Cruising to BelizeBackgroundTerritorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increasing urban crime. GeographyLocation: Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between
Guatemala and Mexico Coastline386 km Maritime claimsTerritorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from
the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3
nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this
limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on
territorial differences with Guatemala ClimateTropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) TerrainFlat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south Elevation extremesLowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m EconomyIn this small, essentially private-enterprise economy the tourism industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 5% in 1999-2005. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors. TransportationAirports: 43 (2005) Merchant marineTotal: 302 ships (1000 GRT or over) 1,040,813 GRT/1,398,275 DWT Sailing Specifics: Ports and terminalsBelize City Other Sailing Destinations in the RegionArgentina - Belize - Brazil - Chile - Colombia - Costa Rica - Ecuador - El Salvador - French Guiana - Guatemala - Guyana - Honduras - Mexico - Nicaragua - Panama - Peru - St. Pierre and Miquelon - Suriname - Uruguay - Venezuela Further Reading |
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