About Belize

Belize is a small nation on the eastern coast of Central America , on the Caribbean Sea bordered by Mexico to the northwest and Guatemala to the west and south. The country is 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 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.