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Belize was the site of a flourishing Mayan civilization until about 11th century A.D. A British shipwreck in 1638 resulted in the first European settlement. It formally became the crown colony of British Honduras in 1862, and its name was changed to Belize in 1973. Its independence was delayed until 1981 by long-running tension with neighboring Guatemala, which claims a large portion of its territory. Guatemala recognized Belize's independence in 1991, but the two countries have yet to settle their border dispute. Like many Caribbean economies, the country's services sector has overtaken the agriculture, fishing and forestry industries, with tourism serving as a major source of foreign currency.

 
Country Forecast
Major Cities
City Population Estimated
Belize 68,170 2009
San Ignacio 19,906 2009
Belmopan 19,151 2009
Key Data
Region : Central America and the Caribbean
Population : 331,883
Area Total : 22,960 km2
Area Land : 22,800 km2
Coast Line : 386 km
Capital : Belmopan
Climate : Tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to February)
Languages : English (official)
Spanish
Mayan
Garifuna (Carib)
Currency : 1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents
Holiday : Independence Day is 21 September (1981), Baron Bliss Day is 9 March
Average Daily TemperatureBoundaries
January : 23.30°C / 74.00°F
July : 27.20°C / 81.00°F
Annual Rainfall : 1805.6mm / 71.1"
   
 
Guatemala 266km
Mexico 250km
Ethnic DivisionsReligions
mestizo 44%
Creole 30%
other 10%
Maya 10%
Garifuna 6%
 
Roman Catholic 62%
Protestant 30%
Other 6%
None 2%

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