LOCATION
Belize, formally British Honduras, is a former British Colony and is situated on the East Coast of Central America between Mexico and Guatemala. The country became a British Colony in 1862 and then gained its independence from Britain in 1981. It is still a member of the British Commonwealth.

ECONOMY AND GEOGRAPHICS
Belize is the only country in Central and South America that has English as its first language and there is a literacy rate of over 90%.

It has a multi ethnic population over 350,000. This population consists of descendants of the original Maya culture, Caribbean, Caucasian, Chinese and East Indian.

It has a sub tropical climate with the topography ranging from coastal plains through savannah type vegetation to rain forest in the mountainous western area that borders Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.

Agriculture constitutes the major economic activity. This is based on sugar, citrus and banana exports. Tourism and Eco-Tourism are also continuously on the rise and the financial sector is growing rapidly and is achieving a solid reputation.

The seat of Government is in the capital, Belmopan, whereas the business centre is Belize City.