Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include an unsustainable foreign debt, high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, growing urban crime, and increasing incidences of HIV/AIDS.

Belize at 22,966 sq km., is slightly smaller than Massachusetts and is the only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean. The populations is 294,385 est in 2007.

The government is a parliamentary democracy and the capitol is Belmopan.

There are 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo

It is a small, essentially private-enterprise economy with tourism industry as the number one foreign exchange earner followed by marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 5% in 1999-2005. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors.

GDP: agriculture: 22.5%
industry: 23%
services: 54.5% (2004 est.)

BELIZE