Government: Independent nation
since 1981, member of British Commonwealth of Nations. Parliamentary democracy
with two major political parties, the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the
People's United Party (PUP). The PUP currently holds power, led by Prime
Minister Said Musa (took office March 5 2003). Belize has a Constitution, which
includes a Bill of Rights.
Location: Belize lies on the eastern coastline of Central America,
bordered on the north by Mexico, on the west and south by Guatemala, and on the
east by the Caribbean Sea. It is separated by sea from its neighbor to the
southwest, Honduras.
Size: Approximately 8,866 square miles. Belize's mainland is
approximately 180 miles long and up to 68 miles wide. Belize also consists of
over 200 cayes (islands), ranging in size from a few hundred feet to 25 miles
long and four miles wide; most of which are located inside the 200 mile Belize
Reef.
Population: The population of Belize is approximately 280,000. There is a
great deal of ethnic diversity among Belizeans, who include Hispanic, Creoles
(African-European), Mestizo (Spanish-Indian), Mennonite, Garifuna
(African-Indian), Mayan, Anglo-European, Middle Eastern and Asian. The largest
single group is Hispanic.
Climate: Belize weather is characterized by two seasons: a rainy and a
dry season. Belize annual rainfall: most of the year's rainfall occurs during
the period June to November, that is, the rainy season. It is noted that the
transition from dry to the rainy is very sharp. Belize annual rainfall ranges
from 60 inches (1524mm) in the north to 160 inches (4064mm) in the south. Except
for the southern regions, the rainfall is variable from year to year.
The onset of the rainy season begins in the early May in Toledo, (where the
Belize annual rainfall is highest) progressing north to the Stann Creek, Belize,
Cayo and Orange Walk District in late May, followed by Corozal District in early
June. The mean temperature varies from 81°F/ 27°C along the coast to 69°F/21°C
in the hills. The coldest month is January while the highest temperatures are
experienced during the month of May.
Language: English is the official language and is widely spoken, as is
Spanish. Other languages include Creole, German, Mayan and Garifuna.
Getting to Belize: Belize is about 2 hours and 15 minutes by air from
Miami, Florida and Houston, Texas. U.S. gateway cities to Belize include Miami,
Houston and New Orleans, Louisiana. Direct flights are also available from Los
Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C; and from Toronto, Canada. From Mexico,
direct flights to Belize are available from Cancun and Chetumal. Most Central
American countries offer direct flights to Belize, including Guatemala, Honduras
and Costa Rica.
Some tourists prefer to fly into Cancun as air fares are cheap. Then from Cancun
catch the ADO air conditioned buses to Belize - about a 4 hour ride. Some
European tourists also prefer to fly into Guatemala City and from there catch
the Linia Dorada air conditioned buses to Belize - about a 5 hour ride.
International airlines serving Belize:
American Airlines: . Direct
flights from Dallas/Ft. Worth, Miami.
Continental Airlines: Nonstop from Houston.
Taca (El Salvador): Direct flights from Houston, Miami.
US Air: Direct Flights from Charlotte.
Delta Airways Direct Flights from Atlanta.
Getting Around by Air in Belize: International travelers fly into the
newly renovated and expanded Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize
City. From there, connections can be made to various destinations within Belize,
including: Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Caye Chapel, Corozal, Dangriga, Big
Creek, Placencia and Punta Gorda; as well as to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras,
etc. Travelers already in Belize City should utilize the smaller Municipal
Airport for in-country flights, as costs are much lower.
Belizean Airlines Offering In-Country Service:
Tropic Air: Belize
International, Belize Municipal, Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Caye Chapel,
Corozal, Placencia, Punta Gorda, Flores (Guatemala)
Maya Island Air: Belize
International, Belize Municipal, Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Corozal
Private Aircraft: Private aircraft must enter Philip Goldson
International Airport in Belize City.