BELIZE Official name: Belize Location: Central America International organisations: The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, The Commonwealth of Nations, The Non-Aligned Movement, The Organisation of American States, The United Nations, The World Trade Organisation. Borders: Guatemala, Nexico Coastline: Caribbean Sea Land area: 22,966 Kmw Population: 270,000 Ethnicity: Most of the population are of Creole (mixed European, African and Native American) descent. About 20% are of Mayan, Garifuna or other indigenous stock.

Languages: English is the official language and the language of government and business. About half the population speak an English creole called Kriol or Creola. About 30% speak Spanish. Indigenous languages such as Garifuna, Mayan and Kekchi are spoken in the interior.
Religion: Christian 77% (Catholic 50%, Protestant 27%), other 14%
Form of government: Constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. Belize is divided into six districts.
Capital: Belmopan
Constitution: The Constitution of Belize came into effect on 21 September 1981.
Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Belize. The Queen came to the British throne on 6 February 1952, and has held the title Queen of Belize since 21 September 1981. The Queen's functions in Belize are excercised by a Governor-General, appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister. The current Governor-General, Sir Colville Young, took office on 17 November 1993.
Head of government: The Prime Minister, appointed by the Governor-General. The Prime Minister is the leader of the largest party in the legislature and is accountable to it.
Legislature: Belize has a bicameral legislature, the National Assembly. The House of Representatives has 29 members, elected for five-year terms from single-member constituencies. The Senate has nine appointed members.
Electoral authority: The Belize Elections and Boundaries Commission conducts national elections.
Freedom House 2005 rating: Political Rights 1, Civil Liberties 2

Political history