Belize is a small country located on the northeastern coast of Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. It is the only country in Central America where English is the official language, reflecting its history as a former British colony known as British Honduras. The capital city is Belmopan, while Belize City is the largest urban center and main commercial hub. The country is known for its rich biodiversity, tropical rainforests, and the Belize Barrier Reef, which is part of the second-largest coral reef system in the world.
Belize gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981 and operates as a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth, with the British monarch as its head of state. Its economy relies heavily on tourism, agriculture, and marine resources. The country has a diverse population composed of Mestizo, Creole, Maya, Garifuna, and other communities, contributing to a vibrant cultural heritage. Despite its small size, Belize plays an important ecological and cultural role in the Caribbean and Central American region.
