Belize is a nation on the eastern coast of Central America, with Caribbean Sea shorelines to the east and dense jungle to the west. Offshore, the massive Belize Barrier Reef, dotted with hundreds of low-lying islands called cayes, hosts rich marine life. Belize’s jungle areas are home to Mayan ruins like Caracol, renowned for its towering pyramid; lagoon-side Lamanai; and Altun Ha, just outside Belize City.
Languages:The official language of Belize is English, which is spoken by the majority of the population. English is used in government, education, and the media, and it is the language of instruction in schools. In addition to English, there are also a number of local dialects spoken in Belize, including Belizean Creole, which is a blend of English, African, and other languages. Finally, Spanish is also spoken by some people in Belize, particularly among those who have immigrated from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Ethnic Groups: mestizo 52.9%, Creole 25.9%, Maya 11.3%, Garifuna 6.1%, East Indian 3.9%, Mennonite 3.6%, white 1.2%, Asian 1%, other 1.2%, unknown 0.3%
Belief Systems: Roman Catholic 40.1%, Protestant 31.5% (includes Pentecostal 8.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 4.7%, Mennonite 3.7%, Baptist 3.6%, Methodist 2.9%, Nazarene 2.8%), Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 10.5% (includes Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, Morman, Muslim, Rastafarian), unknown 0.6%, none 15.5% (2010 est.)
Demographics:
Population: 337209 people (World Rank: 180th) (2014 estimate)
Population Density: 38.3 people/mi^2 (People per Square Mile) (World Rank: 215th) (2014 estimate)
Population Growth: 1.98 %/yr (World Rank: 61st) (2013 estimate)
Life Expectancy: 73.9 years (World Rank: 117th) (2013 estimate)
Median Age: 22 years (World Rank: 131st) (2010 estimate)
Sites for More Information:
Map of Belize
Worldatlas.com
Belize
World Factbook
Belize - Belize
Wikipedia.org
Belize - Country Profile
U.S. Library of Congress
Belize - General Information
Encyclopedia.com
Culture and Tourism:
Tourism Belize
All about Belize as a travel destination
John Canoe Festival
Festival embodying the local culture and art of Belize
Xunantunich Maya Site
Historical stone Mayan site in Belize
Musical Instruments of Belize
from belizeadventure.ca
Recipes from Belize
from pinterest.com
Belize Language Resources:
Study in Belize Site
Study abroad in Belize through the Toucan Education Program
Government Related:
Belizian Embassy
in Washington D.C.
Belizian Government Websites
by Gunnar Anzinger
