Belize History, Geography, Economy and Important Events

European contact began in 1502 when Christopher Columbus sailed along the Gulf of Honduras. European exploration began in 1638 by English settlers. This period was marked by both Spain and Britain, until Britain defeated Spain at the Battle of St. George KA (1798). It became a British colony in 1840, known as British Honduras, and in 1862 Crown Colony. It gained independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September.

Belize, formerly British Honduras, is an independent country on the east coast of Central America. Belize has Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the south and west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Its mainland is approximately 290 km (180 mi) long and 110 km (68 mi) wide. Belize has an area of ​​22,800 square kilometers (8,800 square miles) and a population of 368,310 (2015). It is the country with the lowest population density in Central America. The country's population growth rate of 1.87% per year (2015) is the highest in the Western Hemisphere apart from this region.

The expansionary monetary and fiscal policies of the ruling government in Belize, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth rates of 6.4% in 1999 and 10.5% in 2000. Growth rates declined in 2001 to 3% due to the global recession and severe storm damage for agriculture, fisheries and tourism. Growth was at 3.8% in 2005. Major concerns continue to be a rapidly expanding trade deficit and foreign debt. A major short-term objective remains poverty reduction with the help of international donors.

Belize is the only country in Central America with English as the official language. Also, English is the primary language of public education, government and most media outlets. About half of Belizeans, regardless of ethnicity, mostly speak an English-based Creole known as Belize Creole (or Creole in Belize Creole).

Guatemala [LM] , Honduras [M] , Mexico [LM] ,
Definition of international border: L = Land Border | M = Maritime Border