BZ is the abbreviation for Belize, the 147th largest country in the world. Belize is a country located in Central America, bordering Caribbean Sea, Guatemala, and Mexico. Belmopan is the capital city of Belize. Other major cities include Belize City (population: 61,461), San Ignacio (population: 16,812), Orange Walk (population: 15,298), Belmopan (population: 13,381), Dangriga (population: 10,750), Corozal (population: 9,871), San Pedro Town (population: 8,418), Benque Viejo el Carmen (population: 7,092), Punta Gorda (population: 5,205), and Placencia (population: 4,300).
Country Profile
- Capital: Belmopan
- Language: English, Creole, Spanish
- Area: 22,966 km2
- Population: 398,050
- Currency: Belize dollar (BZD)
- Time zone: UTC−6
- Calling code: 501
- ISO 2-Letter Abbreviation: BZ
- UN 3-Letter Abbreviation: BLZ
- Internet TLD: .bz
- State Government Website: http://belize.gov.bz
List of Belize Acronyms
The most commonly used abbreviations about Belize are BZ which stands for Belize and BZD which means Belize dollar (Belize currency). In the following table, you can see all acronyms related to Belize, including abbreviations for airport, city, school, port, government, and etc.
Geography
Belize is a small state located in Central America on the southeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Norway is fourteen times larger than Belize. The northern part of the archipelago consists of marshy coastal areas and rainforests. To the south lies the low mountain range of the Mayan mountains. Here you will find the highest point of the archipelago, Victoria Peak, which is 1160 meters above sea level. On the coast of Belize lies the northern hemisphere’s largest coral reef, the Belize Barrier Reef, which from 2009 to 2018 was on UNESCO’s Endangered World Heritage List. Today, the government has temporarily halted the search for oil around the reef, and implemented protection against other threats.
History
Belize was originally part of the area of Mayan culture. The Mayans lived in the area when the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century. From 1638 British pirates settled in the area, built several colonies and eventually brought African slaves with them. Belize became a British colony in 1840, under the name British Honduras. The empire gained internal autonomy in 1964, and changed its name to Belize nine years later. Guatemala claimed the area, but Belize eventually succeeded in becoming independent in 1981. Guatemala agreed to recognize Belize only ten years later, but still believes that they own an area equivalent to half Belize.
Two political parties have alternated their power in the country; People’s United Party (PUP) and United Democratic Party (UDP). Throughout the 2000s, PUP ruled with Prime Minister Said Musa in the lead. Corruptionhas been a big problem. In the spring of 2005 there were large demonstrations and strikes. The reason was the IMF (the International Monetary Fund) ‘s advice to raise taxes and freeze the salaries of public employees. The corruption allegations against the PUP led to election victory for the UDP in 2008. UDP leader Dean Barrow became the country’s first dark-skinned prime minister. He transferred several companies, which Musa had privatized, back to state ownership and created a new police and security department linked to the defense. Such a department was created due to a growing problem of crime. When the parliamentary elections were held in 2012 and 2015, the UDP succeeded in retaining government power.
Society and politics
Belize has culturally more in common with Caribbean states than with its Central American neighbors. The Empire was Britain’s last colony in America. The country is a constitutional monarchy and is a member of the British Commonwealth, with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. The Queen’s Representative is a General Governor, who by law must be a Belizer. The executive is with the prime minister and the government. They are responsible to the National Assembly, which consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives elected.
The country has a problem of violent crime, as it is an intermediary for drug trafficking between South America and the United States. Belize is considered one of the most violent countries not at war. The island kingdom is also characterized by poverty. In southern parts of the country where the majority of the indigenous population lives, malnutrition is twice as high as in the country in general. Infant mortality has been declining in recent years, with several receiving help from midwives. The proportion of people infected with HIV/AIDS is among the highest in Latin America.
Economics and Commerce
Agriculture and tourism are the country’s most important sources of income. The service industry’s share of the country’s GDP is on the rise. Timber logs and exports have a long history on the island, something the British colonialists successfully carried out as early as the 17th century. The main export goods are sugar, bananas, citrus fruits, orange concentrate and clothing. Belize’s main trading partners are the United States, the United Kingdom and Mexico. The country’s export-based economy is highly dependent on the US economic situation and generally on world market prices. From the United States there are many luxury cruise ships and the number of tourists is increasing. The tourists come first and foremost to see the remains of the Mayan Indians’ settlements.
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