Belize

C

Environmental Concerns

Belize has abundant wildlife and forests, but the growth of the population and of tourism threaten wildlife habitats and have led to deforestation. The world’s second largest coral reef lies off the coast and supports many marine ecosystems. Pollution, tourism, and fishing have caused disturbances in these ecosystems. Fresh water is plentiful and most of the population in the north of the country has access to safe water supplies. However, water quality is a problem in the south, and the Belize government is engaged in initiatives to improve it.

III

People

The majority of the population of Belize is of mixed racial ancestry, reflecting a long history of immigration. Most Belizeans have at least some European ancestry: 44 percent are mestizos (people of mixed Native American and Spanish descent), 30 percent are Creoles (people of mixed African and English descent), and 7 percent are Garifuna (people of mixed African and Carib descent). Other groups include Native Americans, principally Carib and Maya, who live in the north and west of the country; people of European descent, mainly English and Spanish; and people of mixed Native American-European descent.

The population of Belize is 307,899 (2009 estimate). The overall density of 14 persons per sq km (35 per sq mi) is the lowest in Central America. Population is concentrated in a few principal urban centers, of which Belize City (population, 2004 estimate, 59,400) is the largest; it is also the principal port. Belmopan (12,300), a newly constructed city, supplanted Belize City as the official capital in 1972.

A

Language and Religion

English is the official language of Belize and is used in government and education. A dialect of English known as Belizean Creole is widely spoken throughout the country. Other languages spoken include Carib, Mayan, and Spanish. More than half the people are Roman Catholic, and many of the remainder are Protestant. The country’s mestizos, Maya, and Garifuna are predominately Roman Catholic. Many Creoles also practice Catholicism, but the majority of Creoles are Anglicans, Methodists, or other Protestants. Belize also has a small Mennonite population.

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B

Education

Education is compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 14. Attendance at primary schools was nearly universal in 2006, but only 78 percent of children of secondary school age were enrolled in school. Higher education is available at colleges in Belize City and Corozal. The literacy rate of 93 percent is one of the highest in Latin America.

C

Government

Belize is governed under a constitution that became effective at independence in 1981. Belize recognizes the British monarch as its own monarch and head of state, but the powers of the head of state are largely ceremonial. The monarch is represented by a governor-general who appoints a prime minister from the House of Representatives. The prime minister must have the support of a majority of the members of the House. Executive power is mainly exercised by a cabinet of ministers, led by the prime minister.

The bicameral National Assembly consists of a Senate of 8 members, appointed by the governor-general, and a House of Representatives of 29 elected members. The standard term in the National Assembly is five years, but a vote of “no confidence” in the prime minister can lead the governor-general to dissolve the Assembly.

The leading political parties are the People’s United Party (PUP), which was founded in 1950, and the United Democratic Party (UDP), founded in 1974. The PUP held power from 1961 to 1984. Since then control of the government has shifted between the PUP and the UDP.

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