Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
World Factbook Title
navigation arrows
View Text Low Bandwidth Version Download Publication
page last updated on January 29, 2013
Flag of Belize
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Belize
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Belize
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
Photos of Belize
 
Navigation Arrow view 3 photos Opens in New Window
of Belize
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Belize
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992 and the two countries are involved in an ongoing border dispute. Guatemala and Belize plan to hold a simultaneous referendum, tentatively set for October 2013, to determine if this dispute will go before the International Court of Justice at The Hague. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include the country's heavy foreign debt burden, high unemployment, growing involvement in the Mexican and South American drug trade, high crime rates, and one of the highest prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS in Central America.
Back to Top
Geography ::Belize
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
17 15 N, 88 45 W
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 22,966 sq km
country comparison to the world: 152
land: 22,806 sq km
water: 160 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 516 km
border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
386 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,160 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 3.05%
permanent crops: 1.39%
other: 95.56% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
40 sq km (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18.6 cu km (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 0.15 cu km/yr (7%/73%/20%)
per capita: 556 cu m/yr (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
Back to Top
People and Society ::Belize
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Belizean(s)
adjective: Belizean
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% (2000 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Spanish 46%, Creole 32.9%, Mayan dialects 8.9%, English 3.9% (official), Garifuna 3.4% (Carib), German 3.3%, other 1.4%, unknown 0.2% (2000 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Roman Catholic 39.3%, Pentacostal 8.3%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.3%, Anglican 4.5%, Mennonite 3.7%, Baptist 3.5%, Methodist 2.8%, Nazarene 2.8%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.6%, other 9.9% (includes Bahai Faith, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Mormon), other (unknown) 3.1%, none 15.2% (2010 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Migration continues to transform Belize's population. About 16% of Belizeans live abroad, while immigrants constitute approximately 15% of Belize's population. Belizeans seeking job and educational opportunities have preferred to emigrate to the United States rather than former colonizer Great Britain because of the United States' closer proximity and stronger trade ties with Belize. Belizeans also emigrate to Canada, Mexico, and English-speaking Caribbean countries. The emigration of a large share of Creoles (Afro-Belizeans) and the influx of Central American immigrants, mainly Guatemalans, Salvadorans, and Hondurans, has changed Belize's ethnic composition. Mestizos have become the largest ethnic group, and Belize now has more native Spanish speakers than English or Creole speakers, despite English being the official language. In addition, Central American immigrants are establishing new communities in rural areas, which contrasts with the urbanization trend seen in neighboring countries. Recently, Chinese, European, and North American immigrants have become more frequent.
Immigration accounts for an increasing share of Belize's population growth rate, which is steadily falling due to fertility decline. Belize's declining birth rate and its increased life expectancy are creating an aging population. As the elderly population grows and nuclear families replace extended households, Belize's government will be challenged to balance a rising demand for pensions, social services, and healthcare for its senior citizens with the need to reduce poverty and social inequality and to improve sanitation.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
327,719 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 36.3% (male 60,730/ female 58,313)
15-64 years: 60.1% (male 99,683/ female 97,321)
65 years and over: 3.6% (male 5,538/ female 6,134) (2012 est.)
population pyramid:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 21.3 years
male: 21.1 years
female: 21.5 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.011% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
26.02 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 52% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
BELMOPAN (capital) 20,000 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
53 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 105
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 21.37 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 90
male: 23.85 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 68.28 years
country comparison to the world: 156
male: 66.61 years
female: 70.04 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.15 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.3% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 174
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.828 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.1 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
improved:
urban: 93% of population
rural: 86% of population
total: 90% of population
unimproved:
urban: 7% of population
rural: 14% of population
total: 10% of population
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4,800 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.9% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 86
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.7% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 36
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 76.9%
male: 76.7%
female: 77.1% (2000 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 19.5%
country comparison to the world: 60
male: 13.8%
female: 28.8% (2005)
Back to Top
Government ::Belize
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Belize
former: British Honduras
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Belmopan
geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W
time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
21 September 1981 (from the UK)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
21 September 1981
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
English common law
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 Dean Oliver BARROW (since 8 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar VEGA (since 12 February 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from the General Assembly
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 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; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (31 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held on 8 March 2012 (next to be held in 2017)
election results: percent of vote by party - UDP 50.4%, PUP 47.5%, other 2.8%; seats by party - UDP 17, PUP 14
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal; Privy Council in the UK; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ); Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil jurisdiction)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
National Alliance for Belizean Rights or NABR; National Reform Party or NRP [Cornelius DUECK]; People's National Party or PNP [Wil MAHEIA]; People's United Party or PUP [John BRICENO]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW]; Vision Inspired by the People or VIP [Paul MORGAN]; We the People Reform Movement or WTP [Hipolito BAUTISTA]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Nicole HAYLOCK]; Association of Concerned Belizeans or ACB [David VASQUEZ]; National Trade Union Congress of Belize or NTUC/B [Rene GOMEZ]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Nestor MENDEZ
chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636
FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Vinai THUMMALAPALLY
embassy: Floral Park Road, Belmopan City, Cayo District
mailing address: P.O. Box 497, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize
telephone: [501] 822-4011
FAX: [501] 822-4012
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 of 50 mahogany leaves; the colors are those of the two main political parties: blue for the PUP and red for the UDP; various elements of the coat of arms - the figures, the tools, the mahogany tree, and the garland of leaves - recall the logging industry that led to British settlement of Belize
note: Belize's flag is the only national flag that depicts human beings; two British overseas territories, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands, also depict humans
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Baird's tapir (a large, browsing, forest-dwelling mammal); keel-billed toucan
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: "Land of the Free"
lyrics/music: Samuel Alfred HAYNES/Selwyn Walford YOUNG
note: adopted 1981; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)
Back to Top
Economy ::Belize
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner in this small economy, followed by exports of marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2007. Oil discoveries in 2006 bolstered this growth. Exploration efforts have continued and production has increased a small amount. Growth slipped to 0% in 2009, and has remained at just over 2% per year during 2010-12, as a result of the global slowdown, natural disasters, and a temporary drop in the price of oil. With weak economic growth and a large public debt burden, fiscal spending is likely to be tight. In September 2012, the government defaulted on a $23 million payment on its global bond and is in talks with international bondholders to restructure the debt. The $544 million global bond due in 2029 - called the superbond because it was the product in 2007 of a debt consolidation - represents one-half of the country's public debt. A key government objective remains the reduction of poverty and inequality with the help of international donors. Although Belize has the second highest per capita income in Central America, the average income figure masks a huge income disparity between rich and poor. The 2010 Poverty Assessment shows that more than 4 out of 10 people live in poverty. The sizable trade deficit and heavy foreign debt burden continue to be major concerns.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2.896 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
$2.831 billion (2011 est.)
$2.776 billion (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.52 billion (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
2% (2011 est.)
2.7% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$8,400 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
$8,400 (2011 est.)
$8,400 (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 9.7%
industry: 19.4%
services: 59% (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
120,500
country comparison to the world: 179
note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 10.2%
industry: 18.1%
services: 71.7% (2007 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
13.1% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 135
8.2% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
43% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
26.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $450 million
expenditures: $450 million (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
29.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
90.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
88.5% of GDP (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
-2.5% (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
12% (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
13.7% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
13.36% (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$426.4 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
$419.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.263 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
$1.101 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
$968 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-$59.5 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
-$31.3 million (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$555.8 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
$603.3 million (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood, crude oil
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
US 38.1%, UK 16.5%, Costa Rica 10%, Nigeria 4.4% (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$770.1 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
$773.9 million (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
US 38.2%, Mexico 10.2%, Cuba 9.2%, Guatemala 5.4%, China 5%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.1% (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$238.9 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
$237.1 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.457 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
$1.398 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar -
2 (2012 est.)
2 (2011 est.)
2 (2010 est.)
2 (2009)
2 (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 April - 31 March
Back to Top
Energy ::Belize
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
307.2 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
285.7 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
102,100 kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
33.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
37.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
29.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6.7 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7,044 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3,553 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
980,500 Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Back to Top
Communications ::Belize
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
28,800 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 178
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
222,000 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 178
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: above-average system; trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay
domestic: fixed-line teledensity of slightly less than 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 70 per 100 persons
international: country code - 501; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6) (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8 privately-owned TV stations; multi-channel cable TV provides access to foreign stations; about 25 radio stations broadcasting on roughly 50 different frequencies; state-run radio was privatized in 1998 (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.bz
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3,392 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 152
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
36,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 178
Back to Top
Transportation ::Belize
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
43 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 99
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 3 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 37
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 26 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 3,007 km
country comparison to the world: 167
paved: 575 km
unpaved: 2,432 km (2006)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 71
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 247
country comparison to the world: 33
by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 33, cargo 156, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 30, roll on/roll off 10, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned: 152 (Bulgaria 1, China 61, Croatia 1, Estonia 1, Greece 2, Iceland 1, Italy 3, Latvia 9, Lithuania 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 2, Russia 30, Singapore 4, Switzerland 1, Syria 4, Thailand 1, Turkey 16, UAE 3, UK 4, Ukraine 6) (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Belize City, Big Creek
Back to Top
Military ::Belize
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, BDF Air Wing (includes Special Boat Unit), BDF Volunteer Guard (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1; initial service obligation 12 years (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 81,284
females age 16-49: 79,185 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 59,431
females age 16-49: 57,221 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 3,723
female: 3,584 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.4% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 104
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Belize
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Guatemala persists in its territorial claim to half of Belize, but agrees to the Line of Adjacency to keep Guatemalan squatters out of Belize's forested interior; both countries agreed in April 2012 to hold simultaneous referenda, scheduled for 6 October 2013, to decide whether to refer the dispute to the ICJ for binding resolution; Belize and Mexico are working to solve minor border demarcation discrepancies arising from inaccuracies in the 1898 border treaty
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis, primarily for local consumption; offshore sector money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and other crimes (2008)
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.