nominally 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented
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)
Spanish
Exports
sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood
sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medical products, citrus, coffee
External Debt
$1,079,000,000 $
$21,520,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2008 est.), 2 (2007), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004)
Cuban pesos (CUP) per US dollar - 0.9259 (2008 est.), 0.9259 (2007), 0.9231 (2006) note: Cuba has two currencies in circulation: the Cuban peso (CUP) and the convertible peso (CUC); in April 2005 the official exchange rate changed from $1 per CUC to $1.08 per CUC (0.93 CUC per $1), both for individuals and enterprises; individuals can buy 24 Cuban pesos (CUP) for each CUC sold, or sell 25 Cuban pesos for each CUC bought; enterprises, however, must exchange CUP and CUC at a 1:1 ratio.
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.400%
3.800%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
24
Location
Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida
Area
22,966 km sq
110,860 km sq
Coastline
386 km
3,735 km
Climate
tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October)
