Determined to Defeat Poverty In Belize Central America
ABOUT BELIZE
U.S.A
• Area: 8,867 square miles (Belize is slightly smaller than Massachusetts.)
• Population: 307,899 (July 2010 est.)
• Capital: Belmopan
• Independence Day: Sept. 21 (1981)
• Languages: English is the official language of Belize, and is spoken by 3.9% of the population. Spanish is spoken by 46% of the population, Creole by 32.9%, Mayan dialects by 8.9%, Garifuna (Carib) 3.4% German 3.3% and classified as other is 1.4% (2000 census)
• Religion: Belize's population is 49.6% Roman Catholic, 27% Protestant, the rest of the population are either categorized as other or none.
• Currency: Belizean Dollars (BZD) / 1.98 Belizean Dollars = $1 USD
(Oct. 2010 est.)
• Unemployment: 14% (2012 est.)
• Literacy rate : Total population: 76.9% | Male: 76.7% | Female: 77.1% (Defined: People age 15 and older who can read and write) (2000•est.)
Demographics
By age (2010 est.)
0-14 years: 37.9% (male 59,462 / female 57,117)
15-64 years: 58.6% (male 91,298 / female 89,170)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 5,185 / female 5,667)
Median age (2010 est.)
Total: 20.7 years
Male: 20.5 years
Female: 20.9 years
•The national bird of Belize is the Keel Billed Toucan, it bares a resemblance to Kelloggs Toucan Sam, with its canoe-shaped bill and brightly colored feathers.
• It is believed that Belize was the heart of Mayan civilization during the classic period. Thousands of Mayan ruins are scattered among the forests, but only a handful have been found.
• The largest cave system in Central America can be found along the Chiquibul River in the Maya Mountains, which was used by the Mayans as a place to offer sacrifices to the gods of death.
• Built in 1922, the Belize City Swing Bridge has the honor of being the only functioning manually operated swing bridge in the world.
•Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official language.
•The Belize Barrier Reef (199 miles) is the longest in the western hemisphere and the second longest in the world next to the Great Barrier Reef on the Australian coastline.
•Sixty percent of Belize's land mass is made up of forest, making them a part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, which stretches from Southern Mexico to Panama.
•Belizean cuisine is inspired by British, Mexican, and Western Caribbean cooking, while a zest of coconut milk or fried plantains provide that tropical taste.
•The largest sports event that takes place every year in Belize is the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic which offers nationals and tourists alike an opportunity to see their beautiful country-side in action-packed excitement.
• Folklore is a common interest in the citizens of Belize. A mythical creature, Tata Duende, is said to walk the forests, protecting the animals and jungles of Belize. It is said that you can feel his presence once entering the forest.
HISTORY & FACTS