Belize's economic performance is highly susceptible to external market changes. Belize annual rainfall ranges from 60 inches (1524mm) in the north to 160 inches (4064mm) in the south. Belize also lays claim to hundreds of ancient Maya temples, large tracts of intact tropical rainforest, and this hemisphere's longest barrier reef. Belize continues to rely heavily on foreign trade, with the United States as its number-one trading partner.



Belize customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Belize of firearms. Belize City is one of the most dangerous cities in Belize, although it's very easy to be safe there. Belize is like no where else in the entire world and there isnothing with which to compare it.

Belize is truly a multi-cultural society with many different traditions living in harmony and wherever you go you will find the Belizean people friendly and hospitable. Belize is a small country of 8,867 square miles that sits on the northeastern coast of Central America. A less likely idea is that it derives from the Spanish pronunciation of the surname of the pirate who created the first settlement in Belize in 1638, Peter Wallace.

On February 8, 2008 Dean Barrow was sworn in as Belize's first black prime minister. Estimates have generally placed the number of the Belizean diaspora, consisting mainly of Kriols and Garinagu, at a number roughly equal to the current residents of Belize. To curb land speculation, the government enacted legislation in 1973 that requires non-Belizeans to complete a development plan on land they purchase before obtaining title to plots of more than 10 acres (40,000 m) of rural land or more than one-half acre (2,000 m) of urban land.

The onset of the rainy season begins in the early May in Toledo, (where the Belize annual rainfall is highest) progressing north to the Stann Creek, Belize, Cayo and Orange Walk District in late May, followed by Corozal District in early June. The executive authority of Belize is vested in the Queen of England as the Head of State, who appoints the Governor General to represent her in Belize. Safe and regular bus connections from Guatemala City are another reasonable and exciting way to get to Belize.

There are two major highways, the Western Highway which runs from Belize City to the Guatemalan Border and the Southern Highway Highway which starts in Belmopan and ends in the Stann Creek District. The southern part of Belize, with its watershed to the southeast from the Maya Mountains, consists of short rivers that rush through slopes combed with overhanging ledges and caves.