| Belize
is a small nation on the eastern coast of Central America. It is located on the
Caribbean Sea bordered by Mexico to the northwest and Guatemala to the
west and south. The country is actually a parliamentary democracy and
constitutional monarchy which recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as Sovereign.
The nation of Honduras lies 75 km away (47 mi) across the Gulf of Honduras
to the east. The name Belize is derived from the Belize River, after which Belize
City, the former capital and largest city, is also named. The only
English-speaking country in Central America, Belize was a British colony
for more than a century and was known as British Honduras until 1973. It
became an independent nation in 1981. Belize is a member of Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) and the Sistema de Integracion Centro Americana (SICA)
and considers itself to be culturally both Caribbean, and Central
American. |
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