Belize: British Colony To Independence

Belize is a country located on the northeast coast of Central America. It was known as British Honduras until 1973, when its name was changed by an act of parliament. Belize was the last British colony on the American mainland and achieved independence on 21 September 1981. It has retained its historical links with the UK through membership in the Commonwealth, with King Charles III as its monarch and head of state.

Belize was a British colony until 1981

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, was a British colony until 1981. It was the last British colony on the American mainland. Its prolonged path to independence was marked by a unique international campaign against the irredentist claims of its neighbour to the west, Guatemala.

Belize was granted independence on 21 September 1981 and has retained its historical links with the United Kingdom through membership in the British Commonwealth. It is the only English-speaking country in Central America and has strong links with its geographic Spanish-speaking Central American neighbours.

Belize's institutions and official language reflect its history as a British colony. However, its culture is more typical of that of other Central American countries. Belize's small population is ethnically diverse and includes a large proportion of immigrants.

The country has a bicameral National Assembly, consisting of a House of Representatives with 31 members and a thirteen-member Senate. The head of state is King Charles III, represented by a local ceremonial governor-general, Froyla Tzalam. The prime minister is Johnny Briceño.

Belize's population is approximately 410,990. The majority of the population was once English or Creole-speaking African-descent Creoles. However, outward migrations of Creoles to North America, and the inward migration of Latinos following civil wars in neighbouring Guatemala and El Salvador, have shifted the demographics. Today, Belize has one of the most stable and democratic political systems in Central America.

Belize's economy is small and mostly private enterprise, based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction recently assuming greater importance. The country is also a producer of industrial minerals, crude oil, and petroleum.

Belize is a Commonwealth realm

A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth that has Charles III as its monarch and ceremonial head of state. All the realms are equal with and independent of the others, though one person, resident in the United Kingdom, acts as monarch of each. The phrase Commonwealth realm is an informal description not used in any law.

As of 2024, there are 15 Commonwealth realms: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and the United Kingdom. While the Commonwealth of Nations has 56 independent member states, only these 15 have Charles III as head of state.

The notion of these states sharing the same person as their monarch traces back to 1867 when Canada became the first dominion, a self-governing nation of the British Empire; others, such as Australia (1901) and New Zealand (1907), followed suit. With the growing independence of the dominions in the 1920s, the Balfour Declaration of 1926 established the Commonwealth of Nations and that the nations were considered "equal in status ... though united by a common allegiance to the Crown".

The evolution of dominions into realms has resulted in the Crown having both a shared and a separate character, with the one individual being equally monarch of each state and acting as such in right of a particular realm as a distinct legal person guided only by the advice of the cabinet of that jurisdiction.

Belize's small population is ethnically diverse and includes a large proportion of immigrants. Since the 1970s, migration has shifted Belize’s ethnic composition from a predominantly Creole (mixed African and British descent) population to one in which mestizos (in Belize, people of mixed Mayan and Spanish ancestry) make up half of the total inhabitants. Belize has one of the most stable and democratic political systems in Central America.

Belize's population is ethnically diverse

Belize is a small country with a diverse population. The country's official language is English, but many other languages are spoken, including Spanish, Kriol, Mayan, and Garifuna. Belize's population is made up of a variety of ethnic groups, including Mestizo, Creole, Maya, Garifuna, East Indian, Mennonite, White, Asian, and others.

The country's ethnic composition has shifted over time, with the Creole population decreasing due to emigration and the Mestizo population growing due to immigration from neighbouring Central American countries. Today, Mestizos are the largest ethnic group in Belize, making up about half of the total population. Creoles, who are descendants of Baymen slave owners and slaves brought to the region for logging, account for about a quarter of the population but make up almost 75% of the country's diaspora.

The Maya are thought to have been in Belize since the second millennium BCE, and there are now three Maya groups in the country: the Mopan, the Yucatec, and the Q'eqchi'. The Garinagu, who are a mix of West/Central African, Arawak, and Island Carib, make up about 4.5% of the population. Other ethnic groups in Belize include Asians, East Indians, and expatriate Americans and Africans.

Belize's population is growing, with a rate of 2.5% per year. The country's low population density, diverse society, and variety of cultures and languages make it a unique and fascinating place.

Belize's name originates from the Mayan word belix

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America. The name "Belize" is derived from the Mayan word "belix" or "belikin", meaning "muddy water" or "land facing the sea", respectively. The earliest known record of the name was found in the journal of Dominican priest Fray José Delgado, dating back to 1677. The journal mentions three major rivers—Rio Soyte, Rio Kibum, and Rio Balis—which are now known as the Sittee River, Sibun River, and Belize River. It is believed that the name "Belize" originated from the Mayan word for "muddy water" or another Mayan phrase, "bel Itza", meaning "the way to Itza".

While the exact etymology of the name remains uncertain, various theories exist regarding its origin. One theory suggests that the name was derived from the Spanish pronunciation of the name of a Scottish buccaneer, Peter Wallace, who established a settlement at the mouth of the Belize River around 1638. Over time, the name "Wallace" evolved into "Vallis", "Balise", and eventually "Belize". Another theory speculates that the name may have come from the French word "balise", meaning beacon.

Belize has a rich history and a diverse cultural heritage, with influences from the Maya civilisation, European colonisation, and various ethnic groups from around the world. The country gained independence from British rule in 1981 and is now a proud member of the British Commonwealth, with a unique and captivating name that reflects its multicultural past.

Belize's economy relies on tourism

Belize is a small country with a developing free-market economy. It has a rich variety of wildlife and ecosystems, including the largest coral reef in the Americas. Belize's economy relies on tourism, agriculture, and services.

Tourism is the most important source of foreign exchange in Belize, with the country's natural resources and ecosystems playing a key role in attracting tourists. Belize's natural capital includes the coast, the largest coral reef in the Americas, and an extensive mangrove ecosystem. The country's diverse ecology, ancient Mayan ruins, and safe waters for boating, scuba diving, and snorkelling are all factors that contribute to the thriving tourism and ecotourism industries.

The Belizean government has designated tourism as its second development priority after agriculture. In 2012, tourist arrivals totalled 917,869, with tourist receipts amounting to over $1.3 billion. In 2011, the travel and tourism industry directly contributed 350.6 million BZD (176 million USD) to Belize's GDP (12.0% of GDP). This contribution included revenue from hotels, restaurants, leisure industries, travel agents, airlines, and other transportation services. The total contribution to GDP, including wider effects such as investment, supply chain, and induced income impacts, was 971.9 million BZD (486 million USD) (33.2% of GDP).

Tourism is a major source of employment in Belize, with the industry directly generating 14,500 jobs in 2011 (10.9% of total employment). When including indirect and induced effects, the tourism sector supported 40,000 jobs (30.1% of total employment).

While agriculture and services are also important sectors in Belize's economy, tourism stands out as a key driver of foreign exchange, employment, and overall economic growth. The country's unique natural and cultural offerings make it a desirable destination for international visitors, contributing significantly to Belize's economic development and prosperity.

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