Quick Data on Belize
Short Name | Belize |
Capital | Belmopan |
Long Name | n/a |
Country Code | BH |
Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
Total Area | 22,966 sq km |
Population | 399,598 |
Language | English |
Nationality | Belizean(s) |
Geography of Belize
As a country in Central America, with coordinates at 17 15 N, 88 45 W, Belize neighbors Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 276 km. The terrain in Belize is described as flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south, with an average elevation point of 173 m. The climate of Belize: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May).
Surface Total | 22,966 sq km |
Land Surface | 22,806 sq km |
Water Surface | 160 sq km |
Land Boundaries | 542 km |
Neighbor Countries | Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 276 km |
Coastline | 386 km |
Lowest Elevation Point | Caribbean Sea 0 m |
Highest Elevation Point | Doyle’s Delight 1,124 m |
Resources of Belize
The country enjoys many types of natural resources, with the main ones being arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower. The agricultural land occupies 6.90% of Belize, while the land covered with forests is estimated at 60.60%.
Percent of Total Land | Surface Sq km | Data | |
Agricultural Land | 6.90% | 1,574 sq km | 2011 est. |
Irrigated Land | 35 sq km | 2012 | |
Forest Land | 60.60% | 13,820 sq km | 2011 est. |
Other Land | 32.50% | 7,412 sq km | 2011 est. |
Population of Belize
The population of the country is estimated at 399,598 people, with the biggest urban area having 23,000 BELMOPAN (capital) (2018). Known as Belizean(s), the people from Belize come from diversified ethnic groups such as mestizo 52.9%, Creole 25.9%, Maya 11.3%, Garifuna 6.1%, East Indian 3.9%, Mennonite 3.6%, white 1.2%, Asian 1%, other 1.2%, unknown 0.3% (2010 est.). The official language is English. Religions: Roman Catholic 40.1%, Protestant 31.5% (includes Pentecostal 8.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 4.7%, Mennonite 3.7%, Baptist 3.6%, Methodist 2.9%, Nazarene 2.8%), Jehovah’s Witness 1.7%, other 10.5% (includes Baha’i, Buddhist, Hindu, Mormon, Muslim, Rastafarian, Salvation Army), unspecified 0.6%, none 15.5% (2010 est.).
Population | 399,598 |
Nationality | Belizean(s) |
Official Language | English |
Other Languages | English 62.9% (official), Spanish 56.6%, Creole 44.6%, Maya 10.5%, German 3.2%, Garifuna 2.9%, other 1.8%, unknown 0.3%, none 0.2% (cannot speak) (2010 est.) |
Birth Rate | 22 births / 1000 population (2020 est.) |
Death Rate | 4.1 deaths / 1000 population (2020 est.) |
Urban Population | 46.00% of total population (2020) |
Physicians Density | 1.12 physicians/1,000 population (2017) |
Hospital Beds Density | 1 beds/1,000 population (2017) |
Governing Type of Belize
Belize is a parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm. The legal system makes use of English common law.
Governing Type | parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm |
Citizenship by Birth | yes |
Citizenship by Descent | yes |
Dual Citizenship | yes |
Residency Requirement for Naturalization | 5 years |
Suffrage Vote | 18 years of age; universal |
Economy of Belize
From a population total of 399,598, the labor force is 120,500 (2008 est.). The main products in agriculture are: bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber. Among the main industries considerable for the economy are: garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil. Its exports cover sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood, crude oil. The main import products are: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco.
Exports | $457.5 million (2017 est.) |
Imports | $845.9 million (2017 est.) |
Export Partners | UK 33.9%, US 22%, Jamaica 6.7%, Italy 6.4%, Barbados 5.9%, Ireland 5.5%, Netherlands 4.3% (2017) |
Import Partners | US 35.6%, China 11.2%, Mexico 11.2%, Guatemala 6.9% (2017) |
GDP / Capita | $8,300 (2017 est.) |
Electricity Production | 280 million kWh (2016 est.) |
Electrification Rate | electrification – total population: 92.2% (2016) |
Internet Users | 157,735 |
Internet Penetration Rate | 44.60% (July 2016 est.) |
For latest imports and exports data we recommend checking the website for the National Bank of Belize, statistics sectio