Belize ( British Honduras) is a country in Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico. Belize geographic coordinates 17 15 N, 88 45 W; area 22,806 sq km; area comparative slightly smaller than Massachusetts; land boundaries Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km; coastline 386 km; maritime claims 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; n; climate tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May); terrain flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south; elevation extremes Victoria Peak 1,160 m; natural resources arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower; land use 95.44% (2001); irrigated land 30 sq km (1998 est.); natural hazards frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south); environment current issues deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal; environment international agreements none of the selected agreements; geography note only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean;

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Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plagued by high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increasing urban crime. government type parliamentary democracy; capital Belmopan; administrative divisions 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo; independence 21 September 1981 (from UK); national holiday Independence Day, 21 September (1981); constitution 21 September 1981; legal system English law; suffrage 18 years of age; universal;

people

Belize population 279,457 (July 2005 est.); age structure 3.5% (male 4,768/female 5,123) (2005 est.); median age 19.49 years (2005 est.); population growth rate 2.33% (2005 est.); birth rate 29.34 births/1,000 population (2005 est.); death rate 6.04 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.); net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.); sex ratio 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.); infant mortality rate 28.97 deaths/1,000 live births; life expectancy at birth 70.08 years (2005 est.); total fertility rate 3.68 children born/woman (2005 est.); hiv adult rate 2.4% (2003 est.); hiv people with aids 3,600 (2003 est.); hiv deaths less than 200 (2003 est.); nationality Belizean; ethnic groups mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%; religions Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses; languages English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole; literacy 94.1% (2003 est.);

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Cities