Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Languages
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)
Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Exports
sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood
petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%
External Debt
$1,079,000,000 $
$4,699,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2008 est.), 2 (2007), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004)
Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 63.25 (2008 est.), 69.9 (2007), 72.647 (2006), 73.276 (2005), 72.061 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.400%
3.300%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
2
Location
Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Area
22,966 km sq
2,381,741 km sq
Coastline
386 km
998 km
Climate
tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
