another hurricane, Hurricane Dean, hit Belize KEY FACTS affecting the livelihoods of up to 2,500 Joined Commonwealth: 1981 families in the northern parts of the country. Population: 332,000 (2013) Environment: The most significant GDP p.c. growth: 2.0% p.a. 1990–2013 environmental issues are deforestation; water UN HDI 2014: World ranking 84 pollution from sewage, industrial effluents and agricultural run-off; and solid waste Official language: English disposal. Time: GMT minus 6 hrs Vegetation: Forest covers 61 per cent of the Currency: Belizean dollar (Bz$) land area and includes rainforest with mahoganies, cayune palms, and many Geography orchids. Higher in the mountains, pine forest Area: 22,965 sq km and cedar predominate. Arable land comprises three per cent of the land area. Coastline: 386 km Wildlife: There is a strong emphasis on Capital: Belmopan conservation. By 1992, 18 national parks and Belize forms part of the Commonwealth reserves had been established, including the Belizeans descend from Mayans, Caribs, and Caribbean, and is located in Central America, world’s only jaguar reserve. Other native the many groups who came as loggers, bordering Mexico to the north and species include ocelots, pumas, baboons, settlers, refugees, slaves and imported labour: Guatemala to the west and south. Of 13 howler monkeys, toucans and many species English, Spanish, Africans and East Indians. Commonwealth member countries in the of parrot. Americas, only Belize, Canada and Guyana lie According to the 2000 census, the on the mainland, three of the most sparsely Main towns: Belmopan (capital, pop. population comprises 49 per cent Mestizos populated countries in the association; all the 18,326 in 2014), (former capital (Maya-Spanish), 25 per cent Creoles (Afro- others are islands or archipelagos. and commercial centre, 60,184), San Ignacio European), 11 per cent Mayans and six per (20,027), San Pedro (15,484), Orange Walk cent Garifuna (Afro-Carib). There is a small Topography: The long east coast is mostly (13,692), Corozal (11,427), Dangriga Mennonite farming community who speak a flat with lagoons and mangrove swamps. For (10,002), Benque Viejo (6,497) and Punta dialect of German, and a fast-growing 16–32 km out to sea the water is only about Gorda (5,795). Chinese community. five metres deep and a barrier reef (second in size only to Australia’s) stretches nearly 297 Transport: There is a road network of some Language: English is the official language, km, with many tiny islands known as cays or 2,870 km, 17 per cent paved, with 1,420 km but Spanish is the most widely spoken first cayes inside. Three smaller reefs lie further of all-weather roads. The four main highways language, and an English-based Creole is out. Inland, the terrain rises with Victoria are: Northern Highway (Belize City to widely used. Other languages are Maya, Peak (1,122 metres), the country’s highest Chetumal on the Mexican border); Western Garifuna and Ketchi. Most Belizeans are point, in the Cockscomb range to the east, Highway (Belize City via Belmopan to the bilingual and many trilingual. and the heavily forested Maya Mountains to Guatemalan border); Hummingbird Highway Religion: Mainly Christians (Roman the south-west. Continuing north, the (Belmopan to Dangriga); and Southern Catholics 40 per cent, Pentecostals 8.5 per Western (Cayo) District is also hilly, with the Highway (Dangriga to Punta Gorda). cent, Seventh Day Adventists 5.5 per cent, Mountain Pine Ridge. The northern districts Belize City is the main port; the international Anglicans five per cent, Mennonites, have wide areas of tableland. There are 17 airport, Philip S. W. Goldson, lies 16 km Baptists, Methodists); there are small principal rivers, navigable at best only by north-west of Belize City. minorities of Baha’i, Muslims and Jews vessels of shallow draught. (2010 census). Climate: The climate is subtropical, Society Health: Public spending on health was four moderated by trade winds. The average per cent of GDP in 2012. There are KEY FACTS 2013 temperature November–January is 24°C and government hospitals in Belize City, May–September 27°C; inland there is a Population per sq km: 14 Belmopan and other main towns, and health- greater range. There are two dry seasons: Life expectancy: 74 years care centres and mobile clinics in rural areas. March–May and August–September (the Malaria requires constant surveillance. The Net primary enrolment: 96% Maugre season). Annual rainfall ranges from National Primary Healthcare Centre organises 1,290 mm in the north to 4,450 mm in the Population: 332,000 (2013); 44 per cent of preventive programmes. Some 99 per cent of south. The country is susceptible to people live in urban areas; growth 2.5 per the population uses an improved drinking hurricanes; Hurricane Iris in October 2001 – cent p.a. 1990–2013; birth rate 23 per 1,000 water source and 91 per cent have access to the fourth in three years – was the worst for people (40 in 1970); life expectancy 74 years adequate sanitation facilities (2012). Infant 40 years. Several years later in August 2007 (66 in 1970). mortality was 14 per 1,000 live births in 2013

THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015

Belize

(74 in 1960). In 2013, 1.5 per cent of people GDP by sector (2013) aged 15–49 were HIV positive. Economy KEY FACTS 2013 Education: Public spending on education GNI: US$1.6bn Agriculture was 6.6 per cent of GDP in 2010. There are 14.7% ten years of compulsory education starting at GNI p.c.: US$4,660 Industry the age of five. Primary school, which is free GDP growth: 2.3% p.a. 2009–13 18.3% of charge, comprises six years and secondary Inflation: 0.5% p.a. 2009–13 six. Some 91 per cent of pupils complete Services 67.0% primary school (2010). The school year starts Belize’s economy is predominantly in September. agricultural, and it is vulnerable to volatility in world commodity markets. Efforts have been The University of Belize opened in 1986. own structural adjustment programme, with made to diversify from traditional export Belize also shares in the regional University of expenditure controls, a public-sector wage products such as sugar and timber into the West Indies, which has its main campuses freeze and job cuts, and some privatisation, bananas, citrus concentrates, seafood and in , Jamaica, and Trinidad and aimed at restoring a fiscal surplus. fish products. Forestry has been revitalised Tobago. Galen University at San Ignacio is a and tourism expanded to become a There was a short pause in the vigorous private university partnered with the significant foreign currency earner. Since economic growth of the early 2000s when, in University of Indianapolis in the USA. The 1990, an export-processing zone has been 2001, the fourth hurricane to strike Belize in female–male ratio for gross enrolment in developed near Belize City International three years caused heavy damage to tourist tertiary education is 1.60:1 (2011). Airport, mainly for clothing production. And, facilities and rice production in the southern Media: Weekly newspapers include mainly for domestic consumption, a free zone part of the country. Another short pause (bi-weekly), The Belize Times has been established at Corozal on the coast ensued in 2007, when the economy felt the (People’s United Party), The Guardian (United near the Mexican border. impact of Hurricane Dean on agricultural Democratic Party), The Reporter and The San Though Belize had not had a formal output and tourism. The recovery of 2008 Pedro Sun (published on the island of relationship with the IMF, it implemented its was then summarily reversed by the world Ambergris Caye). economic downturn and consequent fall in tourism, and the economy stalled in 2009, Radio stations and TV channels are all Real growth in GDP picking up briskly in 2010–12, with steady privately owned; one radio station is % 4.0 growth in 2013–15. broadcast in Spanish, one is affiliated to the % United Democratic Party (Wave Radio), 3.5 another to the People’s United Party (Vibes 3.0 History Radio). 2.5 The earliest known inhabitants were the There are 280 personal computers per 1,000 Mayans, whose extensive civilisation (250– 2.0 g people (2013). 900 CE) reac hed it s peak in about the eighth 1.5 century, sprea ding northward throughout Communications: Country code 501; 1.0 Yucatan. The Mayans cultivated most of the internet domain ‘.bz’. Mobile phone coverage is good in most areas, especially on the coast 0.5 arable land in the country and built cities and ceremonial centres out of limestone. By the and along the main routes to Mexico and 0.0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Guatemala. time the Spanish arrived, in the early 16th century, the numbers of Mayans had For every 1,000 people there are 72 landlines, declined, and many of the remainder were Inflation 529 mobile phone subscriptions and 317 sent to Guatemala or died of introduced % internet users (2013). 6 diseases. 5 Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Baron Bliss 4 The Spanish then moved north to Mexico, Day (9 March), Labour Day (1 May), 3 and British pirates (who had lost their Commonwealth Day (24 May), St George’s 2 occupation when Britain and Spain made Caye Day (10 September), Independence Day 1 peace in 1670) moved in to cut logwood for (21 September), Pan-American Day (12 0 export to Europe. In time, the settlers October), Garifuna Settlement Day (19 -1 expanded inland to cut mahogany and cedar, November), Christmas Day and Boxing Day. -2 and African slaves were brought over from Religious and other festivals whose dates vary -3 Jamaica. Attempts by the Spanish to dislodge from year to year include Carnival (week -4 the Baymen (as the woodcutters were called) before Lent), Good Friday and Easter Monday. 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 failed, but the settlers asked England for help.

Belize on the international stage In 1765 Admiral Sir William Burnaby arrived with a fleet from Jamaica and, without The country’s current Prime Minister, , is the first of African descent. recourse to violence, established a California-born NBA basketball player, Milton Palacio has Belizean parents and played in the constitution known as Burnaby’s Code and Belize gold medal winning team at the 1998 CARICOM Basketball Championship, hosted the Public Meeting, a law-making body. by Belize. Friction continued, however, until 1798, Poet, author and sculptor George Gabb was born in Belize in 1928. when the Spanish were defeated at the battle of St George’s Caye.

THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015 Belize

In 1847, Mayans in neighbouring Mexico Esquivel; returned to government in 1989; Queen Elizabeth II as head of state, rebelled against Spanish rule and refugees and were ousted again in 1993 by UDP in represented by a Governor-General. The (Mayans, Mestizos and dissident Spaniards) coalition with the National Alliance for Governor-General, appointed on the advice made their way into Belize, a migration Belizean Rights, a new party which was of the Prime Minister, must be of Belizean which set up new tensions. In an attempt to formed after five members left the UDP in nationality. The legislature, the National resolve the situation, the settlement, at its 1992 following disagreements over the Assembly, is bicameral, composed of the own request, became a British colony negotiations with Guatemala. and House of Representatives. (supervised by the Governor of Jamaica) in Relations with Guatemala The Senate has 12 members (plus the 1862 and the country took the name British President of the Senate): six are appointed on Honduras. It became a Crown colony in From 1986 relations between the two the advice of the Prime Minister, three on the 1870. In 1884, it was detached from Jamaica countries improved and in 1991 Guatemala advice of the Leader of the Opposition, and and given its own governor. Burnaby’s Code recognised Belizean sovereignty, Belize joined one each by the churches, business and the Public Meeting were abolished in the Organization of American States (OAS) community and trade unions. 1840 and 1853 respectively and replaced by and diplomatic relations between Belize and a nominated legislative council. Guatemala were established. The House of Representatives comprises 31 members, directly elected at intervals of no Economic recession followed. Mahogany In January 1994 responsibility for defence longer than five years on the basis of universal prices slumped in the 1870s and sugar was transferred to the Belize Defence Force adult suffrage (plus the Speaker). The Prime (introduced by the immigrants from Mexico) and later that year the UK withdrew most of Minister and cabinet have executive power. slumped in the 1880s. An upturn in the early its 1,500-strong garrison. In March 1994, 20th century was short-lived and poverty however, Guatemala renounced its earlier There are six administrative districts. With the continued between the world wars. agreements and formally reaffirmed its claim exception of Belize City, they are to the territory of Belize. A tense period administered by a locally elected town board In 1935, the principle of voting was ensued during which Belize continued to of seven members. The island resort of San reintroduced, with elections for five of the 12 receive strong support from the Caribbean Pedro on Ambergris Caye was granted seats on the legislative council, although with Community and the Commonwealth. township status in 1984. Belize City is a very limited franchise (1,000 out of the It was thus not until February 1997 that an administered by a city council of nine elected population of 50,000). The number of ambassador was sent to Guatemala City, members. There are also village councils. elected members increased under a new opening the way for a diplomatic resolution constitution in 1954, when the council of the dispute. The two countries embarked, changed its name to Legislative Assembly and through the good offices of the OAS, on a Politics extended the franchise to universal adult Last elections: 4 November 2015 peace process leading, in September 2005, to suffrage. By now the movement for agreement on a framework for negotiations Next elections: 2020 independence was under way; it had gained to resolve the dispute and confidence- momentum in 1949 when the British Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, building measures. Included in this agreement Honduras dollar was devalued. This became a represented by Governor-General, Sir Colville was a mechanism, should the parties fail to rallying point with the cry: ‘Give us back our Norbert Young Sr (1993–) reach agreement in negotiations, to allow dollar. Give us independence.’ recourse to an international judicial body. Head of government: Prime Minister Dean In 1954 the first general election was won by Oliver Barrow the People’s United Party (PUP), headed by Ruling party: United Democratic Party Constitution George Price (the PUP won all subsequent Women MPs: 3% (previous House) elections until 1984). In 1964, the country Status: Monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II became self-governing with a bicameral Legislature: National Assembly of Belize In the general election of August 1998 the opposition People’s United Party (PUP) won legislature. In 1971, the seat of government Independence: 21 September 1981 was moved from Belize City to the new 26 of the 29 seats in the House of inland site of Belmopan. In 1961 Hurricane Belize is a parliamentary democracy and Representatives and became Prime Hattie left Belize City in ruins. The country’s constitutional monarchy which recognises Minister. The ruling United Democratic Party name was changed from to Belize in 1973. Further information Independence was delayed by the claim to the Government of Belize: www.belize.gov.bz whole of its territory by neighbouring Elections and Boundaries Guatemala and in 1975 and 1977 British Department: www.elections.gov.bz troops and aircraft were used to protect Belize National Assembly of Belize: www.nationalassembly.gov.bz from the threat of invasion. The UN passed Statistical Institute of Belize: www.statisticsbelize.org.bz several resolutions asserting Belize’s right to its Central Bank of Belize: www.centralbank.org.bz sovereignty and territorial integrity. By the late Belize Tourism Board: www.travelbelize.org 1970s, although the claim was unresolved, Commonwealth Secretariat: www.thecommonwealth.org constitutional talks on independence were Commonwealth of Nations: www.commonwealthofnations.org/country/Belize successful, and the UK agreed to provide a Media defence guarantee, notably by patrolling the Amandala : www.amandala.com.bz border with Guatemala. The Belize Times : www.belizetimes.bz The Guardian : www.guardian.bz After 20 years in power, George Price and The Reporter : www.reporter.bz the PUP lost the 1984 elections to the United The San Pedro Sun : www.sanpedrosun.com Democratic Party (UDP) led by Manuel

THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015 Belize

(UDP) took three seats and Esquivel handed Barrow and the UDP were returned in an Commonwealth nationals. Prohibited imports over the party leadership to Dean Barrow. early general election on 4 November 2015. include some food, pre-Columbian articles, marine products, unprocessed coral and turtle For the first time since independence, the They secured 19 seats (with 50.0 per cent of ruling party was returned to power in the the votes cast) and the PUP 12 seats (47.3 shells. March 2003 general election. The PUP took per cent). Turnout was 73 per cent. Travel within the country: Traffic drives on 22 seats to the UDP’s seven, and Musa the right and visitors can hire cars with a resumed as Prime Minister. International relations foreign driving licence for the first three months of stay. All-weather highways link the In January 2005 the government increased Belize is a member of the African, Caribbean main towns. tax rates on commodities and property and and Pacific Group of States, Association of riots broke out. Civil unrest continued until Caribbean States, Caribbean Community, Scheduled flights operate from Belize City to April with trade unions and government Non-Aligned Movement, Organization of the main towns and islands. Boat services opponents demanding Musa’s resignation. American States, United Nations and World connect Belize City to the main islands. This and allegations of corruption in the PUP Trade Organization. Regular bus services link most towns and government proved decisive in the villages. subsequent elections. Belize is strengthening its links with its Central American neighbours through its Travel health: Prevalent diseases where The February 2008 general election resulted membership of the Sistema de la Integración appropriate precautionary measures are in a landslide victory for the opposition UDP, Centroamericana. recommended include dengue fever, which won 25 seats to the ruling PUP’s six. hepatitis A, hepatitis B, malaria, rabies and UDP leader Barrow became the country’s first typhoid. Prime Minister of African descent. Traveller information There were 294,000 tourist arrivals in 2013. The general election in March 2012 was Immigration and customs: Passports must again won by Barrow and the UDP with 17 be valid for at least six months from the date seats, the PUP taking 14. of departure. Visas are required by most

Click here to find out more about the Click here to find out more about 2015 Commonwealth Yearbook Belize

THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015