Discover Fascinating Belize Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Belize.
Belize
Background
π Belize has a rich history that dates back to the time of the Mayans! ποΈ 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. π°οΈ Fast forward to 1862, when Belize formally became known as British Honduras, a colony of the UK. π΄ββ οΈ However, disputes over territory with Guatemala held up Belize's independence, which finally arrived in 1981. π 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! π Hereβs a glimpse into the top exports from this beautiful country:
- Raw Sugar
- Bananas π
- Shellfish π¦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
π 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! πΊπΈ <br> The United Kingdom followed closely with 16%, while Guatemala, Spain, and Honduras made up the rest with 10%, 7%, and 5% respectively. π Let's take a look at how these countries compare in a pie chart! π°
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
π Welcome to Belmopan, the capital city of Belize! π΄ 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! ποΈπ§πΏ
Capital of Belize
Belmopan
Imports - commodities
In Belize, the imports consist of various important commodities that play a vital role in the economy. ποΈ 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! β½
- Ships: Essential for transportation and trade. π’
- Tobacco: A product with both local and international demand. π¬
- Garments: Clothing and textiles that contribute to the fashion industry. π
- Plastic Products: Used in many industries and everyday life. ποΈ
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
π 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 π§οΈ and a dry season from February to May π€οΈ. Be ready for warm temperatures all year round!
Climate Type
Tropical
Rainy Season
May to November
Dry Season
February to May
Executive branch
π Belize's Executive Branch π
In Belize, the executive branch is composed of three key leaders:
- Chief of State: King CHARLES III π, 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 BRICEΓO ποΈ, who has been leading since 12 November 2020.
These leaders play important roles in making decisions and guiding the country! π
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 π§πΏ
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 ποΈ
- House of Representatives: 32 seats ποΈ
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! π
Total seats in National Assembly
46
Seats in the National Assembly
Natural resources
π± Natural Resources of Belize π³
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, itβs crucial for feeding the people! πΎ
- Timber: The forests of Belize provide a great source of timber, which can be used for building houses, furniture, and more! πͺ΅
- Fish: The beautiful waters of Belize are teeming with fish. This resource supports both the local diet and economy through fishing and tourism! π
- Hydropower: Belize has the potential to generate electricity using water power. Clean energy is a great way to protect the Earth! β‘
These resources help make Belize a unique and thriving place! π
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! πΌ It's driven mainly by tourism and agriculture. After the pandemic, the country witnessed a strong rebound, bringing hope and growth. π 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! π 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! πβ¨
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! π§πΏ 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. ποΈ 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! π Hereβs 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! ππ
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! π¨ Hereβs a breakdown of the major religions:
- Roman Catholic: 40.1%
- Protestant: 31.5%
- π Pentecostal: 8.4%
- π Seventh Day Adventist: 5.4%
- π Anglican: 4.7%
- π Mennonite: 3.7%
- π Baptist: 3.6%
- π Methodist: 2.9%
- π 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! π
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 ππ§πΏ
Belize is a vibrant country with a rich linguistic diversity! Hereβs a cool breakdown of languages spoken there as of 2010:
- English: 62.9% (official language) π΄
- Spanish: 56.6% πͺπΈ
- Creole: 44.6% π£οΈ
- Maya: 10.5% πΏ
- German: 3.2% π©πͺ
- Garifuna: 2.9% πΆ
- Other languages: 1.8% π
- Unknown: 0.5% β
It's interesting to see that English is the official language, but many people also speak Spanish and Creole! Thereβs so much variety! π
What language would you like to learn? π€
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 π§πΏ
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% π¦
- China: 23% π¨π³
- Guatemala: 9% π¬πΉ
- Mexico: 8% π²π½
- Canada: 3% π¨π¦
As you can see, the US stands out as the biggest partner for imports, holding a significant share compared to others. ππΌ Let's visualize this data in a pie chart to see how it all adds up to 100%! π
Import Partners of Belize in 2022
Population
Belize is home to a vibrant population of 415,789 people! π 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. πβ¨
Total Population of Belize
415,789
Area
π Let's explore the area of the beautiful country of Belize! π΄β¨ Belize covers a total of 22,966 sq km, which includes:
- 22,806 sq km of land π
- 160 sq km of water π§.
This makes Belize a place where land and water come together in a magical way! Perfect for adventurers and nature lovers alike! ποΈπ
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 ππ°
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! π
Let's visualize this data to see the growth trend! π
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
ππ° 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.
Hereβs 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! ππ΅
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
π Imports of Belize π
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. Letβs 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
π 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! π
Check out how Belize's exports have grown over the years! π
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
π 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! π
Estimated Population Growth Rate (2024)
1.47%