|RNature and climate:|N More than 50% covered by forests. The greater part of the country a swampy lowland covered by rain forest. In the north a bushy plateau and in the south the Maya mountains that reach 1200 m.a.s.l.
Tropical climate with an average temperature between 23°C and 27°C the whole year.
Percipitation varies from 1500 mm in the north to 4000 mm in the south.
|RPeople:|N One third Indians or Caribbeans, 40% Europeans, one third negroes and the rest mestizoes or mulattoes.
|REconomy:|N Agriculture and forestry dominates and accounts for 70% of the export value.
Export crops are sugar canes, citrus fruits and bananas. Main crops for domestic use are rice, beans and maize.
Mahogany, rosewood and cedarwood is exported.
Oil has been found both on and off shore.
Manufacturing chiefly of the domestic resources.
|RHistory:|N Belize early belonged to the Maya-people. There are many remnants from that period.
In the early 17th century Britons settled to win timber. Up till 1798 these settlers lived independent but Spanish armies ravaged the area. 1780 Great Britain appointed a superintendent and from 1862 it was a British colony under the name British Honduras.
Internal selfgoverning from 1964 and independence 1981. In 1973 the name was altered to Belize.
The independence was delayed by Guatemala that claimed the whole territory. From independence the territory is secured and guaranteed by Great Britain.
