2 cities

Location of BelizeGuatemalaHondurasEl SalvadorMexicoNicaraguaBelizeBelmopanBelize City
Country

Belize

17.20° N, 88.71° W

Population
390,353
Area
22,966 km²
Population density
≈ 17 / km²
Capital
Belmopan
Natural Earth
ISO codes
BZ · BLZ
GDP (nominal)
$3.52 billion
GDP per capita (PPP)
$13,300
Compare with…Open on map
How big, reallyDrawn at the same scale as Kuwait — the next country down in size. Equal-area projection, not the map you are used to.
Belize 22,966 km²Kuwait 17,818 km²

geometry: Natural Earth 1:50m · EPSG:6933 equal-area

Where Belize sits in the world

Each line is every country in this atlas that carries the value, ordered smallest to largest. The line down the middle is the world median; the mark on each line is this country.

  1. Median age27.2 years158th of 224 · median 32.6 years
  2. Life expectancy74.3 years140th of 224 · median 76.2 years
  3. Fertility rate2.02 children per woman96th of 225 · median 1.92 children per woman
  4. Population390,353177th of 235 · median 5,454,073
  5. Total area22,966 km²150th of 228 · median 83,736 km²
  6. Coastline386 km118th of 229 · median 402 km

Overview

Name

The name is traditionally believed to come from the Spanish pronunciation of Scottish explorer Peter Wallace's last name. Alternatively, it may be named for the Belize River, whose name possibly derives from the Maya word "belix," meaning "muddy-watered."

Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person

Climate

Tropical conditions bring very hot, humid weather, with a rainy season from May to November and a dry season from February to May. The country experiences frequent, devastating hurricanes from June to November, as well as coastal flooding, especially in the south.

Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person

Government

A parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy and a Commonwealth realm governs Belize. Its legal system is English common law. The latest constitution was signed and entered into force 21 September 1981. Its independence from the UK dates to 21 September 1981. National observances include Battle of St. George's Caye Day (National Day), 10 September (1798), and Independence Day.

Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person

Flag and symbols

The flag is royal blue, with narrow red stripes along its top and bottom edges. A white disk bears the coat of arms: a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree, and a green garland of mahogany leaves. The figures, tree, and garland refer to the logging industry that led the British to settle Belize. National symbols include Baird's tapir, keel-billed toucan, and black orchid.

Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person

Key figures

CIA World Factbook

Economy

GDP (nominal)
$3.52 billion
GDP (PPP)
$5.54 billion
GDP per capita (PPP)
$13,300
GDP growth
+8.2%
Inflation (consumer prices)
3.3%
Unemployment
7%
Exports
$1.64 billion
Imports
$1.72 billion

People

Life expectancy
74.3 years
Median age
27.2 years
Birth rate
17.44 per 1,000
Death rate
4.87 per 1,000
Fertility rate
2.02 children per woman
Population growth
+1.47% a year
Urban population
46.6%
Literacy
87.9%
Religions
  • Roman Catholic40.1%
  • Protestant31.5%includes Pentecostal 8.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 4.7%, Mennonite 3.7%, Baptist 3.6%, Methodist 2.9%, Nazarene 2.8%
  • Jehovah's Witness1.7%
  • other15.5%

Land

Total area
22,966 km²Land 22,806 km² · Water 160 km²
Coastline
386 km
Land borders
542 km
Mean elevation
173 m
Highest point
1,124 m Doyle's Delight

Values from the CIA World Factbook archive. Each carries the year it describes; open a year for the exact source field.

Connections

Within
Borders
Contains

Natural geography 4

Natural Earth outlines · features with a Wikidata ID

Seas 1

Gulfs 1

Mountain ranges 1

Peninsulas 1

Largest cities 2

Population · Natural Earth

  1. Belize City63K
  2. Belmopancapital15.2K

Sources