1. Geography

Area: 22,965 sq.km.; Caribbean coastal enclave bordering on Guatemala and Mexico. It has the world’s second-largest coral barrier reef.
Population: 307,899 (July 2009 est.)
Capital: Belmopan (16,400)

2. Ethnic groups:

Mestizo 48.7%
Creole 24.9%
Maya 10.6%
Garifuna 6.1%
Other 9.7% (2000 census)

3. Economy

Currency: Belizean dollar

GDP: US$1.359 billion (2008 est.)

GDP per capita: US$8,400 (2008 est.)
GDP Purchasing parity power: US$2.542 billion (2008 est.) GDP growth: 3% (2008 est.)

Main exports: Sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood, crude oil
Main imports: Machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco

Export partners: US 35.6%, UK 21.5%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.3%, Italy 4.5%, Nigeria 4% (2008)
Import partners: US 37.4%, Mexico 12.9%, Cuba 7.7%, Guatemala 6.1%, Russia 5%, China 4.2% (2008)

External debt: US$954.1 million (2008 est.)

4.Politics

elize is a parliamentary democracy, a Commonwealth realm, and therefore a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The structure of government is based on the British parliamentary system, and the legal system is modeled on the common law of England.

The current head of state is Elizabeth II, Queen of Belize. Since the Queen primarily resides in the United Kingdom, she is represented in Belize by the Governor-General. However, the cabinet, led by the Prime Minister of Belize, who is head of government, acting as advisors to the Governor-General, in practice exercise executive authority. Cabinet ministers are members of the majority political party in parliament and usually hold elected seats within it concurrent with their cabinet positions.

5. Religions

Roman Catholic 49.6%,
Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%),
Other 14%,
None 9.4% (2000)

For sources used please click on ‘About Religious Intelligence’