22,965 sq km (8867 sq miles).

10.0 per sq km.

Belmopan

6785 (1997). Belize City (the former capital) has a population of 53,915.

Belize is situated at the base of the Yucatán Peninsula in Central America and borders Mexico and Guatemala, with the Caribbean Sea to the east. The country's area includes numerous small islands (Cayes) off the coast. The coastal strip is low and swampy, particularly in the north, with mangroves, many salt and freshwater lagoons and some sandy beaches crossed by a number of rivers. To the south and west rises the heavily forested Maya mountain range, with the Cockscomb range to the east and the Mountain Pine Ridge in the west. Over 65% of the area of the country is forested. The land to the west along the borders with Guatemala is open and relatively scenic compared to much of the interior. The shallow offshore Cayes straddle a coral reef second only in size to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1981. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II represented locally by Governor-General Colville Young since 1993. Head of Government: Prime Minister Said Musa since 1998.

English is the official language, but Spanish is spoken by over half the population.

The people of Belize are mainly Roman Catholic (approximately 60% of the population). Other denominations include Anglican, Methodist, Mennonite, Seventh Day Adventist and Pentecostal.

GMT - 6.

110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style 2-pin plugs.