Background: Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. The country is plagued by high unemployment growing involvement in the South American drug trade and increased urban crime.

Land boundaries: 516 km total; Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km

Coastline: 386 km

Maritime claims: Territorial sea:3 nm

Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to February)

Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south

Natural resources: arable land: potential, timber, fish

Land use: 2% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 2% meadows and pastures; 44% forest and woodland; 52% other; includes NEGL% irrigated

Geography
Note: national capital moved 80 km inland from Belize City to Belmopan because of hurricanes; only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean

Population: 219,737 (July 1990), growth rate 3.7% (1990)

Nationality: noun--Belizean(s; adjective--Belizean

Ethnic groups: 39.7% Creole, 33.1% Mestizo, 9.5% Maya, 7.6% Garifuna, 2.1% East Indian, 8.0% other

Languages: English (official), Spanish, Maya, Garifuna (Carib)

Religions: 60% Roman Catholic; 40% Protestant (Anglican, Seventh-Day Adventist, Methodist, Baptist, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mennonite)

Birth rate: 38 births/1000 population (1990)

Death rate: 6 deaths/1000 population (1990)

Net migration rate: 4 migrants/1000 population (1990)

Environment
Current issues: frequent devastating hurricanes (September to December) and coastal flooding (especially in south; deforestation

Infant mortality rate: 35 deaths/1000 live births (1990)

Life expectancy at birth: 67 years male, 72 years female (1990)

Total fertility rate: 4.8 children born/woman (1990)

Literacy: 93% (est.)

Country name: conventional long form: none

Government type: parliamentary

Capital: Belmopan

Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo

Independence: 21 September 1981 (from UK; formerly British Honduras)

National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September

Constitution: 21 September 1981

Legal system: English law

Suffrage: universal at age 18

Executive branch: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Elmira Minita GORDON (since 21 September 1981; Head of Government--Prime Minister George Cadle PRICE (since 4 September 1989)

Legislative branch: British Forces Belize, Belize Defense Force, Coast Guard, Police Department

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

International organization participation: ACP, CARICOM, CDB, Commonwealth, FAO, GATT, IBRD, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, G-77, ISO, ITU, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation
In the us: Ambassador Edward A. LAING; Chancery at Suite 2J, 3,400 International Drive NW, Washington DC 20,008; telephone (202) 363-4,505; US--Ambassador Robert G. RICH, Jr.; Embassy at Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City (mailing address is P. O. Box 286, Belize City; telephone p501o 77,161 through 77,163

Flag description: 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 with a mahogany tree at the top and the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland

Economy overview: The economy is based primarily on agriculture and merchandising. Agriculture accounts for more than 30% of GDP and provides 75% of export earnings, while sugar, the chief crop, accounts for almost 40% of hard currency earnings. The US, Belize's main trading partner, is assisting in efforts to reduce dependency on sugar with an agricultural diversification program. In 1987 the drop in income from sugar sales to the US because of quota reductions was almost totally offset by higher world prices for sugar.

Agriculture products: accounts for 30% of GDP (including fish and forestry; commercial crops include sugarcane, bananas, coca, citrus fruits; expanding output of lumber and cultured shrimp; net importer of basic foods

Industries: sugar refining, clothing, timber and forest products, furniture, rum, soap, beverages, cigarettes, tourism

Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1988)

Labor force:

Unemployment rate: 14% (1988 est.)

Budget: revenues $94.6 million; expenditures $74.3 million, including capital expenditures of $33.9 million (1988 est.)

Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March

Exports: $120 million (f.o.b., 1988)
Commodities: sugar, clothing, seafood, molasses, citrus, wood and wood products
Partners: US 47%, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada (1987)

Imports: $176 million (c.i.f., 1988)
Commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, food, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Partners: US 55%, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Mexico (1987)

Debt external: $140 million (December 1988)

Exchange rates: Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1--2.00 (fixed rate)

Electricity
Capacity: 34,000 kW capacity; 88 million kWh produced, 500 kWh per capita (1989)

Military expenditures
Percent of gdp: 2.0% of GDP, or $4.6 million (1989 est.)

Airports: 38 total, 30 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

Waterways: 825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable

Disputes international: claimed by Guatemala, but boundary negotiations are under way

Illicit drugs: an illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; eradication program cut marijuana production from 200 metric tons in 1987 to 66 metric tons in 1989; transshipment point for cocaine