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Kylah Ciego
Andrew J. Munnings
Date of Membership in CARICOM: 1 May 1974 - Learn more about membership in CARICOM
Also Known as:Mother Nature's Best Kept Secret
Status of Independence:Independent 1981/09/21
Area: 22,966 km2; 8,867 miles
Capital City: Belmopan
Population: 344,700 (2010)
Currency: Belizean Dollar (Bz$)
Highest National Award: The Queen's Award
GDP: EC$4,031Mn (2011)
GDP Growth: 2.3% p.a. 2009–13
GNI: US$1.6bn
GNI PC: US$4,660
GDP per Capita: EC$9.894 (2004)
1638 First recorded European settlement established
1798 Following victory over Spain in battle of St. George’s Cay, British rule confirmed
1862 Country officially became British colony known as British Honduras
1871 Crown colony system introduced. Ruled by Governor of Jamaica until 1884
1954 Universal Adult Suffrage
1973 Name changed to Belize after Mayan word ‘Beliz’, meaning muddy waters
1981Independence achieved. George Price, first Prime Ministe
Visit Government Portal: http://www.belize.gov.bz/
Connect on FacebookCARICOM Lead Head of Government for Justice and Governance
<• The 290 km (180.2 mls) Barrier reef is the longest in the western hemisphere and the second longest in the world • Belize is the center of the Maya empire, which flourished AD 300-600 •