Belize is situated on the Caribbean Sea, South of Mexico and East and North of Guatemala in Central America. Belize is formerly known as BRITISH HONDURAS. In Area,  it is about the size of New Hamsphire.  Most of the country is heavily forested with various hardwoods. Mangroove swamps and Cayes along the coast give way to the hills and mountains in the interior.

Area                 :   8,867 SQ.MI (22,966 SQ. KM)

Coastline           :   386 Km

Population         :   279,457 (2005 Est. )

Capital City        :   BELMOPAN  - Population is 11,100 ( Mid 2003 Est. )

Largest City       :   BELIZE CITY - Population is 64,100 ( Mid 2003 Est. )

Climate             :  Tropical;  hot and humid 75-89F,  rainy season ( May to February)

Languages        :   ENGLISH  ( Official ), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna, Creole

Currency          :   Belize Dollar ( Bz$ )    

Convertion Rate :  USD $1.00 =  Bz$ 2.00  since May 1976

Ethnicity/Race

Religions

Government Type:

Parliamentary Democracy within the British Commonwealth.

History:

The Mayan Civilization spread into the area of Belize between 1500 B.C and A.D 300 and flourished until about 1200.  In 1840 it became a British Colony and known as BRITISH HONDURAS.  In 1964 they were granted full internal self government .  In 1973, the country changed its name to BELIZE.

Independence day :  Sept. 21, 1981

Economy :

BELIZE has a small open economy and its principal sectors are currently;

1. Agriculture ( 71% of the country's total foreign exchange earnings).

2. Manufacturing, which included agro-products such as sugar and citrus products and;

3. Services, which include primarily tourism.

Environment:

BELIZE has managed to preserve its natural environment more effectively than any of its neighbors in Latin America and the Caribbean.