|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
About Belize |
Belize General Information
Belize (formerly British Honduras) is a scenically beautiful, independent country located on the Caribbean seaboard of Central America. Belize has an area of approximately 23,026 sq km, and is bounded by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south.
The administrative capital of Belize is Belmopan, but the major commercial centre is Belize City, which is located on the eastern coast close to the major international airport.
» Population
The total population of Belize is approximately 312,000 of which some 70,000 live in Belize City. The population of Belize is ethnically diverse and includes descendants of the original Mayan culture and people of Caribbean, Caucasian, Chinese and East Indian descent.
» Political Structure
Belize has a long history of peace, stability and democracy. It became a British Crown Colony in 1862 and achieved complete self-rule in 1981. Belize is a member of the British Commonwealth, the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Belize is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy which recognises HM Queen Elizabeth II as head of state represented by a Governor General who must be a Belizean national. The National Assemby is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Senate has 12 members and the House of Representatives comprises of 29 members, directly elected at intervals of no longer than five years. The prime minister and cabinet have executive power.
There are two main political parties; both parties are committed to the economic development of the country and the encouragement of overseas investment. The next elections are to be held in March 2008.
» Infrastructure and Economy
Belize's unspoiled environment with cays and barrier reef make it a popular destination for eco-tourists, whilst its clear unpolluted waters are excellent for swimming, diving, fishing and other aqua sports. The country also offers a unique mix of unspoiled woodlands, caves, rivers, mountains, waterfalls and jungle, in addition to a wealth of Mayan archaeological sites. There are also forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, marine resort areas and the world's only jaguar reserve.
Major exports are sugar, bananas, citrus products, fishery products, garments and timber and wood products. The offshore finance industry is generating an increasing proportion of national income.» Language
The official and spoken language is English but Spanish is widely spoken.
» Currency
The Belize Dollar (BZ$).
» Exchange Control
Offshore activities are exempted from exchange control.
» Type of Law
Common Law. Based on English Company Law.
» Principal Corporate Legislation
International Business Companies Act, 1990, amended 2000.
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
 |
|
©2010 OCRA Worldwide | |
|
||