ABOUT BELIZE
Location
Belize is an independent sovereign country located on the Caribbean coast of Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and by the Caribbean Sea to the east. It is approximately two hours by plane from Houston and Miami. Direct flights are available via international carriers such as American Airlines, Continental Airlines, US Airway, Delta and TACA. 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 miles Belize Reef. Belize has the second-largest barrier reef in the world (185 miles long) and three of four coral atolls in the Western Hemisphere fall within Belize’s territory.
Language
English is the official language however Spanish is widely spoken. Maya, Garifuna and Creole are also spoken.
Population
The population of Belize is approximately 280,000 with the major commercial center being Belize City. There is a great ideal of ethnic diversity among Belizean, who include Hispanic, Creoles (African-European), Mestizo (Spanish-Indian), Mennonite, Garifuna (African-Indian), Mayan, Anglo-European, Middle Eastern and Asian. The largest single group is Hispanic.
Climate
Belize weather is characterized by two seasons: a rainy (June to November) and a dry season. The coldest month is January while the highest temperatures are experienced during the month of May.
More about Belize:
Currency Exchange
Government and Legal System
Time Zone
Economy
Communication