"BRIDGE TO DESTINY BELIZE"

"Giving HOPE and HELP to the Youth of Belize to DISCOVER their DESTINY in Life"

BELIZE DEMOGRAPHICS

Geographical Features:

Belize is a small country about the size of New Hampshire and is located in Central America just East and

North of Guatemala and South of Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula.  It covers 8,867 square miles just 101

square miles smaller than New Hampshire which is 8,968 sq miles.  It is 174 miles from North to South and

just 68 miles wide East to West, at its widest point.   The entire East Coast is located on the Caribbean Sea.

The subtropical climate has an annual mean temperature of 79 degrees and an average humidity of 85 per

cent.  The annual rainfall ranges from 50 inches in the north to 170 inches in the south.  Hurricanes may

occur from June to November.

Belize has the second longest Barrier Reef in the world at 180 miles long along the East and South Coastline.

The highest point is Victoria Peak at 3,680 feet. 

Political Features:

The capital city of Belmopan was established in 1970 after a major hurricane destroyed most of Belize City, the

capital at that time.  Belize City and Belmopan are the only cities in Belize.  The country is divided into

six (6) districts, much like the states in the United States.  There  are seven (7) towns: Corozal,

Orange Walk, San Pedro, Benque Viejo, Dangriga, Punta Gorda, and the twin towns of

San Ignacio/Santa Elena.  The rest of the populated areas are villages.  Most of the

villages do not have paved roads, public water, or public utilities.

The population is around 300,000 with a population density of 33.8 people per square mile. 

The major industries are sugar, citrus, bananas, tourism, and marine products.

Belize was formerly a British colony, known as British Honduras.  They gained their independence

in 1981.  It has a parliamentary democracy form of government based  on the Westminster

System.  Its main political parties are the red and blue parties.

The United States and Mexico are the only countries that currently have Foreign Embassies in  Belize,

which are located in Belmopan.  The only commercial airport is located in Belize City, approximately

an hour drive from Belmopan.

Culture:

While English is the official language, Creole and Spanish can also be heard, along with Garinagu and

Maya as well as German, Chinese and others.

Due to its location in Central America, it is made up of an Ethnic mix of Creole, Mestizo, Maya, Mennonite,

Europeans, North and Central Americans, Chinese,  Lebanese, and Eastern Indians.

Currency:

The country as a whole is very poor, with a medium income around $50.00 USD per week.  The Belizean

Dollar (BD) is tied to the US Dollar (USD) and has an exchange rate of $1.00 USD to $2.00 Belizean

Dollars (BD).  The Belizean Government sets the price of gasoline, which is currently around $10.00

BD per gallon.  Due to the low family income the children of Belize suffer and at times may only

have one meal per day. 

Bridge to Destiny Belize

Formerly "Ministries of Destiny Belize"