Belize

Belize(/bɪˈliːz,bɛ-/,bih-LEEZ, beh-;Belize Kriol English:Bileez) is a country on the north-eastern coast ofCentral America. It is bordered byMexicoto the north, theCaribbean Seato the east, andGuatemalato the west and south. It also shares amaritime boundarywithHondurasto the southeast. Belize is a member of theCaribbean Community(CARICOM), and is considered part of theCaribbeanregion and the historicalBritish West Indies.
TheMaya civilizationspread into the area of Belize between 1500 BC and AD 300 and flourished until about 1200.European contact began in 1502–04 whenChristopher Columbussailed along theGulf of Honduras.European exploration was begun by English settlers in 1638.SpainandBritainboth laid claim to the land until Britain defeated the Spanish in theBattle of St. George's Caye(1798).It becamea British colonyin 1840, and aCrown colonyin 1862. Belize achieved its independence from theUnited Kingdomon 21 September 1981.It is the only mainland Central American country which is aCommonwealth realm, withKing Charles IIIasits monarchandhead of state, represented by agovernor-general.
Belize's abundance of terrestrial and marine plants and animals and its diversity of ecosystems, including extensivecoral reefs, give it a key place in the globally significantMesoamerican Biological Corridor.It is considered aCentral AmericanandCaribbeannation with strong ties to both the American and Caribbean regions.
It has an area of 22,970 square kilometres (8,867 sq mi) and a population of 397,483 (2022).Its mainland is about 290 km (180 mi) long and 110 km (68 mi) wide. It is the least populated andleast densely populated countryin Central America. Its population growth rate of 1.87% per year (2018 estimate) is the second-highest in the region and one of thehighest in the Western Hemisphere. ItscapitalisBelmopan, and its largest city is the namesake city ofBelize City. The country has a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages. It is the only Central American country where English is the official language, whileSpanishis the most widely spoken language.Belizean Creoleis the second-most-commonly-spoken dialect, followed by theMayan languages,Garifuna, and theGerman dialects. Over half the population ismultilingualdue to the diverse linguistic backgrounds of the population. It is known for itsSeptember Celebrationsandpunta music.
The earliest known record of the name "Belize" appears in the journal of theDominicanpriest Fray José Delgado, dating to 1677.Delgado recorded the names of three major rivers that he crossed while travelling north along the Caribbean coast: Rio Soyte, Rio Kibum, and Rio Balis. The names of these waterways, which correspond to theSittee River,Sibun River, andBelize River, were provided to Delgado by his translator.It has been proposed that Delgado's "Balis" was actually the Mayan wordbelix(orbeliz), meaning "muddy water",although no such Mayan word actually exists.More recently, it has been proposed that the name comes from the Mayan phrase "bel Itza", meaning "the way toItza".
In the 1820s, the Creole elite of Belize invented the legend that the toponym Belize derived from the Spanish pronunciation of the name of a Scottishbuccaneer,Peter Wallace, who established a settlement at the mouth of the Belize River in 1638.There is no proof that buccaneers settled in this area and the very existence of Wallace is considered a myth.Writers and historians have suggested several other possible etymologies, including postulated French and African origins.
TheMaya civilizationemerged at least three millennia ago in the lowland area of theYucatán Peninsulaand the highlands to the south, in the area of present-day southeastern Mexico, Belize,Guatemala, and westernHonduras. Many aspects of this culture persist in the area, despite nearly 500 years of European domination. Prior to about 2500 BC, somehunting and foragingbands settled in small farming villages; they domesticated crops such as corn, beans,squash, and chili peppers.
A profusion of languages and subcultures developed within the Maya core culture. Between about 2500 BC and 250 AD, the basic institutions of Maya civilization emerged.
TheMaya civilizationspread across the territory of present-day Belize around 1500BC, and flourished until around 900 AD. The recorded history of the middle and southern regions focuses onCaracol, an urban political centre that may have supported over 140,000 people.North of theMaya Mountains, the most important political centre wasLamanai.In the lateClassic Eraof Maya Civilization (600–1000AD), an estimated 400,000 to 1,000,000 people inhabited the area of present-day Belize.
When Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, the area of present-day Belize included at least three distinct Maya territories:
Spanishconquistadorsexplored the land and declared it part of theSpanish Empire, but they failed to settle the territory because of its lack of resources and the tribes of the Yucatán defending their land.
English pirates sporadically visited the coast of what is now Belize, seeking a sheltered region from which they could attack Spanish ships(seeEnglish settlement in Belize)and cutlogwood(Haematoxylum campechianum) trees. The first British permanent settlement was founded around 1716, in what became theBelize District,and during the 18th century, established a system usingenslaved Africansto cut logwood trees. This yielded a valuable fixing agent for clothing dyes,and was one of the first ways to achieve afast blackbefore the advent of artificial dyes. The Spanish granted the British settlers the right to occupy the area and cut logwood in exchange for their help suppressing piracy.
The British government did not recognize the settlement as a colony for fear of provoking aSpanishattack. This delay in government oversight enabled the settlers to establish their own laws and forms of government. During this period, a few settlers gained control of the local legislature, known as the Public Meeting, as well as of most of the settlement's land and timber. The British did not appoint their first superintendent over the Belize area until 1786.
Throughout the 18th century, theSpanishattacked Belize every time war broke out with Britain. TheBattle of St. George's Cayewas the last of such military engagements, in 1798, between a Spanish fleet and a force ofBaymenand their slaves. From 3 to 5 September, the Spaniards tried to force their way through Montego Caye shoal, but were blocked by defenders. Spain's last attempt occurred on 10 September, when the Baymen repelled the Spanish fleet in a short engagement with no known casualties on either side. The anniversary of the battle has been declareda national holidayin Belize and is celebrated to commemorate the "first Belizeans" and the defence of their territory taken from the Spanish empire.
In the early 19th century, the British sought to reform the settlers, threatening to suspend the Public Meeting unless it observed the government's instructions to eliminate slavery outright. After a generation of wrangling, slavery wasabolishedin theBritish Empirein 1833.As a result of their enslaved Africans' abilities in the work ofmahoganyextraction, owners inBritish Honduraswere compensated at £53.69 per enslaved African on average, the highest amount paid in any British territory. This was a form of reparation that was not given to the enslaved Africans at the time, nor since.
The end of slavery did little to change the formerly enslaved Africans' working conditions if they stayed at their trade. A series of institutions restricted the ability of emancipated African individuals to buy land, in a debt-peonage system. Former "extra special" mahogany or logwood cutters undergirded the early ascription of the capacities (and consequently the limitations) of people of African descent in the colony. Because a small elite controlled the settlement's land and commerce, formerly enslaved Africans had little choice but to continue to work in timber cutting.
In 1836, after theemancipation of Central America from Spanish rule, the British claimed the right to administer the region. In 1862, the United Kingdom formally declared it aBritish Crown Colony, subordinate to Jamaica, and named it British Honduras.Since 1854, the richest inhabitants elected an assembly of notables by censal vote, which was replaced by a legislative council appointed by the British government.
As a colony, Belize began to attract British investors. Among the British firms that dominated the colony in the late 19th century was the Belize Estate and Produce Company, which eventually acquired half of all privately held land and eventually eliminatedpeonage. Belize Estate's influence accounts in part for the colony's reliance on the mahogany trade throughout the rest of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century.
TheGreat Depressionof the 1930s caused a near-collapse of the colony's economy as British demand for timber plummeted. The effects of widespread unemployment were worsened by adevastating hurricanethat struck the colony in 1931. Perceptions of the government's relief effort as inadequate were aggravated by its refusal to legalize labour unions or introduce a minimum wage. Economic conditions improved duringWorld War II, as many Belizean men entered the armed forces or otherwise contributed to the war effort.
Following the war, the colony's economy stagnated. Britain's decision todevaluethe British Honduras dollar in 1949 worsened economic conditions and led to the creation of the People's Committee, which demanded independence. The People's Committee's successor, thePeople's United Party(PUP), sought constitutional reforms that expanded voting rights to all adults. The first election underuniversal suffragewas heldin 1954and was decisively won by the PUP, beginning a three-decade period in which the PUP dominated the country's politics. Pro-independence activistGeorge Cadle Pricebecame PUP's leader in 1956 and the effective head of government in 1961, a post he would hold under various titles until 1984.
Progress toward independence was hampered by aGuatemalan claim to sovereignty over Belizean territory. In 1964 Britain granted British Honduras self-government under a new constitution. On 1 June 1973, British Honduras was officially renamed Belize.
Belize was granted independence on 21 September 1981.Guatemalarefused to recognize the new nation because of its longstanding territorial dispute, claiming that Belize belonged to Guatemala. After independence about 1,500 British troops remained in Belize to deter any possible Guatemalan incursions.
WithGeorge Cadle Priceat the helm, the PUP won all national electionsuntil 1984. In that election, the first national election after independence, the PUP was defeated by theUnited Democratic Party(UDP). UDP leaderManuel Esquivelreplaced Price as prime minister, with Price himself unexpectedly losing his ownHouseseat to a UDP challenger. The PUP under Price returned to power after electionsin 1989. The following year the United Kingdom announced that it would end its military involvement in Belize, and the RAF Harrier detachment was withdrawn the same year, having remained stationed in the country continuously since its deployment had become permanent there in 1980. British soldiers were withdrawn in 1994, but the United Kingdom left behind a military training unit to assist with the newly createdBelize Defence Force.
The UDP regained power in the1993 national election, and Esquivel became prime minister for a second time. Soon afterwards, Esquivel announced the suspension of a pact reached with Guatemala during Price's tenure, claiming Price had made too many concessions to gain Guatemalan recognition. The pact may have curtailed the 130-year-old border dispute between the two countries. Border tensions continued into the early 2000s, although the two countries cooperated in other areas.
In 1996, theBelize Barrier Reef, one of the Western Hemisphere's most pristine ecosystems, was designated as aUNESCO World Heritage Site.
The PUP won a landslide victory in the 1998 national elections, and PUP leaderSaid Musawas sworn in as prime minister. In the 2003 elections the PUP maintained its majority, and Musa continued as prime minister. He pledged to improve conditions in the underdeveloped and largely inaccessible southern part of Belize.
In 2005, Belize was the site ofunrestcaused by discontent with the PUP government, including tax increases in the national budget. On 8 February 2008,Dean Barrowwas sworn in as prime minister after hisUDPwona landslide victoryin general elections. Barrow and the UDP were re-electedin 2012with a considerably smaller majority. Barrow led the UDP to a third consecutive general election victory in November 2015, increasing the party's number of seats from 17 to 19. He said the election would be his last as party leader and preparations are under way for the party to elect his successor.
On 11 November 2020, thePeople's United Party(PUP), led byJohnny Briceño, defeated theUnited Democratic Party(UDP) for the first time since 2003, having won 26 seats out of 31 to form the new government of Belize. Briceño took office as Prime Minister on 12 November.
In 2023, Belize became the second Central American country to be awarded certification for the elimination ofmalariaby theWHO.
Belize is aparliamentaryconstitutional monarchy. The structure of government is based on the British parliamentary system, and the legal system is modelled on thecommon law of England. The head of state isCharles III, who is theKing of Belize. He lives in the United Kingdom, and is represented in Belize by thegovernor-general. Executive authority is exercised by the cabinet, which advises the governor-general and is led by theprime minister, who is head of government. Cabinet ministers are members of the majority political party in parliament and usually hold elected seats within it concurrent with their cabinet positions.
The bicameralNational Assembly of Belizecomprises aHouse of Representativesand aSenate. The 31 members of the House are popularly elected to a maximum five-year term and introduce legislation affecting the development of Belize. The governor-general appoints the 12 members of the Senate, with a Senate president selected by the members. The Senate is responsible for debating and approving bills passed by the House.
Legislative poweris vested in both the government and theParliament of Belize. Constitutional safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
Members of the independent judiciary are appointed. The judicial system includes local magistrates grouped under the Magistrates' Court, which hears less serious cases. TheSupreme Court(chief justice) hears murder and similarly serious cases, and the Court of Appeal hears appeals from convicted individuals seeking to have their sentences overturned. Defendants may, under certain circumstances, appeal their cases to theCaribbean Court of Justice.
In 1935, elections were reinstated, but only 1.8 percent of the population was eligible to vote. In 1954, women won the right to vote.
Since 1974, the party system in Belize has been dominated by the centre-leftPeople's United Partyand the centre-rightUnited Democratic Party, although other small parties took part in all levels of elections in the past. Though none of these small political parties has ever won any significant number of seats or offices, their challenge has been growing over the years.
Belize is a full participating member of theUnited Nations; theCommonwealth of Nations; theOrganization of American States(OAS); theCentral American Integration System(SICA); theCaribbean Community(CARICOM); theCARICOM Single Market and Economy(CSME); theAssociation of Caribbean States(ACS); and theCaribbean Court of Justice(CCJ), which currently serves as a final court of appeal for only Barbados, Belize, Guyana and Saint Lucia. In 2001, the Caribbean Community heads of government voted on a measure declaring that the region should work towards replacing the UK'sJudicial Committee of the Privy Councilas final court of appeal with the Caribbean Court of Justice. It is still in the process of acceding to CARICOM treaties including the trade and single market treaties.
Belize is an original member (1995) of theWorld Trade Organization(WTO), and participates actively in its work. The pact involves the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) subgroup of theGroup of African, Caribbean, and Pacific states(ACP). CARIFORUM presently the only part of the wider ACP-bloc that has concluded the full regional trade-pact with theEuropean Union.
TheBritish Army Garrisonin Belize is used primarily forjungle warfaretraining, with access to more than 13,000 square kilometres (5,000 sq mi) of jungle terrain.
Belize is a party to theRome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
The United States (U.S.) is a major diplomatic partner to Belize and has been since 1981, following their Independence.Over the past few decades, relations between he two states have consistently grown through mutual cooperation, forming a strong, long-lasting partnership. In Belize, areas such as the economy, international/national security, and education have greatly improved with the support of the U.S.
The U.S. frequently offers Belize financial support. Most recently in 2024, the development of the U.S. foreign assistance agency, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), was a big step in addressing further growth in economy. The MCC is a U.S. government funded foreign assistance agency that holds a focus on reducing poverty through economic growth. It provides grants as opposed to loans, ensuring the program is not profit-driven. In Belize, this has translated into a system that modernizes educational opportunities and enhances the energy sector.  Historically, Belize and the U.S. have had good relations because of a shared commitment to democratic governance. Along with financial aid, the U.S. has continuously provided disaster relief after detrimental natural disasters that have been a threat to Belize’s overall stability.
The U.S. Peace Corps has also played a pivotal role in Belize. Since 1952, the U.S. Peace Corps has a public health and education program in Belize through the U.S. Embassy Regional Security Program in Central America.Volunteers work in rural and urban communities to address the improvement of education, economic development, public health, etc. These efforts have strengthened the relations between Belize and the U.S. on a more community-based level.
TheBelize Defence Force(BDF) serves as the country's military. The BDF, with the Belize National Coast Guard and the Immigration Department, is a department of the Ministry of Defence and Immigration. In 1997 the regular army numbered more than 900, the reserve army 381, the air wing 45 and the maritime wing 36, amounting to an overall strength of approximately 1,400.In 2005, the maritime wing became part of the Belizean Coast Guard.In 2012, the Belizean government spent about $17 million on the military, constituting 1.08% of the country'sgross domestic product(GDP).After Belize achieved independence in 1981 the United Kingdom maintained a deterrent force (British Forces Belize) in the country to protect it from invasion byGuatemala(seeGuatemalan claim to Belizean territory). During the 1980s this included a battalion andNo. 1417 Flight RAFof Harriers. The main British force left in 1994, three years after Guatemala recognized Belizean independence, but the United Kingdom maintained a training presence via the British Army Training and Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) and25 Flight AACuntil 2011 when the last British Forces left Ladyville Barracks, with the exception of seconded advisers.
Belize is divided intosix districts.
These districts are further divided into31 constituencies.Local government in Belizecomprises four types of local authorities:city councils,town councils,village councilsandcommunity councils. The two city councils (Belize CityandBelmopan) and seven town councils cover the urban population of the country, while village and community councils cover the rural population.
Throughout Belize's history, Guatemala hasclaimed sovereigntyover all or part of Belizean territory. This claim is occasionally reflected in maps drawn by Guatemala's government, showing Belize as Guatemala'stwenty-third department.
The Guatemalan territorial claim involves approximately 53% of Belize's mainland, which includes significant portions of four districts: Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek, and Toledo.Roughly 43% of the country's population (≈154,949 Belizeans) reside in this region.
As of 2020, the border dispute with Guatemala remains unresolved and contentious.Guatemala's claim to Belizean territory rests, in part, on Clause VII of theAnglo-Guatemalan Treaty of 1859, which obligated the British to build a road between Belize City and Guatemala. At various times, the issue has required mediation by the United Kingdom,Caribbean Communityheads of government, theOrganization of American States(OAS), Mexico, and the United States. On 15 April 2018, Guatemala's government held a referendum to determine if the country should take itsterritorial claim on Belizeto theInternational Court of Justice(ICJ) to settle the long-standing issue. Guatemalans voted 95%yes on the matter.A similar referendum was to be held in Belize on 10 April 2019, but a court ruling led to its postponement.The referendum was held on 8 May 2019, and 55.4% of voters opted to send the matter to the ICJ.
Both countries submitted requests to the ICJ (in 2018 and 2019, respectively) and the ICJ ordered Guatemala's initial brief be submitted by December 2020 and Belize's response by 2022.On 7 June 2023, the stage of written submissions ended, with the next step being oral arguments from each country's legal teams.
Belize backed theUnited Nations (UN) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoplesin 2007, which established legal land rights to indigenous groups.Other court cases have affirmed these rights like theSupreme Court of Belize's 2013 decision to uphold its ruling in 2010 that acknowledges customary land titles as communal land for indigenous peoples.Another such case is theCaribbean Court of Justice's (CCJ) 2015 order on the Belizean government, which stipulated that the country develop a land registry to classify and exercise traditional governance over Mayan lands. Despite these rulings, Belize has made little progress to support the land rights of indigenous communities; for instance, in the two years after the CCJ's decision, Belize's government failed to launch the Mayan land registry, prompting the group to take action into its own hands.
The exact ramifications of these cases need to be examined. As of 2017, Belize still struggles to recognize indigenous populations and their respective rights. According to the 50-page voluntary national report Belize created on its progress toward theUN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, indigenous groups are not factored into the country's indicators whatsoever.Belize's Maya population is only mentioned once in the entirety of the report.
Belize is on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America. It shares a border on the north with the Mexican state ofQuintana Roo, on the west with the Guatemalan department ofPetén, and on the south with the Guatemalan department ofIzabal. To the east in the Caribbean Sea,the second-longest barrier reefin the world flanks much of the 386 kilometres (240 mi) of predominantlymarshycoastline.The area of the country totals 22,960 square kilometres (8,865 sq mi), an area slightly larger thanEl Salvador,Israel,New Jersey, orWales. The manylagoonsalong the coasts and in the northern interior reduces the actual land area to 21,400 square kilometres (8,263 sq mi). It is the only Central American country with no Pacific coastline.
Belize is shaped roughly like arhombusthat extends about 280 kilometres (174 mi) north-south and about 100 kilometres (62 mi) east-west, with a total land boundary length of 516 kilometres (321 mi). The undulating courses of two rivers, theHondoand theSarstoon River, delineate much of the country's northern and southern boundaries. The western border follows no natural features and runs north–south through lowland forest and highland plateau.
The north of Belize consists mostly of flat, swampy coastal plains, in places heavily forested. Theflorais highly diverse considering the small geographical area. The south contains the lowmountain rangeof theMaya Mountains. The highest point in Belize isDoyle's Delightat 1,124 m (3,688 ft).
Belize's rugged geography has also made the country's coastline and jungle attractive to drug smugglers, who use the country as a gateway into Mexico.In 2011, the United States added Belize to the list of nations considered major drug producers or transit countries for narcotics.
Belize has a rich variety of wildlife because of its position betweenNorthand South America and a wide range of climates and habitats for plant and animal life.Belize's low human population and approximately 22,970 square kilometres (8,867 sq mi) of undistributed land make for an ideal home for the more than 5,000 species of plants and hundreds of species of animals, includingarmadillos, snakes, andmonkeys.
TheCockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuaryis a nature reserve in south-central Belize established to protect the forests, fauna, andwatershedsof an approximately 400 km(150 sq mi) area of the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains. The reserve was founded in 1990 as the first wilderness sanctuary for thejaguarand is regarded by one author as the premier site for jaguar preservation in the world.
In Belizeforest coveris around 56% of the total land area, equivalent to 1,277,050 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, down from 1,600,030 hectares (ha) in 1990. In 2020, naturally regenerating forest covered 1,274,670 hectares (ha) and planted forest covered 2,390 hectares (ha). Of the naturally regenerating forest 0% was reported to beprimary forest(consisting of native tree species with no clearly visible indications of human activity) and around 59% of the forest area was found within protected areas.
Around 20% of the country's land is covered by cultivated land (agriculture) and human settlements.Belize had a 2018Forest Landscape Integrity Indexmean score of 6.15/10, ranking it 85th globally out of 172 countries.Savanna, scrubland andwetlandconstitute the remainder of Belize's land cover. Importantmangroveecosystems are also represented across Belize's landscape.Four terrestrial ecoregions lie within the country's borders – thePetén–Veracruz moist forests,Belizian pine forests,Belizean Coast mangroves, andBelizean Reef mangroves.As a part of the globally significantMesoamerican Biological Corridorthat stretches from southern Mexico to Panama, Belize's biodiversity – bothmarineandterrestrial– is rich, with abundantfloraandfauna.
Belize is also a leader in protecting biodiversity and natural resources. According to theWorld Database on Protected Areas, 37% of Belize's land territory falls under some form of official protection, giving Belize one of the most extensive systems of terrestrial protected areas in the Americas.By contrast, Costa Rica only has 27% of its land territory protected.
Around 13.6% of Belize'sterritorial waters, which contain theBelize Barrier Reef, are also protected.The Belize Barrier Reef is aUNESCO-recognizedWorld Heritage Siteand is the second-largest barrier reef in the world, behind Australia'sGreat Barrier Reef.
Aremote sensingstudy conducted by the Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean (CATHALAC) andNASA, in collaboration with the Forest Department and the Land Information Centre (LIC) of the government of Belize's Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE), and published in August 2010 revealed that Belize'sforest coverin early 2010 was approximately 62.7%, down from 75.9% in late 1980.A similar study by Belize Tropical Forest Studies and Conservation International revealed similar trends in terms of Belize's forest cover.Both studies indicate that each year, 0.6% of Belize's forest cover is lost, translating to the clearing of an average of 10,050 hectares (24,835 acres) each year. TheUSAID-supported SERVIR study by CATHALAC, NASA, and the MNRE also showed that Belize's protected areas have been extremely effective in protecting the country's forests. While only some 6.4% of forests inside of legally declared protected areas were cleared between 1980 and 2010, over a quarter of forests outside of protected areas were lost between 1980 and 2010.
As a country with a relatively high forest cover and a lowdeforestationrate, Belize has significant potential for participation in initiatives such asREDD. Significantly, the SERVIR study on Belize's deforestationwas also recognized by theGroup on Earth Observations(GEO), of which Belize is a member nation.
Belize is known to have a number of economically important minerals, but none in quantities large enough to warrant mining. These minerals includedolomite,barite(source ofbarium),bauxite(source of aluminium),cassiterite(source of tin), and gold. In 1990limestone, used in road construction, was the only mineral resource exploited for domestic or export use.
In 2006, the cultivation of newly discoveredcrude oilin the town ofSpanish Lookouthas presented new prospects and problems for this developing nation.
Access tobiocapacityin Belize is much higher than world average. In 2016, Belize had 3.8 global hectaresof biocapacity per person within its territory, much more than the world average of 1.6 global hectares per person.In 2016 Belize used 5.4 global hectares of biocapacity per person – theirecological footprintof consumption. This means they use more biocapacity than Belize contains. As a result, Belize is running a biocapacity deficit.
The Belize Barrier Reef is a series ofcoral reefsstraddling the coast of Belize, roughly 300 metres (980 ft) offshore in the north and 40 kilometres (25 mi) in the south within the country limits. The Belize Barrier Reef is a 300-kilometre-long (190 mi) section of the 900-kilometre-long (560 mi)Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is continuous fromCancúnon the northeast tip of theYucatán Peninsulathrough theRiviera Mayaup toHondurasmaking it one of the largest coral reef systems in the world.
It is the top tourist destination in Belize, popular forscuba divingandsnorkelling, and attracting almost half of its 260,000 visitors. It is also vital to its fishing industry.In 1842Charles Darwindescribed it as "the most remarkable reef in theWest Indies".
The Belize Barrier Reef was declared aWorld Heritage SitebyUNESCOin 1996 due to its vulnerability and the fact that it contains important natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biodiversity.
The Belize Barrier Reef is home to a large diversity of plants and animals, and is one of the most diverseecosystemsof the world:
With ~90% of the reef still yet to be researched, some estimate that only 10% of all species have been discovered.
Belize became the first country in the world to completely banbottom trawlingin December 2010.In December 2015, Belize banned offshore oil drilling within 1 km (0.6 mi) of the Barrier Reef and all of its seven World Heritage Sites.
Despite these protective measures, the reef remains under threat fromoceanic pollutionas well as uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Other threats include hurricanes,climate changeand the resulting increase in ocean temperatures,which causescoral bleaching. It is claimed by scientists that over 40% of Belize's coral reef has been damaged since 1998.
Belize has atropical climatewith pronouncedwetanddry seasons, although there are significant variations in weather patterns by region. Temperatures vary according to elevation, proximity to the coast, and the moderating effects of the northeast trade winds off the Caribbean. Average temperatures in the coastal regions range from 24 °C (75.2 °F) in January to 27 °C (80.6 °F) in July. Temperatures are slightly higher inland, except for the southern highland plateaus, such as theMountain Pine Ridge, where it is noticeably cooler year round. Overall, the seasons are marked more by differences in humidity and rainfall than in temperature.
Average rainfall varies considerably, from 1,350 millimetres (53 in) in the north and west to over 4,500 millimetres (180 in) in the extreme south. Seasonal differences in rainfall are greatest in the northern and central regions of the country where, between January and April or May, less than 100 millimetres (3.9 in) of rainfall per month. The dry season is shorter in the south, normally only lasting from February to April. A shorter, less rainy period, known locally as the "little dry", usually occurs in late July or August, after the onset of the rainy season.
Hurricanes
Hurricaneshave played key—and devastating—roles inBelizean history. In 1931, an unnamed hurricane destroyed over two-thirds of the buildings in Belize City and killed more than 1,000 people. In 1955,Hurricane Janetlevelled the northern town ofCorozal. Only six years later,Hurricane Hattiestruck the central coastal area of the country, with winds in excess of 300 km/h (185 mph) and 4 m (13 ft)storm tides. The devastation of Belize City for the second time in thirty years prompted the relocation of the capital some 80 kilometres (50 mi) inland to theplanned cityofBelmopan.
In 1978,Hurricane Gretacaused more than US$25 million in damage along the southern coast. In 2000,Hurricane Keith, the wettest tropical cyclone in the nation's record, stalled, and hit the nation as a Category 4 storm on 1 October, causing 19 deaths and at least $280 million in damage. Soon after, on 9 October 2001,Hurricane Irismade landfall atMonkey River Townas a 235 km/h (145 mph) Category 4 storm. The storm demolished most of the homes in the village, and destroyed the banana crop. In 2007,Hurricane Deanmade landfall as a Category 5 storm only 40 km (25 mi) north of the Belize–Mexico border. Dean caused extensive damage in northern Belize.
In 2010, Belize was directly affected by the Category 2Hurricane Richard, which made landfall approximately 32 kilometres (20 mi) south-southeast of Belize City at around 00:45 UTC on 25 October 2010.The storm moved inland towardsBelmopan, causing estimated damage ofBZ$33.8 million ($17.4 million 2010 USD), primarily from damage to crops and housing.The most recent hurricane to make landfall in Belize wasHurricane Lisain 2022.Extreme weatherevents, such ashurricanesand floods, have become more frequent and intense due to climate change.
Climate change
Belize is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its low-lying coastal areas, diverse ecosystems, and economic reliance on tourism and agriculture.As a country, Belize's 2023greenhouse gas emissionsare relatively low (7.46 million tonnes), however, it ranks as the 13th highest country for per capita emissions, at 18.13 tonnes per person.Land usechange andforestrytogether is the highest source of emissions in Belize.The government has committed tonet zero emissionsby 2050 and has developedclimate resilienceandadaptationplans.
Belize has a small, mostly private enterprise economy that is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction recently assuming greater importance.The country is also a producer ofindustrial minerals,crude oil, andpetroleum. As of 2017, oil production was 320 m/d (2,000 bbl/d).In agriculture,sugar, like in colonial times, remains the chief crop, accounting for nearly half of exports, while thebananaindustry is the largest employer.In 2007 Belize became the world's third largest exporter ofpapaya.
The government of Belize faces important challenges to economic stability. Rapid action to improvetax collectionhas been promised, but a lack of progress in reining in spending could bring theexchange rateunder pressure. The tourist and construction sectors strengthened in early 1999, leading to a preliminary estimate of revived growth at four percent. Infrastructure remains a major economic development challenge;Belize has the region's most expensive electricity. Trade is important and the major trading partners are the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, theEuropean Union, andCARICOM.
Belize has four commercial bank groups, of which the largest and oldest isBelize Bank. The other three banks are Heritage Bank, Atlantic Bank, andScotiabank(Belize). A robust complex ofcredit unionsbegan in the 1940s under the leadership ofMarion M. Ganey, S.J.
Because of its location on the coast of Central America, Belize is a popular destination for vacationers and for many North American drug traffickers. The Belize currency is pegged to the U.S. dollar and banks in Belize offer non-residents the ability to establish accounts, so drug traffickers and money launderers are attracted to banks in Belize. As a result, theUnited States Department of Statehas, since 2014, named Belize as one of the world's "major money laundering countries".
The largest integrated electric utility and the principal distributor in Belize isBelize Electricity Limited. BEL was approximately 70% owned byFortis Inc., a Canadian investor-owned distribution utility. Fortis took over the management of BEL in 1999, at the invitation of the government of Belize in an attempt to mitigate prior financial problems with the locally managed utility. In addition to its regulated investment in BEL, Fortis owns Belize Electric Company Limited (BECOL), a non-regulatedhydroelectricgeneration business that operates three hydroelectric generating facilities on theMacal River.
On 14 June 2011, the government of Belize nationalized the ownership interest of Fortis Inc. in Belize Electricity Ltd. The utility encountered serious financial problems after the country's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in 2008 "disallowed the recovery of previously incurred fuel and purchased power costs in customer rates and set customer rates at a level that does not allow BEL to earn a fair and reasonable return", Fortis said in a June 2011 statement.BEL appealed this judgement to the Court of Appeal, with a hearing expected in 2012. In May 2011, theSupreme Court of Belizegranted BEL's application to prevent the PUC from taking any enforcement actions pending the appeal. The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry issued a statement saying the government had acted in haste and expressed concern over the message it sent to investors.
In August 2009, the government of Belize nationalizedBelize Telemedia Limited(BTL), which now competes directly withSpeednet. As a result of the nationalization process, theinterconnectionagreements are again subject to negotiations. Both BTL and Speednet sell basic telephone services, national and international calls, prepaid services, cellular services via GSM 1900 megahertz (MHz) and 4G LTE respectively, international cellular roaming, fixed wireless, fibre-to-the-home internet service, and national and international data networks.
A combination of natural factors – climate, theBelize Barrier Reef, over 450 offshore Cays (islands), excellent fishing, safe waters for boating,scuba diving,snorkellingandfreediving, numerous rivers forrafting, andkayaking, variousjungleandwildlife reservesof fauna and flora, for hiking,birdwatching, and helicopter touring, as well as many Maya sites – support the thriving tourism andecotourismindustry.
Development costs are high, but the government of Belize has made tourism its second development priority after agriculture. In 2012, tourist arrivals totalled 917,869 (with about 584,683 from the United States) and tourist receipts amounted to over $1.3 billion.
AfterCOVID-19struck tourism, Belize became the first country in the Caribbean to allow vaccinated travellers to visit without a COVID-19 test.
According to the 2022 census, Belize's population is 397,483.Belize'stotal fertility ratein 2023 was 2.010 children per woman.Its birth rate was 17.8 births/1,000 population (2022), and the death rate was 6.3 deaths/1,000 population (2022).A substantial ethnic-demographic shift has been occurring since 1980 when the Creole/ Hispanic ratio shifted from 58/38 to 26/53 in 1991, due to many Creoles moving to the US and a rising Mestizo birth rate and migration from Latin America.
Belize, despite its small population, is a melting pot of cultures. Although the colonial government encouraged the idea and passive application ofracial segregationto keep the population divided, it never did have a strong impact on the small, diverse, and largely interconnected population.Like many other post-colonial countries, there are traces of racism, but it has been minimal: most Belizeans do not tolerate or justify it. Belize has a dozen or more active cultures and the different ethnic groups have all contributed in the making of the Belizean identity through food, music, loaned words, folklores, fashion and arts. They have blended together, creating the Belizean unity captured by the country's motto, "Sub umbra floreo," which means, "Under the shade I flourish."
The Maya are thought to have been in Belize and theYucatán regionsince the second millennium BCE. Many died in conflicts or by catching disease from invading Europeans. Three Maya groups inhabit the country: TheYucatec(who came from Yucatán, Mexico, to escape the savageCaste Warof the 1840s), theMopan(indigenous to Belize but were forced out to Guatemala by the British for raiding settlements; they returned to Belize to evade enslavement by the Guatemalans in the 19th century), andQ'eqchi'(also fled from slavery in Guatemala in the 19th century).The latter groups are chiefly found in theToledo District. The Maya speak their native languages and Spanish, and are also often fluent in English and Belizean Creole.
Belizean Creoles are primarilymixed-raceddescendants ofWest and Central Africanswho were brought to theBritish Honduras(modern Belize along theBay of Honduras) as well as theEnglishandScottishlog cutters, known as theBaymen.Over the years they have also intermarried withMiskitofromNicaragua,Jamaicansand otherCaribbean people,Mestizos,Europeans,Garifunas,Mayaetc. The majority of Creoles trace their ancestry to several of the aforementioned groups. The creole and African slaves came to British Honduras (modern day Belize) from Jamaica, as Jamaica was the closest British colony administering British Honduras at the time and it was the slave ships' final destination. It is also mentioned that many slaves brought to Belize were trouble makers and resisters from Jamaican sugar cane plantations.
Belize town was the epicentre of the colony and many slaves ended up in the logwood and timber industry. Women and children stayed doing domestic and farm work. Slaves in Belize were more free to travel and roam around the colony due to their work. This caused the rapid integration of African slaves from different tribes and parts of Africa to mingle with the free coloureds and sons and daughters of slave owners with slaves.
Some predominant coloured or light skinned creole communities were in the Belize river valley namely Crooked Tree, Isabela Bank, Bermudian Landings and Lemonal among others. Most of them have light or blue eyes and light skin. Unlike the fast integration and intermarriages of creoles with Africans and Hispanics in Belize City, the creoles in the Belize river valley area had a more lighter complexion and more visible European traits.
The Belizean Creole along with Africans and Garifuna make up the Afro-Belizean population; about 30% of the population. The Creoles have had a great impact in Belizean history and politics. They were active and part of the Battle of St George's Caye, Part of the British West Indies Battalion in world war one and world war two, and the Negro movement for equal rights. They were one of the first group of people to advocate for and get a higher education in Jamaica and the UK in which after returning to Belize, the educated scholars rallied and started the movement for adult suffrage, self-government and independence.  All of the important historical events started in Belize City and most of the first people involved were of creole descent which were the upper and middle class of Belize at the time. Well known Creole Belizeans were Samuel Haynes, Philip Goldson, Dean Barrow, Dame Minita Gordon, Cleopatra White, Cordel Hyde and Patrick Faber among others.
The Creole were the biggest ethnic group in Belize until the 1980s due to mass migration of Afro Belizeans to the United States, United Kingdom and West Indies from the 1960s to 1970s and the mass immigration of Central American refugees to Belize. Due to the Central American War, and political instability, the country's demographics changed forever.
For all intents and purposes, Creole is an ethnic and linguistic denomination. Some natives, even with blonde hair and blue eyes, may call themselves Creoles.
Belizean CreoleorKrioldeveloped during the time of slavery, and historically was only spoken by former enslaved Africans. It became an integral part of the Belizean identity, spoken by about 45% of Belizeans.Belizean Creole is derived mainly from English. Itssubstrate languagesare the Native American languageMiskito, and the variousWest AfricanandBantu languages, native languages of the enslaved Africans. Creoles are found all over Belize, but predominantly in urban areas such as Belize City, coastal towns and villages, and in the Belize River Valley.
TheGarinagu(singularGarifuna), at around 4.5% of the population, are a mix of West/Central African,Arawak, andIsland Caribancestry. Though they were captives removed from their homelands, these people were never documented as slaves. The two prevailing theories are that, in 1635, they were either the survivors of two recorded shipwrecks or somehow took over the ship they came on.
Throughout history they have been incorrectly labelled asBlack Caribs. When the British took overSaint Vincent and the Grenadinesafter theTreaty of Parisin 1763, they were opposed by French settlers and their Garinagu allies. The Garinagu eventually surrendered to the British in 1796. The British separated the more African-looking Garifunas from the more indigenous-looking ones. 5,000 Garinagu were exiled from the Grenadine island ofBaliceaux. About 2,500 of them survived the voyage toRoatán, an island off the coast of Honduras. TheGarifuna languagebelongs to theArawakan language family, but has a large number of loanwords from Carib languages and from English.
BecauseRoatánwas too small and infertile to support their population, the Garinagu petitioned the Spanish authorities of Honduras to be allowed to settle on the mainland coast. The Spanish employed them as soldiers, and they spread along the Caribbean coast of Central America. The Garinagu settled in Seine Bight,Punta Gordaand Punta Negra, Belize, by way of Honduras as early as 1802. In Belize, 19 November 1832 is the date officially recognized as "Garifuna Settlement Day" in Dangriga.
According to one genetic study, their ancestry is on average 76%Sub Saharan African, 20%Arawak/Island Cariband 4%European.
The Hispanic population in Belize makes up about half of the population and consists of two main groups, the Yucatec Mestizos, better known as Mestizos, and the Central American Refugees and migrants.Central Americanimmigrants fromEl Salvador,Guatemala,HondurasandNicaragua
The Mestizo are people of mixed Spanish and Yucatec Maya descent. They were the first to bring the Catholicism and the Spanish language to Belize after various failed attempts over the century by Spanish conquistadores. They originally came to Belize in 1847, to escape theCaste War, which occurred when thousands of Mayas rose against the state in Yucatán and massacred over one-third of the population. The surviving others fled across the borders into British territory. The Mestizos are found everywhere in Belize but most make their homes in the northern districts of Corozal and Orange Walk. In the 1980's a wave of Central American migrants fromEl Salvador,Guatemala,Honduras, andNicaraguacame to settle in Belize. The Government of Belize with the help of the United Nations opened the nation's doors to Central American neighbors fleeing from civil war and persecution.
Due to the influences of Belizean Creole and English, many Mestizos speak what is known as"Kitchen Spanish".The mixture of Yucatec Mestizo and YucatecMaya foods like tamales, escabeche, chirmole, relleno, and empanadas came from their Mexican side and corn tortillas were handed down by their Mayan side. Music comes mainly from themarimba, but they also play and sing with the guitar. Dances performed at village fiestas include the Hog-Head, Zapateados, the Mestizada, Paso Doble and many more. 
Just like Southern Mexico and Northern Belize the marimba and its music is an iconic and important traditional folklore instrument across Central America. Some typical Central American foods blended into the Belizean gastronomy are the famous Salvadorian pupusas, the famous Honduran baliadas, the gacho, tajadas, tostones and they have also influenced the form of the Spanish language in the South of Belize. In the short span of their mass migration to Belize, Central American immigrants have contributed significantly to Belize not only culturally but also economically.
The Yucatec Mestizo culture is unique and very different from the culture of those migrants and refugees coming form other Central American countries. Mestizos make up   37% of the population and Latin American Immigrants and refugees make up  15% of the population. Together the Mestizo and Hispanic population make up roughly 52% of the Belizean population.
Whitesor Caucasians in Belize are around 4.8% of the population, being people and descendants from Ireland and the United Kingdom, immigrants  from the United States and Canada,Lebanese,Mennonitesand many others brought to assist the country's development.  Irish settlers and migrants and veterans fromLouisianaand other Southern states establishedConfederate settlements in British Hondurasand introduced commercial sugar cane production to the colony, establishing 11 settlements in the interior.
The biggest Caucasian group are the Mennonites: they divide themselves into traditional and conservative or orthodox Mennonites and modern or reformed Mennonites.
Over 12,000Plautdietsch-speakingMennoniteslive in Belize, farming the land and living according to their religious beliefs.
The majority of theMennonitepopulation comprises so-calledRussian Mennonitesof German descent who settled in theRussian Empireduring the 18th and 19th centuries. Most Russian Mennonites live in Mennonite settlements likeSpanish Lookout,Shipyard,Little Belize, and Blue Creek. These Mennonites speakPlautdietsch(aLow German dialect) in everyday life, but use mostlyStandard Germanfor reading (the Bible) and writing. The Plautdietsch-speakingMennonites came mostly from Mexicoin the years after 1958 and they are trilingual with proficiency in Spanish. There are also some mainlyPennsylvania Dutch-speakingOld Order Mennoniteswho came from the United States and Canada in the late 1960s. They live primarily inUpper Barton Creekand associated settlements. These Mennonites attracted people from differentAnabaptistbackgrounds who formed a new community. They look quite similar toOld Order Amish, but are different from them.
Indo-Belizeans, also known asEast Indian Belizeans, are citizens of Belize ofIndianancestry. The community made up 3.9% of the population of Belize in 2010.and are a bit over 2% presently. They are part of the widerIndo-Caribbeancommunity, which itself is a part of the globalIndian diaspora.
East Indians began arriving in Belize after theIndian Rebellion of 1857, with the first ship with Indians arriving in 1858 as part of theIndian indenture systemset up by the British government after slavery was abolished.Initially coming in as indentured, many of them stayed on to work the sugar plantations and were joined by other Indian immigrants. Indians have spread out over many villages and towns primarily in the Corozal and Toledo districts and live in reasonably compact rural communities. While there are few descendants of the original Indian indentured immigrants of full Indian descent, many of their descendants intermarried with other ethnic groups in Belize, notably theCreolesandMestizos. However, they are still identifiable through their physiognomy and are known as 'Hindus' or 'East Indians'.This set of Indians were almost entirely composed of people from theBhojpurregion,Awadhregion, and other places in theHindustani BeltinNorth India. A minority of indentured labourers were fromSouth Indiaand other regions throughoutSouth Asia. Most Indians in urban areas are entrepreneurs and are invested in the import and retail industry.
The 20th century saw the arrival of more Asian settlers fromMainland China, India,SyriaandLebanon.Said Musa, the son of an immigrant fromPalestine, was thePrime Minister of Belizefrom 1998 to 2008.
The importation of Chinese workers to British Honduras was a response to economic shifts in the mid-19th century. Aslogwoodandmahoganyproduction declined,sugarcaneplantationsbecame of increasing importance. Recruitment of workers from China was facilitated by the colonial governorJohn Gardiner Austin, who had previously served as a labour broker inXiamen,Fujianon China's southeast coast.474 Chinese workers thus arrived in British Honduras in 1865.They were sent to the north of the colony, but were reassigned to central and southern areas beginning in 1866 due to the large numbers of deaths and abscondments.By 1869, only 211 remained accounted for; 108 had died, while another 155 had sought refuge with the native peoples atChan Santa Cruz.
From  the 1990s and presently, Belize has been a safe haven and many have integrated to Belizean society. Belize'scitizenship-by-investmentprogramme, which began in 1986, was a popular option among Chinese migrants in the 1990s.In response to the demand, the price rose from US$25,000 to US$50,000 in 1997. Hong Kong migrants, who lacked realBritish citizenshipbut only hadBritish National (Overseas)status, sought to obtainBelizean passportsas an insurance policy in case conditions in their homeland went downhill after the1997 resumption of sovereignty by China.
The East Asians and Arabs are an overwhelmingly urban population, with five-sixths living in cities, the highest proportion out of all tabulated ethnic groups. This is a slightly higher proportion than Garifuna people and Creoles, but contrasted sharply with East Indians, of whom roughly half live in rural areas. East Asians are big on the retail industry and fast food restaurant chains in Belize so are Arabs.
Belizean Arabs are mostly found at Belize City and the towns in the islands and cayes. Belizean Arabs although a minority have contributed to politics and education throughout the history of Belize. Some influential Arab families are the Musas, Espat, Shoman, Chebat among others. Their influence on the People's United Party has made Belize an advocate to Palestine's right to self-determination.
Creoles and other ethnic groups are emigrating mostly to the United States, but also to the United Kingdom and other developed nations for better opportunities. Based on the latestUS Census, the number of Belizeans in the United States is approximately 160,000 (including 70,000 legal residents and naturalized citizens), consisting mainly of Creoles and Garinagu.
Because of conflicts in neighboring Central American nations, Hispanics or Latin Americanrefugeesfrom El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras have fled to Belize in significant numbers during the 1980s, and have been significantly adding to Belize's Hispanic population. These two events have been changing the demographics of the nation for the last 30 years.In the 2020 U.S. Census Data, Belizeans made the top 5, ranking at number 4, of largest "Some Other Race Alone" or "Some Other Race Alone or in Any Combination" group. The number of Belizeans in the "Some Other Race Alone" was 11,311 people, and the number of Belizeans in the "Some Other Race Alone or in any Combination" was 48,618 people.However, the U.S. State Department estimates upwards 100,000 Belizeans are in the U.S., making it the largest Belizean diaspora outside of Belize.
Because of conflicts in neighbouring Central American nations, Hispanics or Latin Americanrefugeesfrom El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras have fled to Belize in significant numbers during the 1980s, and have been significantly adding to Belize's Hispanic population. These two events have been changing the demographics of the nation for the last 30 years. $2.62 Billion U.S. dollars were given in aid to Belize from the U.S., between 2020 to 2023, to help with the uptick in violence with trafficking, including drug and human, narcotic smuggling, and the spread of organized gang violence. The aid was dedicated to reinforcing Belize's police enforcement system and tighter border regulations.Belize led to a request for assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in 2016, which led to the 2018 launch of a national migration policy plan.Most migrants enter Belize with intentions to cross into the U.S., and as of 2018, migrants made up 15% of Belize's population.
Migration in Belize is a combination of ethnic Belizeans often migrating to the U.S., and sometimes Canada or another English speaking countries. The majority of immigrants to Belize are from other Central American countries like Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras, which has a fairly welcoming immigration policy to help assimilate.Belizeans have historically moved to the US and Canada mostly in search of better educational opportunities, family reunions, and economic prospects.Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a key instrument that has made this trend possible in the US. TPS allows individuals from nations that are undergoing armed conflicts, natural disasters, or extraordinary situations to temporarily stay in the United States. This status has been especially important for Belizeans since Hurricane Hattie in 1961 forced major internal relocation.Belizean immigrants frequently participate in family reunion programs in Canada, which is consistent with the country's larger immigration policy that values social integration and family harmony.
Belize's major economic sector is services, making up over 60% of the economy, so after Covid-19, the economy suffered from the decline of tourism. However, during Covid-19, immigration did not stop. Nearly 50% of migrants came from Guatemala, and the total composition of the migrants was around 50% men and 49% women.The majority of Guatemalan migrants were from indigenous populations like the Mopan Maya or Kekchi Maya Indians, and many remained in urban areas for economic opportunity, while ethnic Belizeans moved to rural areas.
Englishis the official language of Belize. This stems from the country being a former British colony. Belize is the only country in Central America with English as the official language. Also, English is the primary language of public education, government, and most media outlets. Although English is widely used,Belizean Creoleis spoken in several situations, whether informal, formal, social, or interethnicdialogue, even in meetings of the House of Representatives.
When a creole language exists alongside itslexifierlanguage, as is the case in Belize, a continuum forms between the creole and the lexifier language.
Approximately 52.9% of Belizeans self-identify asMestizo,Hispanic. When Belize was a British colony,Spanishwas banned in schools, but since then it has become widely spoken."Kitchen Spanish"is an intermediate form of Spanish mixed with Belize Creole, spoken in the northern districts. Some good examples areCorozalandSan Pedro.
Over half the population ismultilingual.Being a small, multiethnic state, surrounded by Spanish-speaking nations, the economic and social benefits from multilingualism are high.
Belize is also home to threeMayan languages:Q'eqchi',Mopan(anendangered language), andYucatec Maya.Approximately 16,100 people speak theArawakan-basedGarifuna language,and 6,900 Mennonites in Belize speak mainlyPlautdietschwhile a minority of Mennonites speakPennsylvania Dutch.
According to the 2010 census,40.1% of Belizeans areRoman Catholics, 31.8% areProtestants(8.4%Pentecostal; 5.4%Adventist; 4.7%Anglican; 3.7%Mennonite; 3.6%Baptist; 2.9%Methodist; 2.8%Nazarene), 1.7% areJehovah's Witnesses, 10.3% adhere to other religions (Maya religion,Garifuna religion,ObeahandMyalism, and minorities ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,Hindus,Buddhists,Muslims,Baháʼís,Rastafariansand other) and 15.5% profess to be irreligious.
According to PROLADES, Belize was 64.6% Roman Catholic, 27.8% Protestant, 7.6% Other in 1971.Until the late 1990s, Belize wasa Roman Catholic majority country. Catholics formed 57% of the population in 1991, and dropped to 49% in 2000. The percentage of Roman Catholics in the population has been decreasing in the past few decades due to the growth of Protestant churches, other religions and non-religious people.
In addition to Catholics, there has always beena large accompanying Protestant minority. It was brought byBritish,German, and other settlers to the British colony ofBritish Honduras. From the beginning, it was largelyAnglicanandMennonitein nature. The Protestant community in Belize experienced a largePentecostalandSeventh-Day Adventistinflux tied to the recent spread of variousEvangelical Protestantdenominations throughoutLatin America. Geographically speaking,German Mennoniteslive mostly in the rural districts of Cayo and Orange Walk.
TheGreek Orthodox Churchhas a presence inSanta Elena.
TheAssociation of Religion Data Archivesestimates there were 7,776 Baháʼís in Belize in 2005, or 2.5% of the national population. Their estimates suggest this is the highest proportion of Baháʼís in any country.Their data also states that the Baháʼí Faith is the second most common religion in Belize, following Christianity.Hinduism is followed by most Indian immigrants.Sikhswere the firstIndian immigrants to Belize (not counting indentured workers), and the formerChief Justice of BelizeGeorge Singhwas the son of aSikh immigrant,there was also a Sikh cabinet minister. Muslims claim that there have been Muslims in Belize since the 16th century having been brought over from Africa as slaves, but there are no sources for that claim.The modern Muslim population grew from the 1980s. Muslims numbered 243 in 2000 and 577 in 2010 according to the official statistics.and account for 0.16 percent of the population. A mosque is at the Islamic Mission of Belize (IMB), also known as the Muslim Community of Belize. Another mosque, Masjid Al-Falah, officially opened in 2008 in Belize City.
Belize has a high prevalence of communicable diseases such as respiratory diseases and intestinal illnesses.
A number of kindergartens, secondary, and tertiary schools in Belize provide education for students—mostly funded by the government. Belize has about a dozentertiary level institutions, the most prominent of which is theUniversity of Belize, which evolved out of the University College of Belize founded in 1986. Before thatSt. John's College, founded in 1877, dominated the tertiary education field. The Open Campus of theUniversity of the West Indieshas a site in Belize.It also has campuses inBarbados,Trinidad, andJamaica. The government of Belize contributes financially to the UWI.
Education in Belize is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 14 years. As of 2010, the literacy rate in Belize was estimated at 79.7%,one of thelowest in the Western Hemisphere.
The educational policy is currently following the "Education Sector Strategy 2011–2016", which sets three objectives for the years to come: Improving access, quality, and governance of the education system by providing technical andvocational educationand training.
Belize has moderate rates of violent crime.The majority of violence in Belize stems from gang activity, which includes trafficking of drugs and persons, protecting drug smuggling routes, and securing territory for drug dealing.
In 2023, 87 murders were recorded in Belize, giving the country a homicide rate of 19.7 murders per 100,000 inhabitants,lower than the neighbouring countries of Mexico andHonduras, but higher thanGuatemalaandEl Salvador.Belize District(containing Belize City) had the most murders by far compared to all the other districts. In 2023, 66% of the murders occurred in the Belize District.The violence in Belize City (especially the southern part of the city) is largely due to gang warfare.
In 2023, there were 34 reported cases of rape, 170 robberies, 628 burglaries, and 118 cases of theft.
Belize's social structure is marked by enduring differences in the distribution of wealth, power, and prestige. Because of the small size of Belize's population and the intimate scale of social relations, the social distance between the rich and the poor, while significant, is nowhere as vast as in otherCaribbeanandCentral Americansocieties, such asJamaicaandEl Salvador. Belize lacks the violent class and racial conflict that has figured so prominently in the social life of its Central American neighbours.
Political and economic power remain vested in the hands of the local elite. The sizeable middle group is composed of peoples of different ethnic backgrounds. This middle group does not constitute a unifiedsocial class, but rather a number of middle-class andworking-classgroups, loosely oriented around shared dispositions toward education, cultural respectability, and possibilities for upward social mobility. These beliefs, and the social practices they engender, help distinguish the middle group from the grass roots majority of theBelizean people.
In 2021, theWorld Economic Forumranked Belize 90th out of 156 countries in itsGlobal Gender Gap Report. Of all the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Belize ranked fourth from last. It ranked higher in the categories of "economic participation and opportunity" and "health and survival", but very low in "political empowerment".In 2019, theUNgave Belize aGender Inequality Indexscore of 0.415, ranking it 97th out of 162 countries.
As of 2019, 49.9% of women in Belize participate in the workforce, compared to 80.6% of men.11.1% of the seats in Belize'sNational Assemblyare filled by women.
In Belizean folklore, there are the legends ofLang Bobi Suzi,La Llorona,La Sucia,Tata Duende,Anansi,Xtabay, Sisimite and thecadejo.
Most of thepublic holidays in Belizeare traditional Commonwealth andChristian holidays, although some are specific to Belizean culture such asGarifuna Settlement Dayand Heroes and Benefactors' Day, formerlyBaron Bliss Day.In addition, the month of September is considered aspecial time of national celebrationcalled September Celebrations with a whole month of activities on a special events calendar. BesidesIndependence Dayand St. George's Caye Day, Belizeans also celebrateCarnivalduring September, which typically includes several events spread across multiple days, with the main event being the Carnival Road March, usually held the Saturday before 10 September. In some areas of Belize, it is celebrated at the traditional time beforeLent(in February).
Belizean cuisine is a vibrant blend that reflects the country's multicultural makeup, incorporating elements from Mestizo, Creole, Garifuna, Maya, and immigrant influences, including Chinese and Indian traditions. This unique combination makes Belizean food an amalgamation of flavours fromCentral America, theCaribbean, and even further afield, producing dishes that are at once familiar to these areas yet distinctly Belizean.
Breakfastis often hearty, featuring staples like bread, flourtortillas, orfry jacks(fried dough pieces), which are typically paired with cheese, refried beans, and eggs, along with coffee or tea. Street vendors frequently offer breakfast options such as tacos andmeat pies, while a midday meal, known locally as "dinner," serves as the main meal of the day. Traditional midday dishes includerice and beans(with or without coconut milk), stewed chicken,tamales,escabeche(an onion soup), andpanades(fried corn shells with beans or fish).
In rural areas, meals often centre around locally grownmaize,beans, andsquash, particularly in Maya communities, whereasGarifuna cuisineis known for its Afro-Caribbean roots and heavily features seafood andcassava-based dishes likeereba(cassava bread). These local ingredients and cooking methods provide a deep connection to the land and traditions. This culinary diversity is supported by Belize's abundant agriculture, which allows for a wide variety of fresh ingredients, from tropical fruits to seafood.
The nation abounds with restaurants and fast food establishments that are fairly affordable. Local fruits are quite common, but raw vegetables from the markets less so. Mealtime is a communion for families and schools and some businesses close at midday for lunch, reopening later in the afternoon.
In recent years, Latin music, includingreggaetonandbanda, has experienced a surge in popularity in Belize, alongside the traditional genres of punta and brukdown. This growing trend reflects the influence of neighbouring Latin American countries and the cultural connections that exist within the region. The rise in popularity of Latin music in Belize demonstrates the vibrant and diverse musical landscape of the country, showcasing the ability of music to transcend borders and bring people together.
Puntais distinctly Caribbean, and is sometimes said to be ready for international popularization like similarly descended styles (reggae,calypso,merengue).
Brukdownis a modern style of Belizean music related tocalypso. It evolved out of the music and dance of loggers, especially a form calledburu.Reggae,dance hall, andsocaimported from Trinidad, Jamaica, and the rest of theWest Indies,rap,hip-hop,heavy metal, androck musicfrom the United States, are also popular among the youth of Belize.
The major sports in Belize arefootball,basketball,volleyballandcycling, with smaller followings ofboat racing,athletics,softball,cricketandrugby.Fishingis also popular in coastal areas of Belize.
TheCross Country Cycling Classic, also known as the "cross country" race or the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, is considered one of the most important Belize sports events. This one-day sports event is meant for amateur cyclists but has also gained worldwide popularity. The history of Cross Country Cycling Classic in Belize dates back to the period whenMonrad Metzgenpicked up the idea from a small village on theNorthern Highway(now Phillip Goldson Highway). The people from this village used to cover long distances on their bicycles to attend the weekly game of cricket. He improvised on this observation by creating a sporting event on the difficult terrain of theWestern Highway, which was then poorly built.
Another major annual sporting event in Belize is theLa Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge, a 4-daycanoe marathonheld each year in March. The race runs fromSan IgnaciotoBelize City, a distance of 290 kilometres (180 mi).
On Easter day, citizens of Dangriga participate in a yearly fishing tournament. First, second, and third prize are awarded based on a scoring combination of size, species, and number. The tournament is broadcast over local radio stations, and prize money is awarded to the winners.
TheBelize national basketball teamis the only national team that has achieved major victories internationally. The team won the 1998 CARICOM Men's Basketball Championship, held at the Civic Centre in Belize City, and subsequently participated in the 1999 Centrobasquet Tournament in Havana. The national team finished seventh of eight teams after winning only 1 game despite playing close all the way. In a return engagement at the 2000 CARICOM championship in Barbados, Belize placed fourth. Shortly thereafter, Belize moved to the Central American region and won the Central American Games championship in 2001.
The team has failed to duplicate this success, most recently finishing with a 2–4 record in the 2006 COCABA championship. The team finished second in the 2009 COCABA tournament in Cancun, Mexico where it went 3–0 in group play. Belize won its opening match in the Centrobasquet Tournament, 2010, defeating Trinidad and Tobago, but lost badly to Mexico in a rematch of the COCABA final. A tough win over Cuba set Belize in position to advance, but they fell to Puerto Rico in their final match and failed to qualify.
Simone Biles, the winner of four gold medals in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics is a dual citizen of the United States and of Belize,which she considers her second home.Biles is of Belizean-American descent.
The national flower of Belize is the black orchid (Prosthechea cochleata, also known asEncyclia cochleata). The national tree is themahoganytree (Swietenia macrophylla), which inspired the national mottoSub Umbra Floreo, which means "Under the shade I flourish". The national ground-dwelling animal is theBaird's tapirand the national bird is the keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulphuratus).
17°4′N88°42′W﻿ / ﻿17.067°N 88.700°W﻿ /17.067; -88.700