Belize is a small country located in Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The capital and largest city is Belmopan, but the commercial and cultural hub is the coastal city of Belize City. The official language is English, although Spanish and Creole are also widely spoken. With a population of just over 400,000 people, Belize is one of the least populated countries in Central America.

Belize has a diverse economy, with tourism, agriculture, and fisheries as the major industries. The country is known for its beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and diverse ecosystems, which attract many visitors each year. Agriculture is an important sector, with major crops including sugar cane, bananas, and citrus fruits. The country also has a growing aquaculture industry, producing shrimp and tilapia for export.

Belize is a parliamentary democracy, with a Queen of Belize serving as the head of state and a Prime Minister serving as the head of government. The country is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Caribbean Community, among other international organizations.

Belize has a rich cultural heritage, influenced by its history as a British colony and as a Mayan civilization. The country has a variety of festivals and celebrations throughout the year, including the September Celebrations, which commemorate Belize's independence from Britain, and the Garifuna Settlement Day, which celebrates the arrival of the Garifuna people to Belize.

Despite its many strengths, Belize faces challenges such as poverty, limited economic opportunities, and environmental degradation. The country has taken steps to address these issues, including promoting sustainable tourism, investing in infrastructure and education, and protecting its natural resources through conservation programs.

National holiday
Battle of St. George's Caye Day (National Day), 10 September (1798); Independence Day, 21 September (1981)

Telephone Code
501

Local Emergency Phone
911

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)

Currency (Code)
Dollars (BZD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
110 V, 220 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, G (same as US plug)

Major Languages
English, Spanish, Belize Creole, Maya, German, Garifuna

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 40.1%, Protestant 31.5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 10.5%, none 15.5%

Potable Water
Yes, but some opt for bottled water outside the cities

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Ambergris Caye; Lighthouse Reef Atoll & the Blue Hole; Turneffe Islands Atoll; Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary; Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

Major Sports
Soccer, basketball, sailing

Cultural Practices
Haggling is uncommon and considered rude, except at street markets.

Tipping Guidelines
A tip between 15-20% is appropriate in restaurants and bars. Tipping taxi drivers is typically rare because metropolitan prices are low. A tip somewhere between 5-15% of the total bill is appropriate for hotel staff.

Souvenirs
Mayan woven baskets and textiles, conch jewelry, wood-carved kitchenware and decorative items, handmade hammocks, native dolls, rum

Traditional Cuisine
Belizean Rice and Beans — red kidney beans and rice stewed in coconut milk; typically served with meat and potato salad and/or plantains

Geography
Area
total: 22,966 sq km
land: 22,806 sq km
water: 160 sq km

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

Natural resources
arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower

People and Society
Population
419,137 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
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.)

Languages
English 62.9% (official), Spanish 56.6%, Creole 44.6%, Maya 10.5%, German 3.2%, Garifuna 2.9%, other 1.8%, unknown 0.5%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2010 est.)

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, Church of Jesus Christ, Muslim, Rastafarian, Salvation Army), unspecified 0.6%, none 15.5% (2010 est.)

Population growth rate
1.61% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Capital
name: Belmopan

Economy
Economic overview
tourism- and agriculture-driven economy initially hard hit by COVID-19; ongoing export recovery, especially fruits and sugar demand surges; investing towards a “blue economy”; central bank offering USD-denominated treasury notes; high mobility across borders

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$3.505 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$8,800 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
sugar care, oranges, bananas, maize, poultry, rice, sorghum, papayas, grapefruit, soybeans

Industries
garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil

Exports
$1.044 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
United Kingdom 27%, United States 24%, Spain 6%, Jamaica 5%, Ireland 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
raw sugar, bananas, fruit juice, fish products, crude petroleum (2019)

Imports
$1.252 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
United States 36%, China 13%, Mexico 12%, Guatemala 10% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cigarettes, recreational boats, natural gas, cars (2019)