The
following are the main facts. For more background, we recommend
the Belize section of Lonely Planet Online (www.lonelyplanet.com).
Full
country name:
Belize
Government:
Belize
is a parliamentary democracy and has been an Independent
nation since 1981.It is a member of British Commonwealth of Nations.
Prime
Minister :
Said
Musa (took office August 27 1998)
Currency:
The
local
currency is the Belize Dollar though the US dollar may also
be used
Payment
and credit cards:
The
majority of hotels, shops and restaurants accept major credit
cards.It is less
likely that remote establishments and street vendors will.Traveller checks and US dollars are accepted almost everywhere.
Exchange
rate:
One
U.S. dollar is worth BZ$2.
Size:
23,300
sq km (9087 sq mi)
Population:
200,000
(growth rate 3.5%)
People:
30%Creoles
(African-European), 40% Mestizo (Spanish-Indian), 10% Garifuna
(African-Indian), 10% Mayan, Anglo-European, Middle Eastern
and Asian(plus a sizable migrant population from nearby countries,
notably El Salvador)
Capital
city:
Belmopan
(pop 5,000)
Religion:
62%
Catholic, 25% Protestant
Local
time:
Belize
is in the Central Standard Time zone, and does not utilize daylight
saving time
Languages:
English,
Creole, Spanish, Maya and Garífuna
Taxes:
A
departure tax of $11.25 US is charged when leaving Belize; this
must be paid in cash or travellers' checks (sorry, but credit
cards are not accepted). A $.75 US security fee is charged for
travellers entering Belize International and connecting to in-country
flights.There
is a 7% hotel tax. It
is suggested that you inquire about the 10 to 15% service charge
that some hotels like to use when checking hotel prices.And applied to all goods and services excluding the hotel,
is the sales tax which is set at 8%.
GDP:
US$575
million
Major
industries:
Sugar
cane, fish, timber
Major trading partners:
USA,
UK, Europe
Electricity:
110
volts AC
Weights
& measures:
Metric
Visas
& Passports:
To
enter Belize a passport and return ticket is required. No visas
are required for citizens of the U.S., British Commonwealth
nations, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Italy,
Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia,
Turkey and Uruguay.
Departure:
It
is highly recommended that you confirm your return flight 72
hours before your departure.Although not essential, it is better to arrive at least
2 hours before the departure time.
Geography:
Extending
almost the entire length of the country,the inner coastal
waters are shallow,dotted with islets called 'cayes', and are
sheltered by a line of coral reefs.A low coastal plain covered mostly by mangrove swamp
eventually rises giving way to the interior.The most apparent feature of the southern half of the
country is the Maya Mountains and the Cockscomb Range.The highest point is Doyle Delight rising 1124 meter
above the sea level.The
district of Cayo to the west includes the Mountain Pine Ridge.The north is criss-crossed with rivers.Most of the mainland is covered in rich forest.
Weather:
Possessing
a subtropical climate, Belize has a annual temperature with
a mean of 80 degrees F: Winds along the coast keeping the temperatures
reasonable accept around mid-august through mid-September. The
rainy season lasts from June to November and the Dry season
usually last from November to May.Hurricanes occasionally hit but usually between August
and September
Security:
Most
crimes including mugging, robbery, and pick pocketing are a
problem and usually increase around Christmas.There are few crimes reported against tourist on resorts.It is recommended by the United States Government that
you keep away from the water taxis because apparently they do
not have proper safety equipment.
Health:
The
tap water is drinkable with no ill effects because most Belizean
homes and hotels use cisterns to collect rainwater for drinking
and home use. In severe droughts, cisterns may run dry, making
bottled water advisable.If you are travelling in rural areas, including forest
preserves, offshore islands, and tourist resorts you could be
at risk for malaria. There is no risk in central coastal District
of Belize.If you
are travelling in any of these areas or have been within a year
and experience flu like symptoms or a fever seek immediate medical
attention and inform your doctor of your travel history.Check with your doctor about prevention of malaria or
go to the CDC link below. If you need any vaccinations see your
doctor 4-6 weeks before your departure to allow the vaccinations
to take effect. Check
with a local health official at least two week prior to departure.To avoid getting sick we recommend that you follow the
CDC's,
"Centers for Disease Control and Prevention", recommendations
below.
Don’t
eat food purchased from street vendors.
Don’t
drink beverages with ice.
Don’t
eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurised.
Don’t
share needles with anyone.
Don’t
handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to
avoid bites and serious diseases.
Don’t
swim in fresh water. Salt water is usually safer.
There
are 145 species of mammals, around 543 species of birds, and
about 139 species of reptiles.These include such creatures as the Manatee, Scarlet
Macaw Iguana, Margay, Toucan, Kinkajou and Coral snake.About 70 % of the country has some sort of forest cover.
There
are approx. 4000 flowering plants and 700 trees.There are around 250 species of orchids.
Tipping:
Though
tipping is voluntary, it is recommended that tips of 10% are
acceptable and more if the service is exceptionally good.
Medical facilities:
Most
of the District towns and larger villages have hospitals.
There are private doctors and a well-staffed hospital in Belize
City.
Indicative
working hours:
Banks:
Monday
- Thursday 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Friday
8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. & 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Commerce
& Industry:
Monday
- Friday 8:00 A.M. to 12:00P.M. & 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Some businesses are open on Saturdays
Banks:
The
Belize Bank Limited:Market Square,
Belize City
