General
Belize (formerly British Honduras) is an independent country located on the Caribbean seaboard of mainland Central America, with Mexico to the North and Guatemala to the South and West. Belize has an area of about 23,026 sq km which is approximately the size of the Principality of Wales.The country's history is very interesting, as for about 4000 years Belize was the keystone of the empire of the ancient Maya, which was the most advanced civilization in the New World. The official language is English, Spanish is widely spoken.
Population
Belize has the total population of about 300,000. 60,000 of them live in Belize City, which is the major commercial centre of the country, located on the eastern coast close to the major international airport. The administrative capital of Belize is Belmopan. Belize is one of the most ethnically diverse countries even in Central America, its population includes descendants of Maya, people of Caribbean, Caucasian, Chinese and East Indian origin.
Political Structure
Belize has enjoyed a long history of peace, stability and democracy. It had been under British rule since 1862 and achieved complete independence in 1981. Being still a British Crown Colony called British Honduras, it became self-governing territory already in 1964. The name Belize was restored in 1973.
Now Belize is a member of the British Commonwealth, the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM), the World Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Inter-American Development Bank and of many other regional and international organisations.
The political system of Belize is based on the Westminster model, with Queen Elizabeth II as titular head. The Royalty is represented locally by a Governor-General. Executive authority belongs to the Minister Cabinet, under the leadership of the Prime Minister and subject to the approval of a 29 member House of Representatives with the majority appointed according to Prime Minister's recommendations.
There are two major political parties: the Peoples United Party and the United Democratic Party. Both of them follow the course of economic development of the country and the encouragement of offshore investments.
