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Belize is a Caribbean and Central American country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It also shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast. It has an area of 22,970 square kilometres (8,867 sq mi) and a population of 441,471 (2022). Its mainland is about 290 km (180 mi) long and 110 km (68 mi) wide. It is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America. Its population growth rate of 1.87% per year is the second-highest in the region and one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Its capital is Belmopan, and its largest city is the namesake city of Belize City. Belize is often thought of as a Caribbean country in Central America because it has a history similar to that of English-speaking Caribbean nations. Indeed, Belize’s institutions and official language reflect its history as a British colony.
Politics of Belize takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, whereby King Charles III serves as head of state and the prime minister is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of Belize.
The Belize Defence Force (BDF) is the military of Belize, and is responsible for protecting the sovereignty of the country. The BDF is under the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security, which is currently headed by Hon. Florencio Marin Jr.; the BDF itself is commanded by Brigadier General Azariel Loria. In 2012, the Belizean government spent about $17 million on the military, constituting 1.08% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
Noh Matta Wat! is a Belizean dramatic television series. It airs on Great Belize Television, Tropical Vision Limited, and Krem Television (cable).
General elections were held in Belize on 7 February 2008. Beginning with this election, Belizeans elected 31 members to the House of Representatives of Belize instead of 29. In what was considered an upset, the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) won the election with 25 out of 31 seats; the ruling People's United Party won six.
The Belize Coast Guard is the maritime security, search and rescue, and the maritime and law enforcement service branch of Belize.
The monarchy of Belize is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of Belize. The current Belizean monarch and head of state since 8 September 2022, is King Charles III. As sovereign, he is the personal embodiment of the Belizean Crown. Although the person of the sovereign is shared with 14 other independent countries within the Commonwealth of Nations, each country's monarchy is separate and legally distinct. As a result, the current monarch is officially titled Kingof Belize and, in this capacity, he and other members of the royal family undertake public and private functions as representatives of the Belizean state. However, the King is the only member of the royal family with any constitutional role.
Miss Belize is a national beauty pageant in Belize. The pageant was founded in 1975, where the winners were sent to Miss Universe.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Belize face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT citizens. Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized in Belize in 2016, when the Supreme Court declared Belize's anti-sodomy law unconstitutional. Belize's constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, which Belizean courts have interpreted to include sexual orientation.
Patrick Jason Faber is a Belizean politician. He was the Leader of the Opposition. He formerly served as Minister of Education, Youth Sports and Culture. In July 2020 he was appointed the leader of the United Democratic Party, after Prime Minister Dean Barrow stated his plans to retire at the end of his term.
Wilfred Peter "Sedi" Elrington is a Belizean politician who has been the Foreign Minister of Belize since 2008.
His Majesty's Government in Belize, also referred to as the Belizean Government is the democratic administrative authority of Belize, a constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. It was formed in 1981 after gaining sovereignty from the United Kingdom. The constitution is the supreme law of Belize.
The Belize Defence Force Air Wing is the aviation branch of the Belize Defence Force. Formed in 1983, it is based at the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville. The main tasks of the Air Wing are Reconnaissance, SAR, CASEVAC, aerial resupply and troop transport. Furthermore, they assist the police in drug interdiction and anti-smuggling operations, and can be called upon by the Maritime Wing.
Visitors to Belize require a visa unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries. All visitors are required to have sufficient funds, US$75 per day, and documents required for their next destination.
Marie Sharp's Fine Foods Ltd., better known as Marie Sharp's is a plant-based condiment and jam manufacturer based in the Stann Creek District of Belize, Central America. The women-owned company is named after its founder Marie Sharp and is highly regarded for its authentic Caribbean, carrot-based habanero pepper sauce recipe. Marie's Belizean habanero pepper (hot) sauces consistently rank among the world's tastiest and most beloved condiments.
Julio René AlvaradoRuano was a fourteen-year-old Guatemalan male who was killed in the Belize–Guatemala adjacency zone during an armed confrontation between the Belize Defence Force, Belizean park rangers, and Guatemalan farmers. The incident raised tensions between Belize and Guatemala, who have an ongoing border dispute since 1821. Belizean officials maintain that the Belize Defence Force acted in self-defence. However, the Guatemalan government claims the incident was a deliberate attack carried out by Belize's military. After the incident, the Organisation of American States agreed to investigate the death of Julio Alvarado at the request of both countries.
The Bophuthatswana Defence Force was established on 6 December 1977 from trainees of the South African Defence Force. It was the defence force of the Republic of Bophuthatswana, a nominally independent bantustan during the Apartheid era of South Africa.
The Commander of the Defence Force is the professional head of the Belize Defence Force. He is responsible for the administration and the operational control of the Belize Defence Force.
Debra Baptist-Estrada is Director of the Immigration Department in Belize. In 2016 she received the International Women of Courage Award. In 2019 she became the Director of the Immigration Department.
References
- ↑ "Derricia (Jael) Castillo-Salazar – Biography". Arc International. 13 March 2017. Archived from the original on 8 October 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ↑ "4 helicopter pilots and 13 maintenance personnel for BDF". The Guardian Belize. 6 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ↑ Flowers, Benjamin (19 June 2016). "LGBT groups hold meet and greet in Belize City". The Reporter Newspaper. Archived from the original on 20 June 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ↑ Humes, Aaron (3 August 2017). "For Belize LGBT's, Pride is Showing". News Five. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017.
- 1 2 "Faber Says No to LGBT Spin on Minister's Award". 7 Newsbelize. 8 November 2016. Archived from the original on 10 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ↑ "Education Minister Reconciled With Derrica Castillo". 7 Newsbelize. 9 November 2016. Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ↑ "U.S. Embassy Recognizes Outstanding Belizean Women". 3 April 2017. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.