminals are located at Belize City and Big Creek.
EDUCATION of BELIZE
  • Education in Belize is compulsory between the ages of 5 to 14.
  • The tuition fee is funded by the government.
  • 80% of the population is literate.
NEIGHBOUR COUNTRIES of BELIZE
 
Belize is surrounded by:
  • Guatemala (south and west)
  • Mexico (north)
  • Caribbean Sea (east)
GEOGRAPHICAL SETTINGS of BELIZE
  • Belize is located in Central America.
  • Its geographical coordinates are 17 15 N, 88 45 W.
  • The country covers a total area of 22,966 sq km.
  • The coastline is 386 km long.
  • The climate is tropical with a hot and humid rainy season during May to November and a dry season from February to May.
  • The terrain is mostly flat with swampy coastal plains and low mountains in the south.
  • The highest point is Doyle's Delight standing at 1,160 m.
  • Natural resources include arable land potential, timber, fish and hydropower.
  • 3.05% of the land is arable.
  • Devastating hurricanes and coastal flooding are very common in the south.
  • Deforestation and water pollution are the major environmental concerns.
 
FREEDOM for BELIZE
  • Belize gained complete independence from Britain on 21 September 1981.
 
NOTABLE PEOPLE FROM THE COUNTRY
 
Singers and musicians:
  • Jamaal Barow " Shyne" (rapper)
  • Andy Palacio
  • Herman "Chico" Ramos
  • "Mohobub" Flores
  • Adrian "The Doc" Martinez
  • Lindsford "Supa G" Martinez
  • Aurelio Martinez
  • Paul Nabor
  • Wilfred Peters
  • Gerald "Lord" Rhaburn
  • Leela Vernon
BELIZE COUNTRY FAMOUS FOR
  • Belize is famous for its multicultural and multilingual culture.
  • The country has a number of historical ruins of the Mayan civilization.
 
TOTAL POPULATION in BELIZE
  • According to a 2008 census, the total population of the country was estimated to be 301,270.
  • The annual population growth rate is 2.207% (2008 est.)
  • Birth rate: 27.84 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
  • Death rate: .77 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
PREVIOUS OLYMPIC RECORDS MEDALS
  • Belize has competed at the Summer Olympic Games since 1968.
  • The country did not compete in the 1980 Summer Olympic Games.
  • Belize has never participated in the Winter Olympic Games.
  • From 1968 to 1972, Belize participated under the name of British Honduras.
  • As of 2008, Belize has not won any Olympic medal.
London Olympics 2012
NHL Playoffs 2012






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