Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor Prime minister: Dean Barrow
Population
327,719
21,952,093
Life Expectancy
68.280 years
57.250 years
Capital City
Belmopan
Largest city
Belize City (population: 61,461)
(population: )
Human Development Index
0.771
NA
GDP per capita
$8,400 US
Literacy Rate
76.9%
48.7%
Corruption Perception Index
2.9
NA
Percentage of Women in Parliament
11.1%
NA
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
13.100%
Death Penalty
Legal
NA
Political System
parliamentary democracy
republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 note: the government is currently operating under a power-sharing agreement mandated by international mediators
Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, indigenous 11.9%, none 16.7% (2008 est) note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%)
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)
French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken
Exports
sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood
External Debt
$1,079,000,000 $
Exchange Rate
Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2008 est.), 2 (2007), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.400%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia
Area
22,966 km sq
322,463 km sq
Coastline
386 km
515 km
Climate
tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October)
