Belize

IV

Economy

Belize’s main economic resource is its farmable land, although only 3 percent of the total land area is actually under cultivation. Belize also has valuable forests, which originally drew British settlers to the land. Forestry was the major economic activity until agriculture surpassed it during the 1960s. Declining world prices for timber and depletion of forest resources forced the country to diversify its economy. Today, the fastest-growing sector of the economy is foreign tourism.

A

Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing contributed 14 percent of Belize’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2005. GDP is a measure of the value of all the goods and services a country produces. Sugarcane has traditionally been the country’s major crop, but today citrus fruits, especially oranges and grapefruit, compete with sugar in importance. These crops are grown on large plantations. Belize’s chief agricultural exports include sugar, citrus fruits, and bananas. Papayas and hot peppers are also grown for export. Rice, beans, and corn are grown for local consumption.

Plans to expand agricultural land and the forestry industry in Belize have run up against concerns about the environment. The country’s most valuable hardwood is mahogany. However, the supply of big leaf mahogany trees being harvested in tropical forests is rapidly dwindling, and environmental groups have voiced concerns about the species’ extinction.

Belize has abundant fishing resources offshore. The fishing industry grew in importance during the 1990s and today contributes significantly to the country’s export earnings. The chief seafood exports are shrimp and lobsters.

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B

Manufacturing and Mining

The major manufacturing industries in Belize are food-processing and clothing. Food-processing plants produce sugar, orange and grapefruit juice concentrates, dried fruit, and hot-pepper sauces for export. Belize has some mineral resources, including gold and bauxite, but they are not being mined.

C

Tourism

Many American tourists are drawn to Belize because it is an English-speaking country in Latin America with a stable government. Mayan ruins in the north of the country constitute a major tourist attraction. Other attractions are the rainforests, wildlife, and beaches along the Caribbean. Snorkeling, fishing, and scuba diving are popular in the coral reef that fringes the shoreline.

D

Transportation

A road network of 2,872 km (1,785 mi) links the major urban centers in Belize, but some areas remain inaccessible, especially in the south. All-weather roads connect Belize City with Guatemala and Mexico. An international airport serves Belize City.

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