Page last updated on December 17, 2013

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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, set for 6 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 HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Central America.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17 15 N, 88 45 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 22,966 sq km
country comparison to the world: 152
land: 22,806 sq km
water: 160 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 516 km
border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
386 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,160 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 3.27%
permanent crops: 1.39%
other: 95.34% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
30 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.55 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 0.22 cu km/yr (4%/49%/46%)
per capita: 845.2 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Belizean(s)
adjective: Belizean
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% (2000 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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 Baha'i Faith, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Mormon), other (unknown) 3.1%, none 15.2% (2010 census)
Demographic profile:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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.
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
334,297 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 35.8% (male 61,118/female 58,665)
15-24 years: 21.1% (male 35,912/female 34,596)
25-54 years: 35.1% (male 59,196/female 58,024)
55-64 years: 4.4% (male 7,374/female 7,407)
65 years and over: 3.6% (male 5,677/female 6,328) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 60.9 %
youth dependency ratio: 54.5 %
elderly dependency ratio: 6.4 %
potential support ratio: 15.6 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 21.5 years
male: 21.4 years
female: 21.7 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.97% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.58 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.93 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 52% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
BELMOPAN (capital) 14,000 (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
53 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 106
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 20.82 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 90
male: 23.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 68.4 years
country comparison to the world: 160
male: 66.75 years
female: 70.13 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.08 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
55.2% (2011)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.7% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 120
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.83 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.1 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,800 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
33.7% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 15
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.9% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 88
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.6% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 27
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 76.9%
male: 76.7%
female: 77.1% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2003)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 27,751
percentage: 40 % (2001 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 19.5%
country comparison to the world: 60
male: 13.8%
female: 28.8% (2005)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Belize
former: British Honduras
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Belmopan
geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W
time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21 September 1981 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1954, 1963 (preindependence); latest signed and entered into force 21 September 1981; amended several times, last in 2012 (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English common law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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 )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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 2.1%; seats by party - UDP 17, PUP 14
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 2 judges)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader; other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75
subordinate courts: Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil)
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
National Alliance for Belizean Rights or NABR
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Nicole HAYLOCK]
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Nestor MENDEZ (since 10 July 2008)
chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636
FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Margaret HAWTHORNE
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
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Baird's tapir (a large, browsing, forest-dwelling mammal); keel-billed toucan
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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)
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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 2010-2012, 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 paid half of a $23 million interest payment that had been due in August 2012. In January 2013, the government announced that it had reached a deal with creditors to restructure its $544 million commercial external debt, commonly referred to as the "superbond." The superbond 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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.967 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.558 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$8,700 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
29.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 76.7%
government consumption: 17.3%
investment in fixed capital: 30.2%
investment in inventories: 0.9%
exports of goods and services: 67.5%
imports of goods and services: -93%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 13%
industry: 23%
services: 64% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
120,500
country comparison to the world: 180
note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 10.2%
industry: 18.1%
services: 71.7% (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.3% (2012)
country comparison to the world: 120
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
41.3% (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $450 million
expenditures: $450 million (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
84.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 April - 31 March
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.4% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$551.5 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.263 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-27.5 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$628.3 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood, crude oil
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 31.8%, UK 21.9%, Nigeria 4.8%, Japan 4.1%, Netherlands 4.1% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$837.1 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 23.6%, Germany 15%, Mexico 11.5%, Cuba 8.4%, Guatemala 4.8%, China 4.7%, Singapore 4% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$288.9 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.473 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
524.2 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
630 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
171 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
178,100 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
51.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,239 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,345 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.7 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 94
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,044 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,493 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 115
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
536,300 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25,400 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 180
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
164,200 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 184
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.bz
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,392 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 152
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
36,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 178
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 92
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 3 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 41
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m:
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,870 km
country comparison to the world: 169
paved: 488 km
unpaved: 2,382 km (2011)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 71
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Belize City, Big Creek
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, BDF Air Wing (includes Special Boat Unit), BDF Volunteer Guard (2011)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 81,284
females age 16-49: 79,185 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 59,431
females age 16-49: 57,221 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 3,723
female: 3,584 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.2% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 118
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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