Belize

Central America and the Caribbean
Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico.

Capital
Belmopan


Government
Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy


Religion
Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), other 14%, none 9.4%

Population
314,522


Ethnic group
Mestizo, Kriol, Maya, Garinagu, Mennonite, Black, East Indian


National Language                    
English
           
National Day
21 September 1981 (from the UK)


Anthem
Land of the Free


Currency
Belize dollar (BZD)


Attractions
Barrier Reef Reserve, Blue Hole, Caracol, Xunantunich Mayan Ruins


Website      

		17.4135461N 88.4069824W
           Governor-General Sir Colville Young	Prime Minister Dean Barrow

Art & Cultural

The ICON

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Xunantunich (shoo-NAHN-too-nich) is a Maya archaeological site in western Belize, about 80 miles (130 km) west of Belize City,in the Cayo District. Xunantunich is located atop a ridge above the Mopan River, within sight of the Guatemala border. Its name means "Stone Woman" in the Maya language and like many names given to Maya archaeological sites, is a modern name; the ancient name is currently unknown. The "Stone Woman" refers to the ghost of a woman claimed by several people to inhabit the site, beginning in 1892. She is dressed completely in white, and has fire-red glowing eyes. She generally appears in front of El Castillo; ascends the stone stairs and disappears into a stone wall.

Xunantunich