Belize Country & Tourist Information

Location
Central America, Caribbean coast.

Area
22,965 sq km (8,867 sq miles).

Population
266,000 (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density
11.6 per sq km.

Capital
Belmopan City.
Population: 12,300 (2004). Belize City (the former capital) has a population of 59,400.

Government
Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1981.

Language
English is the official language, but Spanish is spoken to some extent by over half the population. Garifuna (Carib), Maya and Creole are also spoken as well as a German dialect (by the Mennonites).

Religion
The people of Belize are mainly Roman Catholic (approximately 60% of the population). Other small groups practice Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Bahai, as well as other Christian denominations.

Time
GMT - 6.

Electricity
110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style two-pin plugs are standard.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Said Musa since 1998.

Head of State
HM Queen Elizabeth II represented locally by Governor-General Sir Colville Young since 1993.

Recent History
Said Musa was re-elected in 2003 with his People’s United Party (PUP) winning 21 of the 29 assembly seats. However, the PUP’s second term has been marred by financial problems, allegations of corruption and violent protests, including a riot in Belize City in April 2005. Drug-related violence has also been a problem. Furthermore, in 2006, the US state department included Belize on a list of countries considered not to be doing enough to tackle human trafficking. The PUP was heavily defeated in the March 2006 local elections by the opposition United Democratic Party (UPD). The next general election is due in 2008.

Telephone
Country code: 501.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good along most of the coast and along the main routes to Mexico and Guatemala. Handsets can be hired from Belize Telecommunications Ltd at the international airport.

Internet
There are Internet cafes in urban centers and popular tourist centers.

Media
Belize’s constitution guarantees a free press, though exceptions are provided for in the interest of national security, public order and morality. There are no daily newspapers; some of the weekly papers are subsidised by political parties. All TV channels are privately run.


Post
Mail to Europe takes up to five days.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800/0830-1200 and 1300-1630. A few open on Saturdays.

Press
• The major weeklies include Amandala, The Belize Times, The Reporter and The San Pedro Sun, a community paper published on Ambergris Caye.
• The Guardian is a United Democratic Party-affiliated paper.

Radio
• Love FM is a commercial music and news station.
• Estereo Amor is a private, Spanish-language station.
• Krem FM is a commercial station.
• More FM is a private music station targeted at younger listeners.
• Wave Radio is United Democratic Party-affiliated.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
9 Mar Baron Bliss Day. 
10-13 Apr Easter.
1 May Labor Day.
24 May Commonwealth Day.
10 Sep St George's Caye Day.
21 Sep Independence Day.
12 Oct Columbus Day.
19 Nov Garifuna Settlement Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
9 Mar Baron Bliss Day.
2-5 Apr Easter.
1 May Labor Day.
24 May Commonwealth Day.
10 Sep St George's Caye Day.
21 Sep Independence Day.
11 Oct Columbus Day.
19 Nov Garifuna Settlement Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

Contact Information:

Belize Tourism Board
Street address: Lower Flat, New Horizon Investment Building, 3 1/2 Miles Northern Highway, Belize City, Belize
Postal address: PO Box 325, Belize City, Belize
Tel: 223 1913 or 1 800 624 0686 (toll-free from the USA only).
Website: www.travelbelize.org

Belize High Commission in the UK
3rd Floor, 45 Crawford Place, London W1H 4LP, UK
Tel: (020) 7723 3603.
Website: www.belizehighcommission.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1800; 1000-1300 (consular section).

Caribbean Tourism Organization in the UK
22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, UK
Tel: (020) 8948 0057.
Website: www.doitcaribbean.com

Embassy of Belize in the USA
2535 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 332 9636.
Website: www.embassyofbelize.org

Caribbean Tourism Organization in the USA
80 Broad Street, 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10004, USA
Tel: (212) 635 9530.
Website: www.doitcaribbean.com


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