Discover Fascinating Belize Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Belize.

Belize

Background

🌎 Belize has a rich history that dates back to the time of the Mayans! πŸ›οΈ Once home to several Mayan city states, Belize saw its ancient civilizations thrive until they began to decline around the end of the first millennium A.D. πŸ•°οΈ Fast forward to 1862, when Belize formally became known as British Honduras, a colony of the UK. πŸ΄β€β˜ οΈ However, disputes over territory with Guatemala held up Belize's independence, which finally arrived in 1981. πŸŽ‰ Isn't it amazing to see how far Belize has come since those early days?

Year Belize became British Honduras

1862

Year Belize gained independence

1981

End of Mayan civilization decline

1000 A.D.

Exports - commodities

Belize's economy thrives on its exports, showcasing a colorful variety of commodities! 🌟 Here’s a glimpse into the top exports from this beautiful country:

  • Raw Sugar
  • Bananas 🍌
  • Shellfish πŸ¦ͺ
  • Bran
  • Refined Petroleum

These products not only contribute to the income of the nation but also reflect the diversity of Belize's agricultural and resource-based economy!

Top commodities exported by Belize

Raw Sugar, Bananas, Shellfish, Bran, Refined Petroleum

Exports - partners

🌍 Belize has some exciting trade partners! In 2022, the exports from Belize were distributed among several countries. The United States was the biggest partner, taking 22% of all exports! πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ <br> The United Kingdom followed closely with 16%, while Guatemala, Spain, and Honduras made up the rest with 10%, 7%, and 5% respectively. πŸ“Š Let's take a look at how these countries compare in a pie chart! 🍰

Exports to the United States

22%

Exports to the United Kingdom

16%

Exports to Guatemala

10%

Exports to Spain

7%

Exports to Honduras

5%

Exports by Partner Country for Belize (2022)

Capital

πŸŽ‰ Welcome to Belmopan, the capital city of Belize! 🌴 Located in the heart of the country, Belmopan may not be the largest city, but it holds a special place in the hearts of all Belizeans. Established as the capital in 1970, it was specifically chosen due to its safer geographical location compared to Belize City, which had faced natural disasters. Come explore this vibrant city filled with rich culture and history! πŸ›οΈπŸ‡§πŸ‡Ώ

Capital of Belize

Belmopan

Imports - commodities

In Belize, the imports consist of various important commodities that play a vital role in the economy. πŸ—οΈ Here's a quick look at what Belize brings into the country for the year 2022:

  • Refined Petroleum: A major necessity for fuel and energy! β›½
  • Ships: Essential for transportation and trade. 🚒
  • Tobacco: A product with both local and international demand. 🚬
  • Garments: Clothing and textiles that contribute to the fashion industry. πŸ‘—
  • Plastic Products: Used in many industries and everyday life. πŸ›οΈ

These commodities reflect the diverse needs and engagements of Belize in the international market!

Key Import Commodities for Belize in 2022

Refined Petroleum, Ships, Tobacco, Garments, Plastic Products

Climate

🌞 Belize has a tropical climate, which means it's very hot and humid! The weather gives us two main seasons: a rainy season from May to November 🌧️ and a dry season from February to May 🌀️. Be ready for warm temperatures all year round!

Climate Type

Tropical

Rainy Season

May to November

Dry Season

February to May

Executive branch

🌍 Belize's Executive Branch 🌟

In Belize, the executive branch is composed of three key leaders:

  • Chief of State: King CHARLES III πŸ‘‘, a royal representative who has been in this position since 8 September 2022.
  • Governor-General: Froyla TZALAM, who represents the King in Belize and has taken charge since 27 May 2021.
  • Head of Government: Prime Minister John BRICEΓ‘O πŸ›οΈ, who has been leading since 12 November 2020.

These leaders play important roles in making decisions and guiding the country! πŸš€

Current Chief of State Since

8 September 2022

Current Governor-General Since

27 May 2021

Current Prime Minister Since

12 November 2020

Legislative branch

Legislative Branch of Belize πŸ‡§πŸ‡Ώ

In Belize, the Legislative branch plays an important role in the government! It is made up of a bicameral National Assembly, which means it has two houses:

  • Senate: 14 seats πŸ›οΈ
  • House of Representatives: 32 seats πŸ›οΈ

This unique setup helps balance representation in the government, ensuring that both the Senate and the House can contribute to creating and refining laws for the country. Let's dive deeper into the numbers! πŸ“Š

Total seats in National Assembly

46

Seats in the National Assembly

Natural resources

🌱 Natural Resources of Belize 🌳

Belize is rich in natural resources that are important for both the environment and the economy! Let's take a look at some of these valuable resources:

  • Arable Land Potential: This is land that can be used for growing crops. Just like planting a garden at home, it’s crucial for feeding the people! 🌾
  • Timber: The forests of Belize provide a great source of timber, which can be used for building houses, furniture, and more! πŸͺ΅
  • Fish: The beautiful waters of Belize are teeming with fish. This resource supports both the local diet and economy through fishing and tourism! 🐟
  • Hydropower: Belize has the potential to generate electricity using water power. Clean energy is a great way to protect the Earth! ⚑

These resources help make Belize a unique and thriving place! 🌍

Arable land potential

Data not provided

Timber

Data not provided

Fish

Data not provided

Hydropower

Data not provided

Economic overview

Belize's economy is buzzing with activity! πŸ’Ό It's driven mainly by tourism and agriculture. After the pandemic, the country witnessed a strong rebound, bringing hope and growth. 🌟 One of the most exciting moves is the innovative and ecological bond restructuring that not only helped lower public debt but also expanded marine protections! 🐠 The Belizean Central Bank is also offering USD-denominated treasury notes, making it easier for everyone to invest. Plus, there's high mobility across borders, allowing for a vibrant exchange of goods and ideas! 🌍✨

Economic Drivers

Tourism and Agriculture

Post-Pandemic Rebound

Strong

Public Debt Reduction

Significant

Marine Protections Expansion

Expanded

Central Bank Offerings

USD-denominated treasury notes

Mobility Across Borders

High

Government type

Belize has a parliamentary democracy! πŸ‡§πŸ‡Ώ This means they have a system of government where elected representatives make decisions for the people. The government operates under a constitutional monarchy, which is a type of government where a King or Queen serves as the symbolic head of state while the real power lies with the parliament. πŸ›οΈ Belize is also part of the Commonwealth realm, a group of countries that recognize the British monarch as the head of state. How cool is that?

Type of government

Parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Commonwealth status

Commonwealth realm

Ethnic groups

In Belize, a vibrant country in Central America, the population is a colorful mix of different ethnic groups! 🌈 Here’s a breakdown of the major ethnic groups based on 2010 estimates:

  • Mestizo: 52.9% - the largest group, making up more than half of the population!
  • Creole: 25.9% - the second largest, adding rich cultural heritage to the mix.
  • Maya: 11.3% - known for their ancient history and traditions.
  • Garifuna: 6.1% - a unique blend of African and Carib heritage, known for their lively music and dance.
  • East Indian: 3.9% - bringing diversity with their customs and festivals.
  • Mennonite: 3.6% - a community with roots in Europe and a distinct lifestyle.
  • White: 1.2% - contributing to the multicultural fabric of Belize.
  • Asian: 1% - including various nationalities enriching the cultural scene.
  • Other: 1.2% - includes small groups with unique identities.
  • Unknown: 0.3% - a small percentage that is not classified.

The melting pot that is Belize showcases how diverse and inclusive this beautiful nation is! πŸŒπŸ’–

Total Percentage of Mestizo

52.9%

Total Percentage of Creole

25.9%

Total Percentage of Maya

11.3%

Total Percentage of Garifuna

6.1%

Total Percentage of East Indian

3.9%

Total Percentage of Mennonite

3.6%

Total Percentage of White

1.2%

Total Percentage of Asian

1%

Total Percentage of Other

1.2%

Total Percentage of Unknown

0.3%

Ethnic Groups in Belize (2010)

Religions

In Belize, the religious landscape is quite colorful! 🎨 Here’s a breakdown of the major religions:

  • Roman Catholic: 40.1%
  • Protestant: 31.5%
    • 🌟 Pentecostal: 8.4%
    • 🌟 Seventh Day Adventist: 5.4%
    • 🌟 Anglican: 4.7%
    • 🌟 Mennonite: 3.7%
    • 🌟 Baptist: 3.6%
    • 🌟 Methodist: 2.9%
    • 🌟 Nazarene: 2.8%
  • Jehovah's Witness: 1.7%
  • Other: 10.5% (including Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, Church of Jesus Christ, Muslim, Rastafarian, Salvation Army)
  • Unspecified: 0.6%
  • None: 15.5%

From this data, we can see that Roman Catholicism is the most practiced religion, followed by a variety of Protestant denominations. Overall, almost one in six people identify as having no religion at all! πŸ“Š

Percentage of Roman Catholics

40.1%

Percentage of Protestants

31.5%

Percentage of people identifying as None

15.5%

Percentage of Jehovah's Witnesses

1.7%

Percentage of people in Other religions

10.5%

Percentage of Unspecified religions

0.6%

Religious Distribution in Belize

Languages

Languages in Belize πŸŒπŸ‡§πŸ‡Ώ

Belize is a vibrant country with a rich linguistic diversity! Here’s a cool breakdown of languages spoken there as of 2010:

  • English: 62.9% (official language) 🏴
  • Spanish: 56.6% πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Έ
  • Creole: 44.6% πŸ—£οΈ
  • Maya: 10.5% 🌿
  • German: 3.2% πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ
  • Garifuna: 2.9% 🎢
  • Other languages: 1.8% 🌐
  • Unknown: 0.5% ❓

It's interesting to see that English is the official language, but many people also speak Spanish and Creole! There’s so much variety! πŸŽ‰

What language would you like to learn? πŸ€”

Percentage of English speakers

62.9%

Percentage of Spanish speakers

56.6%

Percentage of Creole speakers

44.6%

Percentage of Maya speakers

10.5%

Percentage of German speakers

3.2%

Percentage of Garifuna speakers

2.9%

Percentage of other languages

1.8%

Percentage of unknown speakers

0.5%

Languages Spoken in Belize

Imports - partners

Imports Partners of Belize πŸ‡§πŸ‡Ώ

Belize has a diverse set of countries it imports goods from! Here's a quick look at where most of the imports come from:

  • United States: 33% πŸ“¦
  • China: 23% πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³
  • Guatemala: 9% πŸ‡¬πŸ‡Ή
  • Mexico: 8% πŸ‡²πŸ‡½
  • Canada: 3% πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦

As you can see, the US stands out as the biggest partner for imports, holding a significant share compared to others. πŸŒŽπŸ’Ό Let's visualize this data in a pie chart to see how it all adds up to 100%! πŸŽ‰

Import Partners of Belize in 2022

Population

Belize is home to a vibrant population of 415,789 people! 🌍 This mix of cultures and communities makes Belize a truly special place to explore. Whether you're enjoying the beautiful beaches or learning about the fascinating wildlife, the friendly faces of Belize have stories to tell. πŸ“–βœ¨

Total Population of Belize

415,789

Area

πŸ” Let's explore the area of the beautiful country of Belize! 🌴✨ Belize covers a total of 22,966 sq km, which includes:

  • 22,806 sq km of land 🌍
  • 160 sq km of water πŸ’§.

This makes Belize a place where land and water come together in a magical way! Perfect for adventurers and nature lovers alike! 🏞️🌊

Total Area of Belize

22,966 sq km

Land Area of Belize

22,806 sq km

Water Area of Belize

160 sq km

Area Breakdown of Belize

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP of Belize πŸŒŽπŸ’°

The Real GDP (purchasing power parity) for Belize shows how the economy is growing over the years! Check out the figures below:

  • 2023: $5.257 billion
  • 2022: $5.028 billion
  • 2021: $4.624 billion

This data tells us that Belize's economy is improving, which is fantastic news! πŸŽ‰

Let's visualize this data to see the growth trend! πŸ“ˆ

Real GDP in 2023

$5.257 billion

Real GDP in 2022

$5.028 billion

Real GDP in 2021

$4.624 billion

GDP Growth from 2021 to 2023

13.7%

Belize Real GDP Growth (PPP) Over Years

Real GDP per capita

πŸŒπŸ’° Let's take a look at Belize's Real GDP per capita over the past few years! It's a great way to see how much the economy is growing and how well people are doing financially.

Here’s the data we have for Belize:

  • 2021: $11,600
  • 2022: $12,400
  • 2023: $12,800

From 2021 to 2023, we can see an upward trend in the amount of money each person is making in Belize! πŸš€πŸ’΅

Real GDP per capita in 2023

$12,800

Real GDP per capita in 2022

$12,400

Real GDP per capita in 2021

$11,600

Real GDP per Capita in Belize (2021-2023)

Imports

πŸ“Š Imports of Belize πŸ“ˆ

Belize has been growing its imports over the past few years! In 2021, the total imports were $1.249 billion, which increased to $1.574 billion in 2022. The estimated imports for 2023 are projected to reach $1.571 billion. This shows a steady climb in the value of goods Belize brings into the country. Let’s take a closer look at these numbers over the years!

Imports in 2021

$1.249 billion

Imports in 2022

$1.574 billion

Estimated Imports in 2023

$1.571 billion

Yearly Imports of Belize

Exports

🌍 Let's explore the exports of Belize! In 2023, Belize exported goods worth $1.462 billion. That's a sweet increase from $1.369 billion in 2022 and a huge jump from $1.043 billion in 2021! πŸ“ˆ

Check out how Belize's exports have grown over the years! 🌟

Exports in 2023

$1.462 billion

Exports in 2022

$1.369 billion

Exports in 2021

$1.043 billion

Belize Export Growth Over Years

Population growth rate

🌍 The population growth rate of Belize is currently estimated to be 1.47% for the year 2024! This means that the population is increasing, and more people will be calling this beautiful country home soon! πŸŽ‰

Estimated Population Growth Rate (2024)

1.47%