GeoFroggy

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Background

Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1862. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992 and the two countries are involved in an ongoing border dispute. Both nations have voted to send the dispute for final resolution to the International Court of Justice. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include the country's heavy foreign debt burden, high crime rates, high unemployment combined with a majority youth population, growing involvement in the Mexican and South American drug trade, and one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Central America.

Location

Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico

Area Comparative

Slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate

Tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)

Population Distribution

Approximately 25% to 30% of the population lives in the former capital, Belize City; over half of the overall population is rural; population density is slightly higher in the north and east

Natural Hazards

Frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)

Geography Note

Only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean

Year	2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Map Reference

Central America and the Caribbean

Irrigated Land 2012

35 sq km

Area 2023

Total

22,966 sq km
Land

22,806 sq km
Water

160 sq km

Coastline

386 km

Geographical Coordinates

17 15 N, 88 45 W

Land use 2023

Agricultural Land
6.9%
Arable Land
3.3%
Permanent Crops
1.4%
Permanent Pasture
2.2%
Forest
60.6%
Other
32.5%

Terrain

Flat
Swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south

Elevation

Highest Point: Doyle's Delight 1,124 m
Lowest Point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Mean Elevation: 173 m

Land Boundaries

Total
542 km
Guatemala
266 km
; Mexico
276 km

Natural Resources

Arable land potential
Timber

Fish
Hydropower

Belize