About Belize

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Location: East Coast of Central America, bounded on the North by Mexico, on the South and West by Guatemala, and on the East by the Caribbean Sea.
Land Area: 8,867 square miles or 22, 923 square meters.

Capital and Major Towns:

• Belmopan City (Capital, Cayo District – SEE MAP)
• Belize City ( Commercial Center, Belize District – SEE MAP)
• San Ignacio (Cayo District- SEE MAP)
• Benque Viejo Del Carmen (Cayo District – SEE MAP)
• Corozal Town (Corozal District – SEE MAP)
• Orange Walk Town (Orange Walk District – SEE MAP)
• Dangriga (Stann Creek District – SEE MAP)
• Punta Gorda (Toledo District – SEE MAP)
• San Pedro (Ambergris Caye – SEE MAP)

Climate: Sub Tropical (dry and wet season)

Rainfall: Belize weather is characterized by two seasons: a rainy and a dry season. Belize annual rainfall: most of the year’s rainfall occurs during the period June to November, that is, the rainy season. It is noted that the transition from dry to the rainy is very sharp. Belize annual rainfall ranges from 60 inches (1524mm) in the north to 160 inches (4064mm) in the south. Except for the southern regions, the rainfall is variable from year to year.

Population: 333,200 taken from the Statistical Institute of Belize June 2009 ( 166,500 Male and 166,700 Female)

Density of Population: Nine (9) persons per square kilometer

Languages: Official language is English and Criol. Spanish is widely spoken. Other ethnic languages include Garifuna, Maya, Chinese, Indian.

Religions: Mainly Christian denominations.

Form of Government: Democratic – Bicameral Legislature based on Westminster System.

Currency: Belize Dollars.

Exchange Rate: US $1.00 = BZ$2.00

Principal Exports: Sugar, citrus, bananas, fish products, garments, and timber

Principal Imports: Machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and beverages, construction materials, fuel, and lubricants.

Major Trading Partners: United States of America, United Kingdom, CARCICOM countries, Mexico, and Canada.

Electric Power: Belize Electricity Limited Voltage 110 Volts, optional 220 volts. Cost per Kilo Watt Hour (kwh) B$0.38.

Telecommunications: All automatic systems: Direct dialing with major countries in the world, cellular, telexes and faxes. Internet access widely available.

Entry and Visa requirements: Belize has a three-tier system for visa requirements to enter the country. Citizens from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, United States, Venezuela and CARICOM member states do not need a visa to enter Belize. There is a list of 31 countries, including many European and South American nations, whose nationals must get a visa to enter Belize. And there is another list of about 24 countries whose citizens must get a visa, pay appropriate fees, and obtain clearance from the Director of Immigration in Belize. Please refer to the Belize Immigration website to see which list your county is on. www.belize-immigration.org/immigration/visa/