About Belize
Government
Independent nation since 1981, member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, Parliamentary democracy with two (2) major political parties. Belize is currently headed by Prime Minister Dean Barrow (took office February , 2008).
Location
Belize lies on the eastern coastline of Central America, bordered on the north by Mexico, on the west and south by Guatemala, and on the east by the Caribbean Sea.
Size
Approximately 8,866 square miles, Belize's mainland is approximately 180 miles long and up to 68 miles wide. Belize also consists of over 200 Cayes (islands), ranging in size from a few hundred feet to 25 miles long and four miles wide; most of which are located inside the 200 mile long Belize Barrier Reef.
Population
The population of Belize is approximately 290,000. There is a great deal of ethnic diversity among Belizeans, who include Hispanics, Creoles (African-European), Mestizo (Spanish-Indian), Mennonite, Garifuna (African-Indian), Mayan, Anglo-European, Middle Eastern and Asian. The largest single group is Creoles.
Climate
Belize weather is characterized by two (2) seasons: a rainy and a dry season. Most of the year's rainfall occurs during the period June to November. It is noted that the transition from dry to rainy is very sharp, with annual rainfall ranging from 60" in the north to 160" in the south. Except for the sothern regions, the rainfall is variable from year to year.
Languages
English is the official language and is widely spoken, as is Spanish. Other languages include Creole, German, Mayan and Garifuna.
Getting To Belize
Belize is about 2 hours and 15 minutes by air from Miami, FL and Houston, TX. Other U.S. gateways to Belize include Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC and Dallas, TX.