Belize: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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'''Belize''' is a small nation on the eastern coast of [[Central America]], on the [[Caribbean Sea]] bordering [[Mexico]] to the northwest and [[Guatemala]] to the west and south. The nation of [[Honduras]] is a near neighborneighbour of Belize, 75 km away (47 miles) at the closest point across the [[Gulf of Honduras]] to the east. In the [[Spanish language]] Belize is usually called '''Belice'''. Before [[1973]] Belize was known as '''British Honduras'''. Belize became an independent nation in [[1981]]. The name ''Belize'' is derived from [[Belize City]] and the Belize River. Belize City is the country's largest city, as well as the principal port and its former capital. Belize is a member of [[CARICOM]] and considers itself a Caribbean nation, not Central American.

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|+<big><big>'''Belize'''</big></big>

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''Main article: [[History of Belize]]''

The [[Maya civilizationcivilisation]] spread over Belize between [[1500 BCEBC]] and AD [[300]] CE and flourished until about AD [[900]] CE. The first [[Europe]]ans arrived in the area in the early [[16th century]] and settlement began with shipwrecked [[England|English]] seamen in [[1638]]. This period also was marked by [[piracy]], indiscriminate [[logging]], and sporadic conflict with [[Native American]] tribes and [[New Spain]].

Belize grew into a more official colony of the [[United Kingdom]] during the late [[18th century|18th]], early [[19th century]] under the name of British Honduras, which became a crownCrown colonyColony in [[1862]]. British Honduras became a [[self-governing colony]] beginning in January [[1964]] and was renamed ''Belize'' in June [[1973]]; the polityit was Britain's last colony on the American mainland. [[George Cadle Price|George Price]] led the country to full independence in September [[1981]] after delays caused by territorial disputes with neighbouring [[Guatemala]], which did not formally recognise the country until [[1992]].

Hurrican Hattie inflicted significant damage upon Belize in [[1961]]. The government decided that having a coastal capital city that is below sea level was too much of a risk. Over the course of several years the British colonial government designed a new city at the exact geographic center of the country, and in 1970 began the slow process of moving the governing offices to the capital of Belmopan.

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''Main article: [[Politics of Belize]]''

Belize is a [[parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[democracy]] and a member of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. The [[British monarch]] is [[head of state]] and is represented in the country by a [[governor general]], who must be a Belizean. The primary [[executive]] organ of government is the [[cabinet (government)|cabinet]], led by a [[Prime Minister of Belize|prime minister]] who is [[head of government]]. Cabinet ministers are members of the majority political party in parliament and usually hold elected seats within it concurrently with their cabinet positions.

The bicameral Belizean [[parliament]] is the National Assembly, which consists of a [[House of Representatives]] and a [[Senate]]. The 29 members of the House are popularly elected to a maximum 5-year term. Of the Senate's eight members, five are electedchosen by the prime minister, two by the leader of the opposition, and one by the governor general on the advice of the Belize Advisory Council. The Senate is headed by a president, who is a nonvoting member appointed by the governing party...

Belize is a full & participating member of the [[Caribbean Community and Common Market]] (CARICOM).

== Districts ==

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The small, essentially private enterprise economy is based primarily on [[agriculture]], agro-based industry, and merchandising, with [[tourism]] (especially scuba diving) and construction assuming greater importance. [[Sugar]], the chief crop, accounts for nearly half of exports, while the [[banana]] industry is the country's largest employer. [[Citrus production]] has become a major industry along the [[Hummingbird Highway]].

The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September [[1998]], led to [[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]] growth of 6.4% in [[1999]] and 10.5% in [[2000]]. Growth decelerated in [[2001]] to 3% due to the global slowdown and severe [[hurricane]] damage to agriculture, [[fishing]], and tourism. Major concerns continue to be the rapidly expanding [[trade deficit]] and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of [[poverty]] with the help of international donors.

More Belizians currently live abroad (mostly in the United States) than within the country itself, and a very significant portion of Belize's GNP comes from money sent by families living abroad.

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Most Belizeans are of multiracial descent. About half the population is of mixed [[Maya people|Maya]] and [[Europe]]an descent ([[Mestizo]]); 25% are of [[Africa]]n and Afro-European ([[Creole]]) ancestry (note: In Belize this is spelled "Kriol"); about 10% are Maya; and about 6% are Afro-Amerindian ([[Garifuna]]). The remainder includes European, [[India]]n, [[ethnic Chinese|Chinese]], and [[Middle East]]ern and [[North America]]n groups.

[[English language|English]] is the official language. Most Belizeans other than recent arrivals from neighboringneighbouring countries have at least a working knowledge of English. English or Kriol English predominates along the coast, and in the centercentre and south of the country. In the west and north, the [[Spanish language]] is more widely spoken. Spanish is the native tongue of about 50% of the people and is spoken as a second language by another 20%. The various Maya groups still speak [[Maya language]]s, and an English Creole dialect, similar to the Creole dialects of the English-speaking Caribbean Islands, is spoken by most. Some communities in southern Belize mostly speak [[Garifuna]].

About 50% of the population is [[Roman Catholic]]; the [[Anglican Church]] and other [[Protestant]] Christian groups account for most of the remainder. About 5% belong to the [[German language|German]]-/[[Plautdietsch]]-speaking [[Mennonite]] community.

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''Main article: [[Culture of Belize]]''

National Holidays include ''[[Baron Bliss]] Day'' on [[9 March]]; ''[[British Commonwealth|Commonwealth]] Day'' on the second [[Monday]] in [[March]]; ''[[Labour Day]]'' on [[1 May]]; ''The Battle of [[St. George's Caye]]'' on [[10 September]]; ''[[Independence Day]]'' on [[21 September]], ''[[Pan American]] Day'' on [[13 October]]; and ''[[Garifuna]] Settlement Day'' on [[19 November]].; And ''[[Christmas]] on December[[25 25thDecember]].

*[[List of Belizeans]]

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== Miscellaneous topics ==

*[[Communications in Belize]]

*[[Transportation in Belize|Transport in Belize]]

*[[Military of Belize]]

*[[Foreign relations of Belize]]