Juntos Belize | About Belize
Belize is a relatively small country in Central America, with a total land area of approximately 9,000 square miles, making it roughly the size of Massachusetts or about twice the size of Jamaica. To put this in perspective, Belize is the second-smallest country in Central America (after El Salvador).
Along with its mainland territory, the country of Belize includes numerous small islands called cayes (pronounced "keys") scattered along its Caribbean coast. The population is also relatively small at ~400,000 people, making Belize one of the least densely populated countries in Central America. The largest city is Belize City (population ~70,000), and the capital is Belmopan (population ~20,000). English is the official language, reflecting its British colonial heritage as the former British Honduras, and, as a result of not observing daylight savings time, local time overlaps both EST and CST time zones.
From the most popular hubs in Houston, Dallas and Miami, travel to Belize consists of a 2-hour flight into the international airport in Belize City as the main gateway. Belmopan is a ~1-hour drive from the international airport into the central region of the country.
The country is known for its remarkable biodiversity, including the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, dense rainforests, and ancient Maya ruins. With a population of approximately 400,000, Belize is home to a diverse mix of cultures, including Creole, Garifuna, Maya, Mestizo, and various other ethnic groups. Its capital, Belmopan, lies in the center of the country, while Belize City remains the largest urban area and commercial hub.
The population of Belize (~400,000) reflects a rich diversity of cultural groups, including descendants of British settlers, the descendents of African slaves (Creole), the indigenous peoples of Belize (Mayan), a unique culture blending African, Carib, and Arawak heritages (Garifuna), a unique blend of Spanish and Mayan heritage (Mestizo), and other well-represented segments including Chinese, Lebanese, Indian, Mennonites, and East Indians.
Belize is also experiencing a rapidly growing population of expatriates, drawn by its unique combination of advantages: English as the official language, favorable retirement benefits, lower cost of living, and proximity to North America. Retirees, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads are particularly attracted to the country's tropical climate, tax benefits, growing infrastructure, and relatively stable political environment. These expat communities are bringing both opportunities and challenges through their investments, business ventures, and cultural influences. The Qualified Retired Persons program has been especially successful in attracting North American retirees seeking a more affordable, tropical lifestyle while maintaining easy access to family and medical services in their home countries.
Despite its natural beauty and tourism potential, Belize faces significant economic challenges, with many of its citizens living below the poverty line. The country's position in the global economy is modest but growing, with increasing foreign investment interest, particularly in tourism development and business process outsourcing, as evidenced by the expanding call center industry.
