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1. WordNet® 3.0 (2006)
Belize
    n 1: a country on the northeastern coast of Central America on
         the Caribbean; formerly under British control [syn:
         Belize, British Honduras]

2. CIA World Factbook 2002
Belize

   Introduction Belize
   -------------------
                            Background: 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.
  
   Geography Belize
   ----------------
                              Location: Middle America, bordering the
                                        Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and
                                        Mexico
                Geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 45 W
                        Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
                                  Area: total: 22,966 sq km
                                        water: 160 sq km
                                        land: 22,806 sq km
                    Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts
                       Land boundaries: total: 516 km
                                        border countries: Guatemala 266 km,
                                        Mexico 250 km
                             Coastline: 386 km
                       Maritime claims: 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
                               Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy
                                        season (May to November); dry season
                                        (February to May)
                               Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low
                                        mountains in south
                    Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
                                        highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m
                     Natural resources: arable land potential, timber, fish,
                                        hydropower
                              Land use: arable land: 2.81%
                                        permanent crops: 1.1%
                                        other: 96.1% (1998 est.)
                        Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1998 est.)
                       Natural hazards: frequent, devastating hurricanes
                                        (June to November) and coastal
                                        flooding (especially in south)
          Environment - current issues: deforestation; water pollution from
                                        sewage, industrial effluents,
                                        agricultural runoff; solid and
                                        sewage waste disposal
            Environment - international party to: Biodiversity, Climate
                            agreements: 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
                      Geography - note: only country in Central America
                                        without a coastline on the North
                                        Pacific Ocean
  
   People Belize
   -------------
                            Population: 262,999 (July 2002 est.)
                         Age structure: 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.)
                Population growth rate: 2.65% (2002 est.)
                            Birth rate: 31.08 births/1,000 population (2002
                                        est.)
                            Death rate: 4.6 deaths/1,000 population (2002
                                        est.)
                    Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002
                                        est.)
                             Sex ratio: 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.)
                 Infant mortality rate: 24.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2002
                                        est.)
              Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.46 years
                                        female: 73.87 years (2002 est.)
                                        male: 69.17 years
                  Total fertility rate: 3.96 children born/woman (2002 est.)
      HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.01% (1999 est.)
     HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/ 2,400 (1999 est.)
                                  AIDS:
                     HIV/AIDS - deaths: 170 (1999 est.)
                           Nationality: noun: Belizean(s)
                                        adjective: Belizean
                         Ethnic groups: mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya
                                        10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%
                             Religions: 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)
                             Languages: English (official), Spanish, Mayan,
                                        Garifuna (Carib), Creole
                              Literacy: 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%
  
   Government Belize
   -----------------
                          Country name: conventional long form: none
                                        conventional short form: Belize
                                        former: British Honduras
                       Government type: parliamentary democracy
                               Capital: Belmopan
              Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal,
                                        Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
                          Independence: 21 September 1981 (from UK)
                      National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September
                                        (1981)
                          Constitution: 21 September 1981
                          Legal system: English law
                              Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
                      Executive branch: 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 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
                    Legislative branch: 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 27 August 1998 (next to
                                        be held by NA August 2003)
                                        election results: percent of vote by
                                        party - PUP 59.2%, UDP 40.8%; seats
                                        by party - PUP 26, UDP 3
                       Judicial branch: Supreme Court (the chief justice is
                                        appointed by the governor general on
                                        the advice of the prime minister)
         Political parties and leaders: People's United Party or PUP [Said
                                        MUSA]; United Democratic Party or
                                        UDP [Dean BARROW, party leader;
                                        Douglas SINGH, party chairman]
          Political pressure groups and Society for the Promotion of
                               leaders: Education and Research or SPEAR
                                        [Diane HAYLOCK]; United Worker's
                                        Front
             International organization ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-
                         participation: 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
   Diplomatic representation in the US: 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
     Diplomatic representation from the chief of mission: Ambassador Russell
                                    US: F. FREEMAN
                                        embassy: 29 Gabourel Lane and Hutson
                                        Street, Belize City
                                        mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Unit
                                        7401, APO AA 34025
                                        telephone: [501] (2) 77161
                                        FAX: [501] (2) 30802
                      Flag description: 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
  
   Economy Belize
   --------------
                    Economy - overview: 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.
                                   GDP: purchasing power parity - $830
                                        million (2001 est.)
                GDP - real growth rate: 3% (2001 est.)
                      GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,250
                                        (2001 est.)
           GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 18%
                                        industry: 24%
                                        services: 58% (2001 est.)
         Population below poverty line: 33% (1999 est.)
     Household income or consumption by lowest 10%: NA%
                      percentage share: highest 10%: NA%
      Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (2001 est.)
                           Labor force: 90,000
                                        note: shortage of skilled labor and
                                        all types of technical personnel
                                        (1997 est.)
           Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 27%, industry 18%,
                                        services 55% (2001 est.)
                     Unemployment rate: 11.5% (2000)
                                Budget: revenues: $186 million
                                        expenditures: $253 million,
                                        including capital expenditures of
                                        $NA (2000 est.)
                            Industries: garment production, food processing,
                                        tourism, construction
     Industrial production growth rate: 4.6% (1999)
              Electricity - production: 192 million kWh (2000)
    Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 58.33%
                                        hydro: 41.67%
                                        other: 0% (2000)
                                        nuclear: 0%
             Electricity - consumption: 178.56 million kWh (2000)
                 Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2000)
                 Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2000)
                Agriculture - products: bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane;
                                        lumber; fish, cultured shrimp
                               Exports: $239.6 million (f.o.b., 2001 est.)
                 Exports - commodities: sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing,
                                        fish products, molasses, wood
                    Exports - partners: EU 45% (UK 33%), US 42%, Caricom 6%,
                                        Canada 1% (1999)
                               Imports: $505 million (c.i.f., 2001 est.)
                 Imports - commodities: machinery and transportation
                                        equipment, manufactured goods; food,
                                        beverages, tobacco; fuels,
                                        chemicals, pharmaceuticals
                    Imports - partners: US 51%, Mexico 12%, Central America
                                        5%, UK 4% (1999)
                       Debt - external: $500 million (2000 est.)
              Economic aid - recipient: $NA
                              Currency: Belizean dollar (BZD)
                         Currency code: BZD
                        Exchange rates: Belizean dollars per US dollar -
                                        2.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US
                                        dollar)
                           Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
  
   Communications Belize
   ---------------------
        Telephones - main lines in use: 31,000 (1997)
          Telephones - mobile cellular: 3,023 (1997)
                      Telephone system: general assessment: above-average
                                        system
                                        domestic: trunk network depends
                                        primarily on microwave radio relay
                                        international: satellite earth
                                        station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic
                                        Ocean)
              Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)
                                Radios: 133,000 (1997)
         Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997)
                           Televisions: 41,000 (1997)
                 Internet country code: .bz
     Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000)
                        Internet users: 15,000 (2000)
  
   Transportation Belize
   ---------------------
                              Railways: 0 km
                              Highways: total: 2,880 km
                                        paved: 490 km
                                        unpaved: 2,390 km (1998 est.)
                             Waterways: 825 km (river network used by
                                        shallow-draft craft; seasonally
                                        navigable)
                     Ports and harbors: Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol,
                                        Punta Gorda
                       Merchant marine: 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.)
                              Airports: 44 (2001)
         Airports - with paved runways: total: 4
                                        1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
                                        914 to 1,523 m: 1
                                        under 914 m: 2 (2001)
       Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 40
                                        2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
                                        914 to 1,523 m: 10
                                        under 914 m: 29 (2001)
  
   Military Belize
   ---------------
                     Military branches: Belize Defense Force (includes Army,
                                        Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and
                                        Volunteer Guard)
      Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age (2002 est.)
      Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 64,909 (2002 est.)
   Military manpower - fit for military males age 15-49: 38,472 (2002 est.)
                               service:
           Military manpower - reaching males: 2,847 (2002 est.)
                 military age annually:
         Military expenditures - dollar $7.7 million (FY00/01)
                                figure:
     Military expenditures - percent of 1.87% (FY00/01)
                                   GDP:
  
   Transnational Issues Belize
   ---------------------------
              Disputes - international: 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: major transshipment point for
                                        cocaine; small-scale illicit
                                        producer of cannabis for the
                                        international drug trade; minor
                                        money-laundering center
  
                                       



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