Belize facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Belize Bileez (Belizean Creole) Belice (Spanish) B'eleze (K'iche' Mayan) Belice (Yucatec Mayan)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Sub umbra floreo  (Latin) "Under the shade I flourish"
Anthem: "Land of the Free" Royal anthem: "God Save the King"
Location of Belize (dark green) in the Americas Belize and its neighbours
Capital	Belmopan 17°15′N 88°46′W / 17.250°N 88.767°W / 17.250; -88.767
Largest city	Belize City 17°29′N 88°11′W / 17.483°N 88.183°W / 17.483; -88.183
Official languages	English
Vernacular language	Belizean Creole
Regional and minority languages	Spanish Mayan German Garifuna Chinese
Religion (2022)	61.9% Christianity 31.8% no religion 6.3% other
Demonym(s)	Belizean
Government	Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
• Monarch	Charles III
• Governor-General	Froyla Tzalam
• Prime Minister	Johnny Briceño
Legislature	National Assembly
• Upper house	Senate
• Lower house	House of Representatives
Independence  from the United Kingdom
• Self-governance	January 1964
• Independence	21 September 1981
Area
• Total	22,966 km2 (8,867 sq mi) (147th)
• Water (%)	0.8
Population
• 2022 census	397,483
• Density	17.31/km2 (44.8/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2025 estimate
• Total	$6.414 billion (180th)
• Per capita	$15,363 (123rd)
GDP (nominal)	2025 estimate
• Total	$3.488 billion (179th)
• Per capita	$8,355 (98th)
Gini (2013)	53.1 high
HDI (2022)	0.700 high · 118th
Currency	Belize dollar ($) (BZD)
Time zone	UTC−06:00 (CST)
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy (AD)
Driving side	right
Calling code	+501
ISO 3166 code	BZ
Internet TLD	.bz

Belize is a country in Central America. It borders Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It has an area of 22,970 square kilometres (8,867 sq mi) and a population of 397,483 people (as of 2022). Its mainland is about 290 km (180 mi) long and 110 km (68 mi) wide. Its capital is Belmopan, and its largest city is the namesake city of Belize City.

Belize has a rich variety of wildlife. It is home for more than 5,000 species of plants and hundreds of species of animals, including armadillos, snakes, and monkeys.

Name

The earliest known record of the name "Belize" appears in the journal of the Dominican priest Fray José Delgado, dating to 1677. Delgado recorded the names of three major rivers that he crossed while travelling north along the Caribbean coast: Rio Soyte, Rio Kibum, and Rio Balis. The names of these waterways, which correspond to the Sittee River, Sibun River, and Belize River, were provided to Delgado by his translator. It has been proposed that Delgado's "Balis" was actually the Mayan word belix (or belize), meaning "muddy-watered". More recently, it has been proposed that the name comes from the Mayan phrase "bel Itza", meaning "the road to Itza".

Geography

Belize is located right in the middle of the Americas, connecting North and South America. It's part of Central America but also has strong ties to the Caribbean region.

• Neighbors: Mexico is to the north, Guatemala is to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea is to the east. It also shares a water border with Honduras.
• Size: Belize is about 22,970 square kilometers (8,867 sq mi). It's a bit larger than countries like El Salvador or Wales.
• Landscape: The northern part is mostly flat and sometimes swampy, with lots of forests. The southern part has low mountains called the Maya Mountains. The highest point is Doyle's Delight, which is 1,124 meters (3,688 ft) tall.
• Coastline: Belize has a long coastline along the Caribbean Sea, stretching about 386 kilometers (240 mi). Just off the coast is the incredible Belize Barrier Reef.
• Rivers: Important rivers like the Hondo River and the Sarstoon River help form some of the country's borders.

Belize Barrier Reef

Belize Barrier Reef; aerial view looking north

The Great Blue Hole, a phenomenon of karst topography

One of the most famous natural features of Belize is its Barrier Reef. It's about 300 kilometers (190 mi) long and is part of a larger reef system that goes all the way from Mexico to Honduras. It's the second-largest barrier reef system in the world!

The reef is home to tons of different plants and animals, including:

The Belize Barrier Reef is home to a large diversity of plants and animals, and is one of the most diverse ecosystems of the world:

• 70 hard coral species
• 36 soft coral species
• 500 species of fish
• hundreds of invertebrate species

Scientists think there are many more species living there that haven't even been discovered yet!

It's a huge draw for tourists who love diving and snorkeling. It's also important for the fishing industry.

Because it's so special and also needs protection, UNESCO (a part of the United Nations) named it a World Heritage Site in 1996. Belize has also taken steps to protect the reef, like banning certain types of fishing nearby.

Natural resources

Belize is known to have a number of economically important minerals. These minerals include dolomite, barite (source of barium), bauxite (source of aluminium), cassiterite (source of tin), and gold.

Climate

Scarlet macaws are native to Central and northern South America. Various bird sanctuaries exist in Belize, such as the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Belize has a tropical climate. This means it's generally warm all year round.

• Seasons: There are usually two main seasons: a wet season and a dry season. The wet season brings more rain.
• Temperature: Temperatures stay pretty warm, usually between 24°C (75.2°F) and 27°C (80.6°F) in coastal areas. It can be a bit warmer inland, except in the mountains where it's cooler.
• Hurricanes: Like other places in the Caribbean, Belize can be affected by hurricanes, especially during the wet season. These powerful storms have sometimes caused damage in the past, leading to important decisions like moving the capital city inland to Belmopan after a big hurricane in 1961.

History

Extent of the Maya civilization

"Caana" at Caracol

"El Castillo" at Xunantunich

Belize has a long and interesting history, going back thousands of years.

The area that is now Belize was once part of the amazing Maya civilization. The Maya lived here from around 1500 BCE and their culture thrived until about 1200 CE. You can still visit many ancient Maya sites in Belize today!

European explorers first sailed near the coast in the early 1500s. Later, in 1638, English settlers arrived. These early settlers, often called "Baymen," were interested in cutting down trees like logwood and mahogany, which were valuable. Spain and Britain both wanted control of the land.

A famous event in Belizean history is the Battle of St. George's Caye in 1798, where the Baymen fought off a Spanish attack. This battle is celebrated as a national holiday.

Britain eventually gained more control, and in 1862, the area officially became a British colony called British Honduras.

Over time, people in British Honduras began working towards governing themselves. Leaders like George Cadle Price were important in this movement. The country was renamed Belize in 1973.

Belize finally became an independent country from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981. This is a very important date celebrated every year!

For a long time, Guatemala has claimed that some of Belize's land belongs to them. This is a historical issue that both countries have been working to resolve peacefully, including by agreeing to send the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to help find a solution. As of May 2025, the case is still being considered by the ICJ.

Government

National Assembly in Belmopan

Belize is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. This means it has a King or Queen as the head of state, but the country is run by an elected government led by a Prime Minister.

The head of state is King Charles III, who lives in the UK. He is represented in Belize by a Governor-General.

Belize has a National Assembly, which is made up of two parts: the House of Representatives (whose members are elected by the people) and the Senate (whose members are appointed). These groups make the laws for the country.

People in Belize vote to choose their representatives. Women gained the right to vote in 1954. The two main political parties are the People's United Party (PUP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP).

Administrative divisions

Belize is divided into six districts.

These districts are further divided into 31 constituencies. Local government in Belize comprises four types of local authorities: city councils, town councils, village councils and community councils. The two city councils (Belize City and Belmopan) and seven town councils cover the urban population of the country, while village and community councils cover the rural population.

Largest cities

Economy

The country's economy relies heavily on agriculture (farming), tourism, and construction.

Sugar is a major crop, and bananas and papaya are also important.

Because of its beautiful natural places like the Barrier Reef, beaches, and Maya ruins, tourism is a very big part of the economy. Many people visit Belize to enjoy these sights and activities.

Belize is working to improve its energy systems, including using more renewable energy sources like solar power. The country's main telecommunications company, called Digi, provides phone, internet, and TV services.

People and Culture

Belize is known for having a very diverse population, with people from many different backgrounds living together.

Population

As of 2022, the population was about 397,483 people.

Ethnic Groups

Traditional Garifuna dancers in Dangriga, Belize

The main groups include:

1. Mestizos: People of mixed Maya and Spanish descent, many of whom came from Mexico.
2. Creoles: People whose ancestors were often a mix of West and Central Africans and British settlers.
3. Garinagu: Also known as Garifuna, these people have mixed African, Arawak, and Island Carib ancestry. They have a unique culture and language.
4. Maya: Descendants of the ancient Maya who still live in Belize today.
5. Mennonites: Groups of people, often of German descent, who live in farming communities and follow their religious traditions.
6. East Indians: People of Indian ancestry.
7. East Asians and Arabs: People from places like China, Syria, and Lebanon.

Languages

While English is the official language used in government and schools, many other languages are spoken. Belizean Creole is very common and used in everyday life. Spanish is also widely spoken, especially in areas near Mexico and Guatemala. Mayan languages (like Q'eqchi', Mopan, and Yucatec Maya) and Garifuna are also spoken by their respective communities. Many Belizeans speak more than one language!

Music

Popular music styles include punta and brukdown, which have Caribbean roots. Latin music is also becoming popular.

Sports

Football (soccer), basketball, volleyball, and cycling are popular sports. There are also famous events like the Cross Country Cycling Classic and the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge canoe race.

Holidays

Belize celebrates traditional holidays as well as unique ones like Garifuna Settlement Day and the September Celebrations, which include Independence Day and St. George's Caye Day.

Cuisine

Rice and beans (with coconut milk), stewed chicken and potato salad. An inter-ethnic staple meal.

Belizean cuisine is similar to both Mexican/Central American cuisine and Jamaican/Anglo-Caribbean cuisine.

Breakfast typically consists of bread, flour tortillas, or fry jacks (deep fried dough pieces) that are often homemade. Fry jacks are eaten with various cheeses, "fry" beans, various forms of eggs or cereal, along with powdered milk, coffee, or tea. Tacos made from corn or flour tortillas and meat pies can also be consumed for a hearty breakfast from a street vendor.

Midday meals are the main meals for Belizeans, usually called "dinner". They vary, from foods such as rice and beans with or without coconut milk, tamales, "panades" (fried maize shells with beans or fish), meat pies, escabeche (onion soup), chimole (soup), caldo, stewed chicken, and garnaches (fried tortillas with beans, cheese, and sauce) to various constituted dinners featuring some type of rice and beans, meat and salad, or coleslaw. Fried "fry" chicken is another common course.

In rural areas, meals are typically simpler than in cities. The Maya use maize, beans, or squash for most meals, and the Garifuna are fond of seafood, cassava (particularly made into cassava bread or ereba), and vegetables.

National Symbols

Belize has special symbols that represent the country:

• National Flower: The Black Orchid.
• National Tree: The Mahogany Tree, which is on the country's coat of arms. The motto "Sub Umbra Floreo" means "Under the shade I flourish," referring to this tree.
• National Animal: The Baird's Tapir (sometimes called the Mountain Cow).
• National Bird: The Keel-billed Toucan.

Interesting facts about Belize

• It is the only Central American country where English is the official language.
• Belize is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America.
• In 2023, Belize became the second Central American country to be awarded certification for the elimination of malaria by the WHO.
• Over 60% of Belize's land surface is covered by lush forest.

See also

In Spanish: Belice para niños

Images for kids

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  "El Castillo" at Xunantunich

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  An excerpt from the 1898 Gazette that declared 10 September an official holiday, part of the efforts of the Centennial Committee

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  Colonial flag of British Honduras, 1870–1919

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  Colonial flag of British Honduras, 1919–1981

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  A British Honduras postage stamp overprinted in 1962 to mark Hurricane Hattie

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  Districts of Belize

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  Topography of Belize

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  Belizean jungles are home to the jaguar and many other mammals. Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary was founded in 1990 as the first wilderness sanctuary for the jaguar and is regarded by one author as the premier site for jaguar preservation in the world.

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  Accomplished Belizean cyclist Shalini Zabaneh

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  keel-billed toucan

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  A proportional representation of Belize's exports in 2019

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  Belize electricity supply by source

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  Mennonite children selling peanuts near Lamanai in Belize.

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  Köppen climate classification of Belize