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Belize is situated on the Caribbean Sea, south of Mexico and east and north of Guatemala in Central America. In area, it is about the size of New Hampshire. Most of the country is heavily forested with various hardwoods. Mangrove swamps and cays along the coast give way to hills and mountains in the interior. The highest point is Victoria Peak, 3,681 ft.

Belize has more in common with the Caribbean island-states than with its Central American neighbors.

This is reflected in its major languages, English and Creole, and in its mainly Anglo-Caribbean architecture and its relatively peaceful political culture.

History

The Mayan civilization spread into the area of Belize between 1500 BC and AD 300 and flourished until about AD 1200.

European contact began in 1502 when Christopher Columbus sailed along the coast. The first recorded European settlement was established by shipwrecked English seamen in 1638.

Over the next 150 years, more English settlements were established. Belize became self-governing in 1964, was renamed Belize in 1973 and was granted independence in 1981.

Queen Elizabeth is the Head of State of Belize whilst the country elects its own Prime Minister, who runs the Government.

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