Belize vs. Guatemala
Introduction
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1862. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992 and the two countries are involved in an ongoing border dispute. Both nations have voted to send the dispute for final resolution to the International Court of Justice. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include the country's heavy foreign debt burden, high crime rates, high unemployment combined with a majority youth population, growing involvement in the Mexican and South American drug trade, and one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Central America. | The Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the internal conflict. |
Geography
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico | Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize |
| Geographic coordinates | 17 15 N, 88 45 W | 15 30 N, 90 15 W |
| Map references | Central America and the Caribbean | Central America and the Caribbean |
| Area | total: 22,966 sq km land: 22,806 sq km water: 160 sq km | total: 108,889 sq km land: 107,159 sq km water: 1,730 sq km |
| Area - comparative | slightly smaller than Massachusetts | slightly smaller than Pennsylvania |
| Land boundaries | total: 542 km border countries (2): Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 276 km | total: 1,667 km border countries (4): Belize 266 km, El Salvador 199 km, Honduras 244 km, Mexico 958 km |
| Coastline | 386 km | 400 km |
| Maritime claims | territorial 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 exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
| Climate | tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) | tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands |
| Terrain | flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south | two east-west trending mountain chains divide the country into three regions: the mountainous highlands, the Pacific coast south of mountains, and the vast northern Peten lowlands |
| Elevation extremes | highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,124 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m mean elevation: 173 m | highest point: Volcan Tajumulco (highest point in Central America) 4,220 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 759 m |
| Natural resources | arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower | petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower |
| Land use | agricultural land: 6.9% (2018 est.) arable land: 3.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 2.2% (2018 est.) forest: 60.6% (2018 est.) other: 32.5% (2018 est.) | agricultural land: 41.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 14.2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 8.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 18.2% (2018 est.) forest: 33.6% (2018 est.) other: 25.2% (2018 est.) |
| Irrigated land | 35 sq km (2012) | 3,375 sq km (2012) |
| Natural hazards | frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south) | numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms volcanism: significant volcanic activity in the Sierra Madre range; Santa Maria (3,772 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pacaya (2,552 m), which erupted in May 2010 causing an ashfall on Guatemala City and prompting evacuations, is one of the country's most active volcanoes with frequent eruptions since 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Acatenango, Almolonga, Atitlan, Fuego, and Tacana; see note 2 under "Geography - note" |
| Environment - current issues | deforestation; water pollution, including pollution of Belize's Barrier Reef System, from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; inability to properly dispose of solid waste | deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution |
| Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements | party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
| Geography - note | only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean | note 1: despite having both eastern and western coastlines (Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean respectively), there are no natural harbors on the west coast note 2: Guatemala is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire |
| Total renewable water resources | 21.734 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | 127.91 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Population distribution | approximately 25% to 30% of the population lives in the former capital, Belize City; over half of the overall population is rural; population density is slightly higher in the north and east | the vast majority of the populace resides in the southern half of the country, particularly in the mountainous regions; more than half of the population lives in rural areas |
Demographics
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 405,633 (July 2021 est.) | 17,422,821 (July 2021 est.) |
| Age structure | 0-14 years: 32.57% (male 66,454/female 63,700) 15-24 years: 19% (male 39,238/female 36,683) 25-54 years: 37.72% (male 73,440/female 77,300) 55-64 years: 6.18% (male 12,235/female 12,444) 65 years and over: 4.53% (male 8,781/female 9,323) (2020 est.) | 0-14 years: 33.68% (male 2,944,145/female 2,833,432) 15-24 years: 19.76% (male 1,705,730/female 1,683,546) 25-54 years: 36.45% (male 3,065,933/female 3,186,816) 55-64 years: 5.41% (male 431,417/female 496,743) 65 years and over: 4.7% (male 363,460/female 442,066) (2020 est.) |
| Median age | total: 23.9 years male: 23 years female: 24.8 years (2020 est.) | total: 23.2 years male: 22.6 years female: 23.8 years (2020 est.) |
| Population growth rate | 1.67% (2021 est.) | 1.62% (2021 est.) |
| Birth rate | 21.62 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 22.79 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Death rate | 3.99 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 4.94 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Net migration rate | -0.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) | -1.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Sex ratio | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2020 est.) | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2020 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate | total: 11.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) | total: 26.81 deaths/1,000 live births male: 30.23 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth | total population: 75.56 years male: 73.96 years female: 77.24 years (2021 est.) | total population: 72.63 years male: 70.59 years female: 74.77 years (2021 est.) |
| Total fertility rate | 2.66 children born/woman (2021 est.) | 2.67 children born/woman (2021 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate | 1.2% (2020 est.) | 0.2% (2020 est.) |
| Nationality | noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean | noun: Guatemalan(s) adjective: Guatemalan |
| Ethnic groups | Mestizo 52.9%, Creole 25.9%, Maya 11.3%, Garifuna 6.1%, East Indian 3.9%, Mennonite 3.6%, White 1.2%, Asian 1%, other 1.2%, unknown 0.3% (2010 est.) note: percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic origin | Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) 56%, Maya 41.7%, Xinca (Indigenous, non-Maya) 1.8%, African descent 0.2%, Garifuna (mixed West and Central African, Island Carib, and Arawak) 0.1%, foreign 0.2% (2018 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | 3,800 (2020 est.) | 33,000 (2020 est.) |
| Religions | Roman Catholic 40.1%, Protestant 31.5% (includes Pentecostal 8.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 4.7%, Mennonite 3.7%, Baptist 3.6%, Methodist 2.9%, Nazarene 2.8%), Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 10.5% (includes Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, Mormon, Muslim, Rastafarian, Salvation Army), unspecified 0.6%, none 15.5% (2010 est.) | Roman Catholic 41.7%, Evangelical 38.8%, other 2.7%, atheist 0.1%, none 13.8%, unspecified 2.9% (2018 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths | <200 (2020 est.) | 1,200 <1,000 (2020 est.) |
| Languages | English 62.9% (official), Spanish 56.6%, Creole 44.6%, Maya 10.5%, German 3.2%, Garifuna 2.9%, other 1.8%, unknown 0.3%, none 0.2% (cannot speak); note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2010 est.) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) | Spanish (official) 69.9%, Maya languages 29.7% (Q'eqchi' 8.3%, K'iche 7.8%, Mam 4.4%, Kaqchikel 3%, Q'anjob'al 1.2%, Poqomchi' 1%, other 4%), other 0.4% (includes Xinca and Garifuna); note - the 2003 Law of National Languages officially recognized 23 indigenous languages, including 21 Maya languages, Xinca, and Garifuna (2018 est.) major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. |
| School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) | total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2019) | total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2015) |
| Education expenditures | 7.6% of GDP (2018) | 3.2% of GDP (2019) |
| Urbanization | urban population: 46.2% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) | urban population: 52.2% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 2.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) |
| Drinking water source | improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 98.6% of population total: 99.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 1.4% of population total: 0.8% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 97.9% of population rural: 92.2% of population total: 95.2% of population unimproved: urban: 2.1% of population rural: 7.8% of population total: 4.8% of population (2017 est.) |
| Sanitation facility access | improved: urban: 98.8% of population rural: 95.3% of population total: 96.9% of population unimproved: urban: 1.2% of population rural: 4.7% of population total: 3.1% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 91.4% of population rural: 61.7% of population total: 76.7% of population unimproved: urban: 8.6% of population rural: 38.3% of population total: 23.3% of population (2017 est.) |
| Major cities - population | 23,000 BELMOPAN (capital) (2018) | 2.983 million GUATEMALA CITY (capital) (2021) |
| Maternal mortality rate | 36 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) | 95 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) |
| Children under the age of 5 years underweight | 4.6% (2015/16) | 12.4% (2014/15) |
| Health expenditures | 5.7% (2018) | 5.7% (2018) |
| Physicians density | 1.12 physicians/1,000 population (2017) | 0.36 physicians/1,000 population (2018) |
| Hospital bed density | 1 beds/1,000 population (2017) | 0.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) |
| Obesity - adult prevalence rate | 24.1% (2016) | 21.2% (2016) |
| Demographic profile | Migration continues to transform Belize's population. About 16% of Belizeans live abroad, while immigrants constitute approximately 15% of Belize's population. Belizeans seeking job and educational opportunities have preferred to emigrate to the United States rather than former colonizer Great Britain because of the United States' closer proximity and stronger trade ties with Belize. Belizeans also emigrate to Canada, Mexico, and English-speaking Caribbean countries. The emigration of a large share of Creoles (Afro-Belizeans) and the influx of Central American immigrants, mainly Guatemalans, Salvadorans, and Hondurans, has changed Belize's ethnic composition. Mestizos have become the largest ethnic group, and Belize now has more native Spanish speakers than English or Creole speakers, despite English being the official language. In addition, Central American immigrants are establishing new communities in rural areas, which contrasts with the urbanization trend seen in neighboring countries. Recently, Chinese, European, and North American immigrants have become more frequent. Immigration accounts for an increasing share of Belize's population growth rate, which is steadily falling due to fertility decline. Belize's declining birth rate and its increased life expectancy are creating an aging population. As the elderly population grows and nuclear families replace extended households, Belize's government will be challenged to balance a rising demand for pensions, social services, and healthcare for its senior citizens with the need to reduce poverty and social inequality and to improve sanitation. | Guatemala is a predominantly poor country that struggles in several areas of health and development, including infant, child, and maternal mortality, malnutrition, literacy, and contraceptive awareness and use. The country's large indigenous population is disproportionately affected. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America and has the highest fertility rate in Latin America. It also has the highest population growth rate in Latin America, which is likely to continue because of its large reproductive-age population and high birth rate. Almost half of Guatemala's population is under age 19, making it the youngest population in Latin America. Guatemala's total fertility rate has slowly declined during the last few decades due in part to limited government-funded health programs. However, the birth rate is still more close to three children per woman and is markedly higher among its rural and indigenous populations. Guatemalans have a history of emigrating legally and illegally to Mexico, the United States, and Canada because of a lack of economic opportunity, political instability, and natural disasters. Emigration, primarily to the United States, escalated during the 1960 to 1996 civil war and accelerated after a peace agreement was signed. Thousands of Guatemalans who fled to Mexico returned after the war, but labor migration to southern Mexico continues. |
| Contraceptive prevalence rate | 51.4% (2015/16) | 60.6% (2014/15) |
| Dependency ratios | total dependency ratio: 52 youth dependency ratio: 44.4 elderly dependency ratio: 7.6 potential support ratio: 13.1 (2020 est.) | total dependency ratio: 62.3 youth dependency ratio: 54.1 elderly dependency ratio: 8.2 potential support ratio: 12.2 (2020 est.) |
Government
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Country name | conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras etymology: may be named for the Belize River, whose name possibly derives from the Maya word "belix," meaning "muddy-watered" | conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala conventional short form: Guatemala local long form: Republica de Guatemala local short form: Guatemala etymology: the Spanish conquistadors used many native Americans as allies in their conquest of Guatemala; the site of their first capital (established in 1524), a former Maya settlement, was called "Quauhtemallan" by their Nahuatl-speaking Mexican allies, a name that means "land of trees" or "forested land", but which the Spanish pronounced "Guatemala"; the Spanish applied that name to a re founded capital city three years later and eventually it became the name of the country |
| Government type | parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm | presidential republic |
| Capital | name: Belmopan geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the decision to move the capital of the country inland to higher and more stable land was made in the 1960s; the name chosen for the new city was formed from the union of two words: "Belize," the name of the longest river in the country, and "Mopan," one of the rivers in the area of the new capital that empties into the Belize River | name: Guatemala City geographic coordinates: 14 37 N, 90 31 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the Spanish conquistadors used many native Americans as allies in their conquest of Guatemala; the site of their first capital (established in 1524), a former Maya settlement, was called "Quauhtemallan" by their Nahuatl-speaking Mexican allies, a name that means "land of trees" or "forested land", but which the Spanish pronounced "Guatemala"; the Spanish applied that name to a re founded capital city three years later and eventually it became the name of the country |
| Administrative divisions | 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo | 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa |
| Independence | 21 September 1981 (from the UK) | 15 September 1821 (from Spain) |
| National holiday | Battle of St. George's Caye Day (National Day), 10 September (1798); Independence Day, 21 September (1981) | Independence Day, 15 September (1821) |
| Constitution | history: previous 1954, 1963 (preindependence); latest signed and entered into force 21 September 1981 amendments: proposed and adopted by two-thirds majority vote of the National Assembly House of Representatives except for amendments relating to rights and freedoms, changes to the Assembly, and to elections and judiciary matters, which require at least three-quarters majority vote of the House; both types of amendments require assent of the governor general; amended several times, last in 2017 | history: several previous; latest adopted 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; suspended and reinstated in 1994 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic, by agreement of 10 or more deputies of Congress, by the Constitutional Court, or by public petition of at least 5,000 citizens; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Congress membership and approval by public referendum, referred to as "popular consultation"; constitutional articles such as national sovereignty, the republican form of government, limitations on those seeking the presidency, or presidential tenure cannot be amended; amended 1993 |
| Legal system | English common law | civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts |
| Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | 18 years of age; universal; note - active duty members of the armed forces and police by law cannot vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day |
| Executive branch | chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Froyla TZALAM (since 27 May 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Juan Antonio BRICENO (since 12 November 2020); Deputy Prime Minister Cordel HYDE (since 16 November 2020) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among members of the National Assembly elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister | chief of state: President Alejandro GIAMMATTEI (since 14 January 2020); Vice President Cesar Guillermo CASTILLO Reyes (since 14 January 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alejandro GIAMMATTEI (since 14 January 2020); Vice President Cesar Guillermo CASTILLO Reyes (since 14 January 2020) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (not eligible for consecutive terms); election last held on 16 June 2019 with a runoff on 11 August 2019 (next to be held in June 2023) election results: 2019: Alejandro GIAMMATTEI elected president; percent of vote in first round - Sandra TORRES (UNE) 25.54%, Alejandro GIAMMATTEI (VAMOS) 13.95%, Edmond MULET (PHG) 11.21%, Thelma CABRERA (MLP) 10.37%, Roberto ARZU (PAN-PODEMOS) 6.08%; percent of vote in second round - Alejandro GIAMMATTEI (VAMOS) 58%, Sandra TORRES (UNE) 42% 2015: Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera (FNC) 23.9%, Sandra TORRES (UNE) 19.8%, Manuel BALDIZON (LIDER) 19.6%, other 36.7%; percent of vote in second round - Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera 67.4%, Sandra TORRES 32.6% |
| Legislative branch | description: bicameral National Assembly consists of: Senate (14 seats, including the president); members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, non-governmental organizations in good standing, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; Senate president elected from among the Senate members or from outside the Senate; members serve 5-year terms House of Representatives (31 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last appointed 11 November 2020 (next appointments in November 2025) House of Representatives - last held on 11 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2025) election results: Senate - all members appointed; composition - men 9, women 5, percent of women 35.7% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PUP 59.6%, UDP 38.8%, other 1.6%; seats by party - PUP 26, UDP 5; composition - men 27, women 4, percent of women 12.9%; note - total percent of women in the National Assembly 20% | description: unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (160 seats; 128 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies in the country's 22 departments and 32 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed party-list proportional representation vote, using the D'Hondt method; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 16 June 2019 (next to be held on June 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UNE 53, VAMOS 16, UCN 12, VALOR 9, BIEN 8, FCN-NACION 8, SEMILLA 7, TODOS 7, VIVA 7, CREO 6, PHG 6, VICTORIA 4, Winaq 4, PC 3, PU 3, URNG 3, PAN 2, MLP 1, PODEMOS 1; composition - men 129, women 31, percent of women 19.4% |
| Judicial branch | highest courts: Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 10 justices); note - in 2010, Belize acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor-general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader; other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75; in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts; Family Court | highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 13 magistrates, including the court president and organized into 3 chambers); note - the court president also supervises trial judges countrywide; Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitucionalidad (consists of 5 titular magistrates and 5 substitute magistrates) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court magistrates elected by the Congress of the Republic from candidates proposed by the Postulation Committee, an independent body of deans of the country's university law schools, representatives of the country's law associations, and representatives of the Courts of Appeal; magistrates elected for concurrent, renewable 5-year terms; Constitutional Court judges - 1 elected by the Congress of the Republic, 1 by the Supreme Court, 1 by the president of the republic, 1 by the (public) University of San Carlos, and 1 by the Assembly of the College of Attorneys and Notaries; judges elected for renewable, consecutive 5-year terms; the presidency of the court rotates among the magistrates for a single 1-year term subordinate courts: numerous first instance and appellate courts |
| Political parties and leaders | Belize Progressive Party or BPP [Patrick ROGERS] (formed in 2015 from a merger of the People's National Party, elements of the Vision Inspired by the People, and other smaller political groups) People's United Party or PUP [Johnny BRICENO] United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean Oliver BARROW] Vision Inspired by the People or VIP [Hubert ENRIQUEZ] | Bienestar Nacional or BIEN [Alfonso PORTILLO and Evelyn MORATAYA] Citizen Alliance or AC Citizen Prosperity or PC [Dami Anita Elizabeth KRISTENSON Sales] Commitment, Renewal, and Order or CREO [Roberto GONZALEZ Diaz-Duran] Convergence [Sandra MORAN] Encounter for Guatemala or EG [Nineth MONTENEGRO Cottom] Everyone Together for Guatemala or TODOS [Felipe ALEJOS] Force or FUERZA [Mauricio RADFORD] Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG-MAIZ or URNG [Gregorio CHAY Laynez] Humanist Party of Guatemala or PHG [Edmond MULET] Movement for the Liberation of Peoples or MLP [Thelma CABRERA] Movimiento Semilla or SEMILLA [Thelma ALDANA] National Advancement Party or PAN [Harald JOHANNESSEN] National Convergence Front or FCN-NACION or FCN [Jimmy MORALES] National Unity for Hope or UNE [Sandra TORRES] Nationalist Change Union or UCN [Mario ESTRADA] Patriotic Party or PP PODEMOS [Jose Raul VIRGIL Arias] Political Movement Winaq or Winaq [Sonia GUTIERREZ Raguay] Reform Movement or MR Renewed Democratic Liberty or LIDER (dissolved mid-February 2016) TODOS [Felipe ALEJOS] Unionista Party or PU [Alvaro ARZU Escobar] Value or VALOR [Zury RIOS] Vamos por una Guatemala Diferente or VAMOS [Alejandro GIAMMATTEI] Victory or VICTORIA [Amilcar RIVERA] Vision with Values or VIVA [Armando Damian CASTILLO Alvarado] note: parties represented in the last election, but have since dissolved - FCN (2017), LIDER (2016), and PP (2017) |
| International organization participation | ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO | BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Lynn Raymond YOUNG (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008-2826 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 email address and website: reception.usa@mfa.gov.bz https://www.belizeembassyusa.mfa.gov.bz/ consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York (consular services temporarily suspended beginning 18 December 2020) consulate(s): Miami | chief of mission: Ambassador Alfonso Jose QUINONEZ LEMUS (since 17 July 2020) chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-4953 FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908 email address and website: infoembaguateeuu@minex.gob.gt consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Del Rio (TX), Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, McAllen (TX), Miami, New York, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Providence (RI), Raleigh (NC), San Bernardino (CA), San Francisco, Seattle consulate(s): Lake Worth (FL), Silver Spring (MD), Tucson (AZ) |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Leyla MOSES-ONES(since August 2021) embassy: Floral Park Road, Belmopan, Cayo mailing address: 3050 Belmopan Place, Washington DC 20521-3050 telephone: (501) 822-4011 FAX: (501) 822-4012 email address and website: ACSBelize@state.gov https://bz.usembassy.gov/ | chief of mission: Ambassador William W. POPP (since 13 August 2020) embassy: Avenida Reforma 7-01, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: 3190 Guatemala Place, Washington DC 20521-3190 telephone: [502] 2326-4000 FAX: [502] 2326-4654 email address and website: AmCitsGuatemala@state.gov https://gt.usembassy.gov/ |
| Flag description | royal blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland of 50 mahogany leaves; the colors are those of the two main political parties: blue for the PUP and red for the UDP; various elements of the coat of arms - the figures, the tools, the mahogany tree, and the garland of leaves - recall the logging industry that led to British settlement of Belize note: Belize's flag is the only national flag that depicts human beings; two British overseas territories, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands, also depict humans | three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue, with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) representing liberty and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles signifying Guatemala's willingness to defend itself and a pair of crossed swords representing honor and framed by a laurel wreath symbolizing victory; the blue bands represent the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea; the white band denotes peace and purity note: one of only two national flags featuring a firearm, the other is Mozambique |
| National anthem | name: Land of the Free lyrics/music: Samuel Alfred HAYNES/Selwyn Walford YOUNG note: adopted 1981; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom) | name: "Himno Nacional de Guatemala" (National Anthem of Guatemala) lyrics/music: Jose Joaquin PALMA/Rafael Alvarez OVALLE note: adopted 1897, modified lyrics adopted 1934; Cuban poet Jose Joaquin PALMA anonymously submitted lyrics to a public contest calling for a national anthem; his authorship was not discovered until 1911 |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| National symbol(s) | Baird's tapir (a large, browsing, forest-dwelling mammal), keel-billed toucan, Black Orchid; national colors: red, blue | quetzal (bird); national colors: blue, white |
| Citizenship | citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years | citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years with no absences of six consecutive months or longer or absences totaling more than a year |
Economy
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Economy - overview | Tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner in this small economy, followed by exports of sugar, bananas, citrus, marine products, and crude oil. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2007, but GPD growth has averaged only 2.1% from 2007-2016, with 2.5% growth estimated for 2017. Belize's dependence on energy imports makes it susceptible to energy price shocks. Although Belize has the third highest per capita income in Central America, the average income figure masks a huge income disparity between rich and poor, and a key government objective remains reducing poverty and inequality with the help of international donors. High unemployment, a growing trade deficit and heavy foreign debt burden continue to be major concerns. Belize faces continued pressure from rising sovereign debt, and a growing trade imbalance. | Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America with a GDP per capita roughly half the average for Latin America and the Caribbean. The agricultural sector accounts for 13.5% of GDP and 31% of the labor force; key agricultural exports include sugar, coffee, bananas, and vegetables. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemala's large expatriate community in the US. These inflows are a primary source of foreign income, equivalent to two-thirds of the country's exports and about a tenth of its GDP. The 1996 peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, and Guatemala has since pursued important reforms and macroeconomic stabilization. The Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) entered into force in July 2006, spurring increased investment and diversification of exports, with the largest increases in ethanol and non-traditional agricultural exports. While CAFTA-DR has helped improve the investment climate, concerns over security, the lack of skilled workers, and poor infrastructure continue to hamper foreign direct investment. The distribution of income remains highly unequal with the richest 20% of the population accounting for more than 51% of Guatemala's overall consumption. More than half of the population is below the national poverty line, and 23% of the population lives in extreme poverty. Poverty among indigenous groups, which make up more than 40% of the population, averages 79%, with 40% of the indigenous population living in extreme poverty. Nearly one-half of Guatemala's children under age five are chronically malnourished, one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world. |
| GDP (purchasing power parity) | $2.734 billion (2019 est.) $2.726 billion (2018 est.) $2.671 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars | $143.416 billion (2019 est.) $138.106 billion (2018 est.) $133.804 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars |
| GDP - real growth rate | 0.8% (2017 est.) -0.5% (2016 est.) 3.8% (2015 est.) | 2.8% (2017 est.) 3.1% (2016 est.) 4.1% (2015 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | $7,005 (2019 est.) $7,118 (2018 est.) $7,109 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars | $8,637 (2019 est.) $8,448 (2018 est.) $8,317 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars |
| GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 10.3% (2017 est.) industry: 21.6% (2017 est.) services: 68% (2017 est.) | agriculture: 13.3% (2017 est.) industry: 23.4% (2017 est.) services: 63.2% (2017 est.) |
| Population below poverty line | 41% (2013 est.) | 59.3% (2014 est.) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA | lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 38.4% (2014) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 1.1% (2017 est.) 0.7% (2016 est.) | 3.7% (2019 est.) 3.7% (2018 est.) 4.4% (2017 est.) |
| Labor force | 120,500 (2008 est.) note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel | 6.664 million (2017 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation | agriculture: 10.2% industry: 18.1% services: 71.7% (2007 est.) | agriculture: 31.4% industry: 12.8% services: 55.8% (2017 est.) |
| Unemployment rate | 9% (2017 est.) 8% (2016 est.) | 2.3% (2017 est.) 2.4% (2016 est.) |
| Budget | revenues: 553.5 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 572 million (2017 est.) | revenues: 8.164 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 9.156 billion (2017 est.) |
| Industries | garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil | sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism |
| Industrial production growth rate | -0.6% (2017 est.) | 1.8% (2017 est.) |
| Agriculture - products | sugar care, oranges, bananas, maize, poultry, rice, sorghum, papayas, grapefruit, soybeans | sugar cane, bananas, oil palm fruit, maize, melons, potatoes, milk, plantains, pineapples, rubber |
| Exports | $457.5 million (2017 est.) $442.7 million (2016 est.) | $11.12 billion (2017 est.) $10.58 billion (2016 est.) |
| Exports - commodities | raw sugar, bananas, fruit juice, fish products, crude petroleum (2019) | bananas, raw sugar, coffee, cardamom, palm oil (2019) |
| Exports - partners | United Kingdom 27%, United States 24%, Spain 6%, Jamaica 5%, Ireland 5% (2019) | United States 33%, El Salvador 12%, Honduras 8%, Mexico 5%, Nicaragua 5% (2019) |
| Imports | $845.9 million (2017 est.) $916.2 million (2016 est.) | $17.11 billion (2017 est.) $15.77 billion (2016 est.) |
| Imports - commodities | refined petroleum, cigarettes, recreational boats, natural gas, cars (2019) | refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines, cars, delivery trucks (2019) |
| Imports - partners | United States 36%, China 13%, Mexico 12%, Guatemala 10% (2019) | United States 36%, China 12%, Mexico 11%, El Salvador 5% (2019) |
| Debt - external | $1.315 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.338 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $22.92 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $21.45 billion (31 December 2016 est.) |
| Exchange rates | Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2017 est.) 2 (2016 est.) 2 (2015 est.) 2 (2014 est.) 2 (2013 est.) | quetzales (GTQ) per US dollar - 7.323 (2017 est.) 7.5999 (2016 est.) 7.5999 (2015 est.) 7.6548 (2014 est.) 7.7322 (2013 est.) |
| Fiscal year | 1 April - 31 March | calendar year |
| Public debt | 99% of GDP (2017 est.) 95.9% of GDP (2016 est.) | 24.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 24.5% of GDP (2016 est.) |
| Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | $312.1 million (31 December 2017 est.) $376.7 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $11.77 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $9.156 billion (31 December 2016 est.) |
| Current Account Balance | -$143 million (2017 est.) -$163 million (2016 est.) | $1.134 billion (2017 est.) $1.023 billion (2016 est.) |
| GDP (official exchange rate) | $1.854 billion (2017 est.) | $76.678 billion (2019 est.) |
| Credit ratings | Moody's rating: Caa3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: CCC+ (2020) | Fitch rating: BB- (2020) Moody's rating: Ba1 (2010) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2017) |
| Ease of Doing Business Index scores | Overall score: 55.5 (2020) Starting a Business score: 72 (2020) Trading score: 68.2 (2020) Enforcement score: 50.1 (2020) | Overall score: 62.6 (2020) Starting a Business score: 86.8 (2020) Trading score: 77.2 (2020) Enforcement score: 34.5 (2020) |
| Taxes and other revenues | 29.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | 10.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | -1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | -1.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 | total: 15.3% male: 9.5% female: 24.8% (2017 est.) | total: 5% male: 3.7% female: 8.1% (2017 est.) |
| GDP - composition, by end use | household consumption: 75.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 49.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -63.2% (2017 est.) | household consumption: 86.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 9.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 12.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 18.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -26.9% (2017 est.) |
| Gross national saving | 10.1% of GDP (2019 est.) 8.5% of GDP (2018 est.) 10.8% of GDP (2017 est.) | 16.9% of GDP (2019 est.) 14.7% of GDP (2018 est.) 14.7% of GDP (2017 est.) |
Energy
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity - production | 280 million kWh (2016 est.) | 12.12 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - consumption | 453 million kWh (2016 est.) | 10.1 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - exports | 0 kWh (2016 est.) | 1.858 billion kWh (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - imports | 243 million kWh (2016 est.) | 747 million kWh (2016 est.) |
| Oil - production | 2,000 bbl/day (2018 est.) | 9,600 bbl/day (2018 est.) |
| Oil - imports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Oil - exports | 1,220 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 9,383 bbl/day (2017 est.) |
| Oil - proved reserves | 6.7 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.) | 83.07 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.) |
| Natural gas - proved reserves | 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | 2.96 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.) |
| Natural gas - production | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - consumption | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - exports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - imports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - installed generating capacity | 198,000 kW (2016 est.) | 4.605 million kW (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from fossil fuels | 51% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) | 41% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from hydroelectric plants | 27% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 31% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from nuclear fuels | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from other renewable sources | 22% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 28% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - production | 36 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 1,162 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - consumption | 4,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) | 89,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - exports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 10,810 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - imports | 4,161 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 97,900 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Electricity access | electrification - total population: 99.5% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 98.2% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 100% (2018) | electrification - total population: 92% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 85% (2019) |
Telecommunications
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Telephones - main lines in use | total subscriptions: 18,500 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4.72 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 1,974,006 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11.71 (2019 est.) |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | total subscriptions: 254,919 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 65.01 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 20,874,130 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 123.83 (2019 est.) |
| Internet country code | .bz | .gt |
| Internet users | total: 181,660 percent of population: 47.08% (July 2018 est.) | total: 10,777,827 percent of population: 65% (July 2018 est.) |
| Telecommunication systems | general assessment: Belize's fixed-line tele-density and mobile penetration is lower than average for the region, due to insufficient competition, underinvestment in services, and lax standards; mobile accounts for 90% of all phones; operator aims to provide cheaper prices and customer retention through investment in broadband to over 80% of premises and LTE infrastructure; operator launched safe cities project to fight crime; government distributed tablets to students to promote e-learning; submarine cable to Ambergris Caye enables FttP service in San Pedro; importer of broadcast equipment from the United States (2021) (2020) domestic: 5 per 100 fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 65 per 100 persons; mobile sector accounting for over 90% of all phone subscriptions (2019) international: country code - 501; landing points for the ARCOS and SEUL fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments | general assessment: due to years of underinvestment in infrastructure, has one of the lowest fixed-line tele densities in the region; rural areas rely on mobile services with little access to fixed-line access; mobile tele-density on par with region and is the most developed sector, with near universal phone connections; private investment to bring free Internet to parks; two submarine cables due for completion will support growth in fixed and mobile broadband (2021) (2020)domestic: fixed-line teledensity roughly 11 per 100 persons; fixed-line investments are concentrating on improving rural connectivity; mobile-cellular teledensity about 119 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 502; landing points for the ARCOS, AMX-1, American Movil-Texius West Coast Cable and the SAm-1 fiber-optic submarine cable system that, together, provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments |
| Broadband - fixed subscriptions | total: 29,600 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7.55 (2019 est.) | total: 506,000 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2017 est.) |
| Broadcast media | 8 privately owned TV stations; multi-channel cable TV provides access to foreign stations; about 25 radio stations broadcasting on roughly 50 different frequencies; state-run radio was privatized in 1998 (2019) | 4 privately owned national terrestrial TV channels dominate TV broadcasting; multi-channel satellite and cable services are available; 1 government-owned radio station and hundreds of privately owned radio stations (2019) |
Transportation
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Roadways | total: 3,281 km (2017) paved: 601 km (2017) unpaved: 2,680 km (2017) | total: 17,621 km (2016) paved: 7,489 km (2016) unpaved: 10,132 km (includes 4,960 km of rural roads) (2016) |
| Waterways | 825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2011) | 990 km (260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season) (2012) |
| Ports and terminals | major seaport(s): Belize City, Big Creek | major seaport(s): Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla |
| Merchant marine | total: 790 by type: bulk carrier 50, container ship 4, general cargo 401, oil tanker 67, other 268 (2020) | total: 8 by type: oil tanker 1, other 7 (2020) |
| Airports | total: 47 (2013) | total: 291 (2013) |
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 6 (2017) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2017) 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2017) under 914 m: 3 (2017) | total: 16 (2017) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2017) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2017) 914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2017) under 914 m: 4 (2017) |
| Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 41 (2013) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 11 (2013) under 914 m: 29 (2013) | total: 275 (2013) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 77 (2013) under 914 m: 195 (2013) |
| National air transport system | number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 28 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,297,533 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 3.78 million mt-km (2018) | number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 145,795 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 110,000 mt-km (2018) |
| Civil aircraft registration country code prefix | V3 | TG |
Military
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Military branches | Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, Air Wing; Belize Coast Guard (independent from the BDF, but under the Ministry of Defense) (2021) | Army of Guatemala (Ejercito de Guatemala): Land Forces (Fuerzas de Tierra), Naval Forces (Fuerza de Mar), and Air Force (Fuerza de Aire); Ministry of Interior: National Civil Police (Policia Nacional Civil; includes paramilitary units) (2021) |
| Military service age and obligation | 18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1; initial service obligation 12 years (2012) | all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 50 are eligible for military service; in practice, most of the force is volunteer, however, a selective draft system is employed, resulting in a small portion of 17-21 year-olds conscripted; conscript service obligation varies from 1 to 2 years; women can serve as officers (2019) |
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 1.2% of GDP (2019) 1.2% of GDP (2018) 1.3% of GDP (2017) 1.3% of GDP (2016) 1.2% of GDP (2015) | 0.4% of GDP (2019) 0.4% of GDP (2018) 0.4% of GDP (2017) 0.4% of GDP (2016) 0.4% of GDP (2015) |
| Military and security service personnel strengths | the Belize Defense Force (BDF) has approximately 1,300 active personnel; approximately 300 Belize Coast Guard (2021) | information varies; approximately 21,500 active personnel (19,000 Land Forces; 1,500 Naval Forces; 1,000 Air Forces); approximately 30,000 National Civil Police (2021) |
| Military equipment inventories and acquisitions | the BDF's inventory is limited and consists mostly of UK- and US-origin equipment (2020) | the Guatemalan military inventory is small and mostly comprised of older US equipment; since 2010, Guatemala has received small amounts of equipment from Canada, Colombia, Spain, Taiwan, and the US (2020) |
Transnational Issues
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Disputes - international | Guatemala persists in its territorial claim to approximately half of Belize, but agrees to the Line of Adjacency to keep Guatemalan squatters out of Belize's forested interior; both countries agreed in April 2012 to hold simultaneous referenda, scheduled for 6 October 2013, to decide whether to refer the dispute to the ICJ for binding resolution, but this vote was suspended indefinitely; Belize and Mexico are working to solve minor border demarcation discrepancies arising from inaccuracies in the 1898 border treaty | annual ministerial meetings under the Organization of American States-initiated Agreement on the Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures continue to address Guatemalan land and maritime claims in Belize and the Caribbean Sea; Guatemala persists in its territorial claim to half of Belize, but agrees to Line of Adjacency to keep Guatemalan squatters out of Belize's forested interior; both countries agreed in April 2012 to hold simultaneous referenda, scheduled for 6 October 2013, to decide whether to refer the dispute to the ICJ for binding resolution, but this vote was suspended indefinitely; Mexico must deal with thousands of impoverished Guatemalans and other Central Americans who cross the porous border looking for work in Mexico and the US |
| Illicit drugs | major transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis, primarily for local consumption; offshore sector money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and other crimes | major transit country for cocaine and heroin; it is estimated that 1,000 mt of cocaine are smuggled through the country each year, primarily destined for the US market; in 2016, the Guatamalan government estimated that an average of 4,500 hectares of opium poppy were being cultivated; marijuana cultivation for mostly domestic consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (particularly for cocaine); money laundering is a serious problem; corruption is a major problem |
Environment
| Belize | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Air pollutants | particulate matter emissions: 21.23 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 0.57 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.55 megatons (2020 est.) | particulate matter emissions: 23.59 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 16.78 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 10.7 megatons (2020 est.) |
| Total water withdrawal | municipal: 11.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 21.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 68.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) | municipal: 835 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 603.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.886 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Revenue from forest resources | forest revenues: 0.31% of GDP (2018 est.) | forest revenues: 0.78% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Revenue from coal | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Waste and recycling | municipal solid waste generated annually: 101,379 tons (2015 est.) | municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,756,741 tons (2015 est.) |
Source: CIA Factbook
