Belize

Belize, formerly British Honduras, is a country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, composed of many cultures and speaking many languages. It is the only country in Central America where English is the official language. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the south and west, the and Caribbean sea to the east. Kriol and Spanish are also widely spoken. With 8,867 square miles (22,960 km²) of territory and 320,000 people (2008 est.),[2] the population density is the lowest in the Central American region and one of the lowest in the world. Belize is the least populous non-island nation outside of Europe. The country's population growth rate, 2.21% (2008 est.),[3] is the highest in the region and one of the highest in the western hemisphere. Culturally, Belize considers itself to be both Caribbean and Central American.

• 1 History
  • 1.1 As part of the British Empire
  • 1.2 Independence
• 2 Sport
• 3 Geography
• 4 Economy
  • 4.1 Overview
  • 4.2 Banking
  • 4.3 Tourism and Ecotourism
    • 4.3.1 Attractions
• 5 Education
• 6 Transport
• 7 Politics
• 8 Districts and constituencies
• 9 Demographics
  • 9.1 Maya and early settlers
  • 9.2 Kriols
  • 9.3 Garinagu
  • 9.4 Mestizos and Spanish
  • 9.5 Other groups
  • 9.6 Emigration, immigration, and demographic shifts
• 10 Language
  • 10.1 Religion
  • 10.2 Birth and death rates and life expectancy
• 11 Culture
  • 11.1 Holidays
• 12 National symbols
  • 12.1 Black Orchid
  • 12.2 Mahogany Tree
  • 12.3 Keel Billed Toucan
  • 12.4 Tapir
• 13 See also
• 14 References
• 15 Further reading
• 16 External links

Capital		Belmopan 17°15′N 88°46′W / 17.25°N 88.767°W / 17.25; -88.767
Largest city		Belize City
Official languages		English
Recognised regional languages		Kriol (the lingua franca), Spanish
Ethnic groups		Mestizo, Kriol, Spanish, Maya, Garinagu, Mennonite, East Indian
Demonym		Belizean (/bəˈliːziən (or bəˈliːʒən)/)
Government		Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy
-	Monarch	Elizabeth II
-	Governor-General	Sir Colville Young
-	Prime Minister	Dean Barrow
Independence		from the United Kingdom
-	Date	21 September 1981
Area
-	Total	22,966 km2 (150th) 8,867 sq mi
-	Water (%)	0.7
Population
-	2008[1] estimate	320,000 (173rd²)
-	Density	15/km2 (198th²) 38/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$2.525 billion[1] (163rd)
-	Per capita	$7,881[1] (74th)
GDP (nominal)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$1.381 billion[1]
-	Per capita	$4,309[1]
HDI (2007)		▲0.777 (medium) (88th)
Currency		Belize dollar (BZD)
Time zone		central time (UTC-6)
Drives on the		right
Internet TLD		.bz
Calling code		501