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Motto: |
Under the Shade we
Flourish |
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Location: |
On the Caribbean coast of
Central America with Mexico bordering on the north and part of the west,
and Guatemala on the southwest.
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Geographic
coordinates: |
17 15 N, 88 45 W |
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History: |
Belize was part of the Mayan
empire of Central America, which flourished between 300 and 900 AD. The
country changed hands between Spain and Britain from the early 1600s
until 1862 when the country became British Honduras. The country was
renamed Belize in 1973 and gained independence in 1981. |
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Elections: |
Last elections March 6,
2003. (People's United Party (PUP), won 22 seats in parliament. The challenger UDP won the remaining seven.) |
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Ruling Party: |
People's United Party (PUP) |
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Major Political Parties: |
People's United Party (PUP),
United Democratic Party (UDP), National Alliance for Belizean Rights (NABR) |
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Economic Summary: |
Real economic growth slowed
to approximately 4.2% in 1991 compared with the 9% average of the past
five years. This was due to adverse factors affecting agriculture and
tourism. However, public sector investment continued through externally
sourced funds and a draw down of Central Bank government deposits. There
was growth in forestry, fishing and mining. Tourism is increasing in
relative importance, and there is a manufacturing sector. In this
small, essentially private-enterprise economy the tourism industry is the
number one foreign exchange earner followed by marine products, citrus,
cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary
and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth
averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2006. Major concerns continue to be the
sizable trade deficit and unsustainable foreign debt. The government in
2006 announced it would seek a restructuring of its sovereign debt and has
been negotiating with international creditors to find an acceptable
formula for doing so. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of
poverty with the help of international donors. |
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Airport: |
Phillip Goldson International |
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Status: |
Independent (21 September
1981) |
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Capital: |
Belmopan |
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Head of Government: |
The
Hon. Said W. Musa |
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Executive branch:
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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 28 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; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime
minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy
prime minister |
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Head of State: |
Sir Colville N. Young
Sr., Governor-General |
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Area: |
22,960 square kilometres;
8,866 square miles |
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Population: |
230,000 (1997) |
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Currency |
Belize Dollar |
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GDP Per Capita (at Current
market Prices) |
EC$7,258 (1997) |
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Total Exports: |
EC$438 m (1998) |
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Total Imports: |
EC$789.1 (1998) |
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Intra-Regional Exports: |
EC$31.1m (1998) |
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Intra-Regional Imports: |
EC$28.9 m (1998) |
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Business Hours: |
Commercial: 08:00 to
16:00 hrs Monday to Friday
Government: 08:00 to 17:00 hrs
Monday to Friday
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National Holidays: |
New Year's Day (01 January);
Baron Bliss Day (09 March); Good Friday; Holy Saturday; Easter Monday; Labor
Day (02 May); Sovereign's Day (24 May); National Day (10
September); Independence Day (21 September); Columbus Day (12 October);
Garifuna Settlement Day (19 November); Christmas Day (25 December);
Boxing Day (26 December) |
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Date of CARICOM Membership: |
1 May 1974 |
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National Anthem: |
Land of the Free
O, Land of the Free by the Carib Sea,
Our Manhood we pledge to thy liberty!
No tyrants here linger, despots must flee
This tranquil haven of democracy
The blood of our sires which hallows the sod
Brought freedom from slavery oppression's rod,
By the might of truth and the grace of God.
No longer shall we be hewers of wood.
Chorus:
Arise! ye sons of the Baymen's clan,
Put on your armours, clear the land!
Drive back the tyrants, let despots flee -
Land of the Free by the Carib Sea!
Nature has blessed thee with wealth
untold,
O'er mountains and valleys where prairies roll;
Our fathers the Baymen, valiant and bold
Drove back the invader; this heritage bold
From proud Rio Hondo to old Sarstoon,
Through coral isle, over blue lagoon;
Keep watch with the angels, the stars and moon;
For freedom comes to-morrow's noon.
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Highest National Award: |
The Queen's Award |
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Favourite Dish: |
Rice and beans with meat and
potato salad |
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