Central America, Caribbean coast.

GMT - 6.

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

322,100 (2008 estimate).

11.6 per sq km.

Belmopan City. Population: 18,100.  Belize City (the former capital) has a population of 65, 2008.

Although Belize is a tiny country, it has an astonishing range of geography. The Great Maya Barrier Reef runs alongside Belize's coast creating hundreds of small islands called cayes (keys) and offshore atolls, perfect for diving or snorkelling.  

From the centre of the country, stretching southwest into Guatemala and southeast to the coast, are the Maya Mountains; a tropical broadleaf forest that is home to hundreds of different species.  

The two most northern districts are Corazol, which is flat terrain eventually turning into the forested hills and wild tropical jungle of Orange Walk. This sector is often referred to as the breadbasket of the country since it's primarily an agricultural area. 

The Belize district is home to the Northern Cayes. Ambergris Caye is the most-developed and elegant resort area in the country while Caye Caulker has a more laid back atmosphere. Both are famous for their diving and snorkelling. Belize City has a mixed geography: north are the savannahs, to the west tropical jungle and to the south lagoons and mangroves.

Western Cayo district is the largest county and is home to the Maya Mountains. Several rivers drop down from the mountain range, heading south, east and north making this a lush forested area filled with waterfalls, caves and Mayan ruins. The spectacular Hummingbird Highway transverses the northern edge of the mountains.

Southern Belize has two distinct areas. Stann Creek rests on the eastern ridge on the Maya Mountain range where there are forested hills and pristine jungle ending at Dangriga City on the coast that gives way to the Central Cayes.

Parliamentary Democracy with Queen Elizabeth II as a constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1981.

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

Prime Minister Dean O. Barrow since February 2008.

On February 7, 2008, Belize elected its first black prime minister when the United Democratic Party (UDP) lead by Dean O. Barrow won 25 of the 31 Seats of Representatives. The UDP ousted Said Moses and the People's United Party, who had been in power for over 10 years. Barrow inherited a heavy debt load, growing social problems, increased violence, an agricultural sector damaged by hurricanes, a sluggish economy and a government tainted by ongoing scandals and rumours of corruption. Since being elected, Barrow has pushed through a number of reforms aimed at restructuring the country's finances to bring about an economic recovery and lower unemployment rates.

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).

The people of Belize are mainly Roman Catholic (approximately 49.6% of the population). Approximately 27% is Protestant with a growing evangelical movement. There is a growing Rastafarian communities along with smaller pockets of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Bahai.

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

British influence can still be seen in many social situations. Flowers or confectionary are acceptable gifts to give to hosts if invited to their home for a meal. Dress is casual, although beachwear should not be worn in towns. It may be inadvisable to discuss politics, particularly if of a partisan nature. Time is much more flexible here and any impatience towards the lack of punctuality will not be well received. You'll be asked to get onto Belizean Time.