About Belize
Belize is a small country located in Central America, just south of Mexico and east of Guatemala. (see maps at bottom of page) The country was previously known as British Honduras, as it was a British colony, until their independence on September 21, 1981. With a population of only about 321,000, the country has a rich mix of ethnicities and cultures. There are Mestizo/Mayan populations in the northern districts of Corozal and Orange Walk. (Mestizo means "mixture" - and the people are considered a mix of Maya and Spanish lineage.) In the district of Belize, where Belize City is located, there is a large population of Creoles, while in the southern districts of Stann Creek and Toledo the population is mostly made up of Garifuna. (Garifuna are decendants of Carib and Arawak Indians and West Africans.) The western district of Cayo, home to the capital city of Belmopan, is very diverse, made up of transplants from Guatemala, San Salvador and other Central American countries, as well a mixture of ethnicities found in other districts. Throughout Belize there are also populations of Chinese, Mennonites, Lebanese, East Indians and Sri Lankans. As you may have noticed, for such a small country, there is much diversity! That same diversity also extends to the wildlife. There are said to be over 540 different species of birds, over 300 different species of fish, and 145 different species of mammals! Belize also has multiple sites for Maya ruins, a statement of their rich history and culture.
Here are a few facts from the CIA World Factbook. (www.cia.gov)
-English is the official language of Belize, though you may hear other language such as, Spanish, Yucatec Maya, Creole, Garifuna, German and others.
-Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion. Other religions practiced are Pentecostal, Anglican, Seventh Day Adventist, Mennonite, Jehovah's Witness and Reformed evangelical.
-The national flower is the Black Orchid.
-The national tree is the Mahogany tree.
-The national bird is the Toucan.
-The national animal is the Tapir, or Mountain Cow.
-Climate is tropical. The rainy season is May to November. The dry season is February to May.
-The government is a parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm with two main political parties, the People's United Party (PUP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP).
-Tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner in this small economy, followed by exports of marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. (Sugar cane is the main industry in the north where the clinic is located.)
-GDP per capita in 2010 was $8,400.
-The unemployment rate in 2009 was 13.1%.
-Only about 12% of the population uses the internet.
-About 19% of the roads are paved.
Here are a few facts from the CIA World Factbook. (www.cia.gov)
-English is the official language of Belize, though you may hear other language such as, Spanish, Yucatec Maya, Creole, Garifuna, German and others.
-Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion. Other religions practiced are Pentecostal, Anglican, Seventh Day Adventist, Mennonite, Jehovah's Witness and Reformed evangelical.
-The national flower is the Black Orchid.
-The national tree is the Mahogany tree.
-The national bird is the Toucan.
-The national animal is the Tapir, or Mountain Cow.
-Climate is tropical. The rainy season is May to November. The dry season is February to May.
-The government is a parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm with two main political parties, the People's United Party (PUP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP).
-Tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner in this small economy, followed by exports of marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. (Sugar cane is the main industry in the north where the clinic is located.)
-GDP per capita in 2010 was $8,400.
-The unemployment rate in 2009 was 13.1%.
-Only about 12% of the population uses the internet.
-About 19% of the roads are paved.