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Belize is an independent country located on the east
coast of Central America, bordered on the north by the
Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, on the south and west by
Guatemala and on the east by the Caribbean Sea. It
obtained independence from the British in 1981 and is
run by an elected government. The country however chose
to be a part of the Commonwealth Nations having Queen
Elizabeth as the Head of the State. |
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Belize is a small country spread over
8,867 sq. miles and has a population of about 300,000
(25 persons per sq. kilometer). It is rich in natural
resources in the form of rain forests, flora and fauna,
marine life and a long coastline of 170 miles.
Belmopan is the capital of Belize and Belize City is the
largest city. Major towns are San Ignacio, Corozal,
Orange Walk, Dangriga, Punta Gorda, San Pedro and Benque
Viejo del Carmen.
English is the official language of Belize. Government
documents, newspapers, television, road and business
signs are all in English. Other languages spoken in
Belize are Spanish and Creole apart from a number of
indigenous languages such as Garifuna, Mopan and Kechi.
The climate is sub tropical with dry and rainy seasons
(rainfall ranges from 60 inches in the north to over 200
inches in the south).
Belizeans are warm and friendly people. The country is
influenced by six cultures. The terrain is forested having
hardwood trees, a long coastline, mountains, caves and
trails. Belize has an astounding variety of flora and
fauna and marine life and offers tourists and residents
an experience of nature that they can never experience
anywhere else.
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Economy / Currency: Belize dollar (BZ$)
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Exchange Rate: US$1=BZ$2
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