Moving to Belize: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

399,598

Population Growth Rate

1.97%

Urban Population

44.700000

Population in Major Urban Areas

BELMOPAN (capital) 14,000

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Age Structure

34.410000

Median Age

21.500000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

26

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

5.93

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

3.08

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

55.2%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

55.2%

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.050000

Ethnic Groups

Mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%

Nationality Noun

Belizean(s)

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Literacy - total population

76.9%

Literacy - male

94.1%

Literacy - female

94.1%

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

6.6%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

14.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

68.400000

Infant Mortality Rate

20.820000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

20.820000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

53

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.83

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

1.1

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

5.7%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

High

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

33.7%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

98.400000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

94.200000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

6.2%

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Economic Overview

Tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner in this small economy, followed by exports of sugar, bananas, citrus, marine products, and crude oil.

The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth averaging nearly 4% from 1999-2007, but GPD growth has averaged only 2.1% from 2007-2016, with 2.5% growth estimated for 2017.

Belize’s dependence on energy imports makes it susceptible to energy price shocks.

Although Belize has the third-highest per capita income in Central America, the average income figure masks a huge income disparity between rich and poor, and a key government objective remains to reduce poverty and inequality with the help of international donors.

High unemployment, a growing trade deficit, and a heavy foreign debt burden continue to be major concerns.

Belize faces continued pressure from rising sovereign debt and a growing trade imbalance.

Industries

Garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,200.00 (USD)

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$2,430,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$8,200.00 (USD)

GDP - official exchange rate

$1,770,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• Consumption: 72.1% Government
• Consumption: 17.2% Investment in Fixed
• Capital: 20.3% Investment in
• Inventories: 0.8% Exports of Goods and
• Services: 52.6% Imports of Goods and
• Services: -63%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

11.7%

GDP by Sector- Industry

14.5%

GDP by Sector- services

59.9%

Industrial Growth Rate

-1%

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Inflation Rate

0.9%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

2

Currency Name and Code

Belizean dollars (BZD)

Fiscal Year

1 April - 31 March

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

10.8%

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Labor Force

120,500

Unemployment Rate

12.9%

Major Industries

Garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil

Agriculture Products

• Bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar
• fish, cultured shrimp
• lumber

Population Below Poverty Line

41%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

27,751

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

40%

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

10.2%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

18.1%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

71.7%

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Annual Budget

$500,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

86.3%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-8.5%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

28.2%

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Full Country Name

None

Country Name

Belize

Former Name

British Honduras

Etymology- history of name

may be named for the Belize River, whose name possibly derives from the Maya word "belix," meaning "muddy-watered"

Independence

21 September 1981 (from the UK)

National Holiday

Battle of St. George's Caye Day (National Day), 10 September (1798); Independence Day, 21 September (1981)

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Government Type

parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Constitution

• history: previous 1954, 1963 (preindependence); latest signed and entered into force 21 September 1981
• amendments: proposed and adopted by two-thirds majority vote of the National Assembly House of Representatives except for amendments relating to rights and freedoms, changes to the Assembly, and to elections and judiciary matters, which require at least three-quarters majority vote of the House; both types of amendments require assent of the governor general; amended several times, last in 2017

Legal System:

English common law

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Froyla TZALAM (since 27 May 2021 previous Queen ELIZABETH II (6 February 1952 - 8 September 2022)
• head of government: Prime Minister Juan Antonio BRICENO (since 12 November 2020); Deputy Prime Minister Cordel HYDE (since 16 November 2020)
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among members of the National Assembly
• elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor-general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor-general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister

Legislative Branch:

• Description: bicameral National Assembly consists of: Senate (14 seats, including the president); members appointed by the governor-general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, non-governmental organizations in good standing, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; Senate president elected from among the Senate members or from outside the Senate; members serve 5-year terms House of Representatives (32 seats; 31 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and the speaker, who may be designated from outside the government; members serve 5-year terms)
• Elections: Senate - last appointed 11 November 2020 (next appointments in November 2025) House of Representatives - last held on 11 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2025)
• Election Results: Senate - all members appointed; composition as of August 2023 -
• Composition: men 8, women 6, percent of women 43% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PUP 59.6%, UDP 38.8%, other 1.6%; seats by party - PUP 26, UDP 5; composition as of August 2023 - men 27, women 5, percent of women 15.6%;
• Note: total percent of women in the National Assembly 24%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor-general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader; other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75; in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year
• subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts; Family Court

Regions or States:

6 districts Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Belize Progressive Party or BPP [Wil MAHEIA] (formed in 2015 from a merger of the People's National Party, elements of the Vision Inspired by the People, and other smaller political groups)
• People's United Party or PUP [Juan Antonio "Johnny" BRICENO]
• United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean Oliver Barrow and Patrick FABER]
• Vision Inspired by the People or VIP [Hubert ENRIQUEZ]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: yes citizenship by descent
• only: yes dual citizenship
• recognized: yes residency requirement for
• naturalization: 5 years

Capital Name

Belmopan

Capital - geographic coordinate

17 15 N, 88 46 W

Capital Time Difference

UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• AOSIS
• Caricom
• CD
• CDB
• CELAC
• FAO
• G-77
• IADB
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (NGOs)
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• ITU
• LAES
• MIGA
• NAM
• OAS
• OPANAL
• OPCW
• PCA
• Petrocaribe
• SICA
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• UPU
• WCO
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Michelle KWAN (since 5 December 2022)
• Embassy: Floral Park Road, Belmopan, Cayo
• Mailing Address: 3050 Belmopan Place, Washington DC 20521-3050
• Telephone: (501) 822-4011
• FAX: (501) 822-4012
• Email: ACSBelize@state.gov
• Website: https://bz.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Lynn Raymond YOUNG (since 7 July 2021)
• Chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008-2826
• Telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636
• FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888
• Email: reception.usa@mfa.gov.bz
• Website: https://www.belizeembassyusa.mfa.gov.bz/
• Consulate(s) General: Los Angeles, New York (consular services temporarily suspended beginning 18 December 2020) consulate(s): Miami

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Geographic Location

Central America

Geographic Coordinates

17 15 N, 88 45 W

Total Area

8,867 Square Miles 22,966 Square Kilometers

Land Area

8,805 Square Miles 22,806 Square Kilometers

Water Area

62 Square Miles 160 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

321 Miles 516 Kilometers

Border Countries

Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km

Coastline

240 Miles 386 Kilometers

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Terrain

Flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in the south

Highest Point

1,160 Meters

Highest Point Location

Victoria Peak 1,160 m

Lowest Point Location

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Natural Resources

Arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower

Irrigated Land

12 Square Miles 30 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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Climate

Belize's subtropical climate is hot and humid most of the year.

In Belize City, the average daily temperature is 85°F, but the daytime high is often in the 90s between May and October, with uncomfortably high humidity.

The dry season runs from January through April.

Heavy rains begin in June and can continue through December.

Mosquito outbreaks are a perennial result.

From March to November, a fairly steady breeze makes the heat in Belize City less intolerable.

The coolest period is December to February when the average daily temperature is only 75°F.

During this period, night temperatures can drop into the upper 50s.

Tropical storms and hurricanes can occur from June through November.

In 1931 and 1961, hurricanes devastated Belize City.

Terrain

Flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in the south

Location

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

Total Area

8,867 Square Miles 22,966 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km

Environment - Current Issues

• Deforestation
• water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff
• solid and sewage waste disposal

Environment - International Agreements

Party To: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$519,500,000 (USD)

Imports

$895,500,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood, crude oil

Major Imports

• Machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods
• fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
• food, beverages, tobacco

Top Export Partners

UK 30.8%, United States 18.7%, Nigeria 6.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.8%, Ireland 4.2%, Jamaica 4.2%

Top Import Partners

United States 26.6%, Mexico 11.7%, Cuba 10.2%, Guatemala 9%, China 7.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 5.6%

Export Partners

UK 30.8%, United States 18.7%, Nigeria 6.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.8%, Ireland 4.2%, Jamaica 4.2%

Import Partners

United States 26.6%, Mexico 11.7%, Cuba 10.2%, Guatemala 9%, China 7.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 5.6%

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Country Description

Belize is a parliamentary democracy and British Commonwealth country with a developing economy based primarily upon agriculture and tourism.

Tourist facilities vary in quality, from a limited number of business-class hotels in Belize City and luxury resorts in the offshore cayes (pronounced: "keys") to a range of luxury resorts, eco-tourism lodges, and very basic accommodations in the countryside.

Violent crime, especially in areas of Belize City, remains a serious concern.

Safety & Security

• Security: The potential for domestic terrorist activity such as bombings, kidnappings, or hijackings is considered low in Belize. However, domestic gang members and other criminals have used fragmentation grenades and firearms to settle disputes. Neither U.S. citizens nor other foreign nationals are known to have been the victims or targets of terrorist activity in Belize. U.S. citizens are not believed to be specifically targeted for robbery or other crimes but are instead targets of opportunity. No areas are closed to travel but visitors should exercise caution, particularly in southern Belize City and remote areas along Belize’s borders. General
• Safety: As with any travel, visitors should exercise situational awareness and good judgment while visiting Belize. Crime is a serious and growing problem throughout Belize. Road accidents are common and traffic fatalities have included U.S. citizens. Public buses and taxis are frequently in poor condition and lack basic safety equipment. Many unlicensed taxis are present in Belize and U.S. citizens are encouraged to avoid traveling in them; genuine taxis may be identified by their green-colored license plates. Medical care is limited in many areas, including the larger cities of Belize City and Belmopan, and emergency response services such as ambulances or paramedics may be either unavailable or limited in capability and equipment. Water
• Safety: Tourist safety standards and emergency response capabilities in Belize are not equal to those in the United States, and significant injuries and deaths continue to occur while tourists are swimming, snorkeling, and SCUBA diving. Five U.S. citizens died while either diving or snorkeling in Belize in 2012. Inconsistent and overall lax safety standards may have been a factor in some of these deaths, along with poor weather conditions. Boats serving the public, especially water taxis, often do not carry sufficient safety equipment, observe safety regulations, or stay within defined water lanes while operating in the presence of tourists in the water. Many carry an excessive number of passengers and may sail in inclement weather. Tourists should check with their hotel before choosing to snorkel and swim off shore to ensure that they avoid the boat lanes, as tourists have been severely injured by passing boats. Rental diving equipment may not always be properly maintained or inspected, and some local dive masters fail to consider the skill levels of individual tourists when organizing dives. Deaths and serious injuries have occurred as a result of the negligence of dive tour operators, the lack of strict enforcement of tour regulations, water taxis diverging from routes when tourists are in the water, and tourists’ neglect of their own physical limitations. The Embassy strongly recommends that anyone interested in SCUBA diving or snorkeling while in Belize check the references, licenses, and equipment of tour operators before agreeing to or paying for a tour. The Embassy further recommends that U.S. citizens be forthcoming in reporting pre-existing medical conditions to their dive tour operators, and comply when a dive tour operator prohibits participation in such activities due to a U.S. citizen’s health condition. The situation may improve, as all tour guides and boat captains are now required to be licensed by the Government of Belize. The only hyperbaric recompression chamber in Belize is located in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. Cave
• Tubing: As a result of a fatal accident at the Cave’s Branch Archeological Park in September 2008, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) implemented new regulations, effective as of October 15, 2008. Cave tubing policies include an enhanced, mandatory guest-to-guide ratio of eight-to-one for all cave tubing tour companies operating in Belize. Signage is required at each cave tubing excursion site to inform participants of park rules, current water conditions, and/or warnings. Mandatory specialty trainin

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Crime

Much of the violent crime in Belize occurs on the south side of Belize City, home to several street gangs.

Belizean officials in November 2012, in an attempt to control the security situation in these areas, invoked a “declaration of crime-infested areas” under the Belizean law that allows for law enforcement and security forces to conduct warrantless searches of personnel and property in these “crime-ridden” areas.

Organized crime beyond street gangs is primarily connected to drug trafficking or trafficking in persons.

Incidents of crime remain high, including violent crimes such as armed robbery, home invasions, shootings, stabbings, murders, and rapes.

The Embassy has noted an increase in crimes against tourists at resorts and on the roads and riverways.

U.S. citizens are primarily the victims of opportunistic crime.

There is no evidence suggesting criminals specifically target U.S. citizens, but nonetheless, foreigners have been targeted for crime due to their perceived wealth.

Incidents of crime (such as theft, burglary, home invasion, purse-snatching, and pick-pocketing) increase during the winter holidays and during spring break.

Several victims who resisted when confronted by criminals received serious injuries, including gunshot wounds and broken limbs.

Although the majority of reported incidents occur in Belize City, particularly southern Belize City, crime may occur anywhere including in tourist destinations such as San Pedro Town (Ambergris Caye), Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, Dangriga, Corozal, and Placencia.

Violent crime has risen steadily in Belize over the past several years.

In 2012, Belize recorded 145 murders, setting a new record for homicides in the country, nearly 15% higher than in 2011.

With a population of only 312,698 according to the 2010 country census, the extremely high murder rate per capita of 46 homicides per 100,000 residents, makes Belize the sixth most dangerous country in the world, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

While the country’s per capita homicide rate is still lower than that of other Central American countries, such as Honduras and El Salvador, its year-on-year increase is of concern.

The majority of homicides in 2012 occurred in the Belize district, with most in the southern portion of Belize City, an area that has become increasingly violent due to ongoing gang warfare between local groups for control of lucrative narcotics smuggling routes and sales rights.

Tourists have not been targeted in this recent increase in the murder rate, but armed robberies of tourists remain a possibility at archeological sites, national parks, and other areas frequented by visitors.

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of robberies, home invasions, and daytime assaults committed across Belize.

It does not appear that the perpetrators have targeted tourists; the victims are mostly Belizeans who were targets of opportunity.

Violent crime has remained low in tourist areas.

Though some notable murders have occurred, including the widely-publicized murder of a U.S. citizen in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

Crime Threats: We encourage U.S. citizens to exercise caution and good situational awareness in all their travel activities.

Visitors to tourist attractions should travel in groups and remain at the main plazas at Maya ruins and the central areas.

Although there are armed guards stationed at many of the archeological sites, armed criminals have been known to prey on persons walking alone or in small groups from one site to another.

While many victims of theft are unharmed and only robbed of personal belongings and cash, victims who resist assailants have suffered an injury, sometimes serious.

U.S. citizens who become victims of a robbery should report it immediately to the nearest police station and notify the Embassy.

The Embassy recommends that visitors travel in groups and only during daylight hours.

Avoid wearing jewelry or carrying valuable or expensive item

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Belize, you are subject to Belize’s laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses.

Belize law enforcement reserves the right to hold any individual for up to 48 hours to verify identity and conduct other security checks prior to a formal arrest at which time the

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Medical Facilities

Medical care for minor ailments is generally available in urban areas.

Trauma care or advanced medical treatment is limited, even in Belize City or Belmopan, and may be extremely limited or unavailable in rural and remote areas.

Pharmacy services are generally good in larger towns; many medications such as antibiotics which are available only by prescription in the U.S. can be obtained over-the-counter from licensed pharmacists.

However, more specialized prescription medications may be completely unavailable.

U.S. citizens bringing their own prescription medications with them must ensure they carry a current doctor’s prescription for each medication.

In much of the country, emergency services will be either unavailable or delayed and serious injuries or illnesses often require evacuation to another country.

The Embassy strongly suggests visitors obtain traveler’s insurance and medical evacuation coverage in advance of their travel to cover unexpected medical emergencies.

Dengue Fever: The Government of Belize reported that Dengue fever has quadrupled in 2013 compared to previous years.

In 2012, there were cases of Dengue fever, but no deaths were reported.

In 2013, over 600 suspected cases were reported, but only 20 were confirmed by a laboratory.

According to the WHO (World Health Organization), no hemorrhagic cases were reported.

Neighboring countries are on high alert, including Honduras where a state of emergency has been issued.

Traffic Safety

Belize’s road conditions differ significantly from those in the United States.

Valid U.S. or international driver’s permits are accepted in Belize only for a period of three months after initial entry.

Public buses and private vehicles are the main mode of transportation in Belize; no railways currently operate in the country.

Like in the United States, drivers operate vehicles on the right side of the road, and road signs are in English with distances indicated in miles.

But driving norms do not always follow U.S. practice, and due caution must be exercised at all times.

Poor road and/or vehicle maintenance cause many fatal accidents on Belize’s roads.

Speed limits are a maximum of 55 miles per hour on highways and 25 miles per hour on most other roads, but they are seldom observed or even posted.

Drivers should particularly watch for speed bumps and rumble strips as they pass through villages on the major highways.

These usually denote pedestrian crossings and are not always marked by clear signage or reflective yellow paint.

Roadside assistance can be difficult to summon as there are very few public telephones along the road and emergency telephone numbers do not always function properly.

While cell phone service is fairly reliable, reception in remote areas is spotty or non-existent.

The Belize Department of Transportation is responsible for road safety.

Roads in Belize vary from two-lane paved roads to dirt or gravel tracks.

The few paved roads are high-crowned, meaning that the roads are built to a slight point in the middle and slope down on the sides.

There are usually no shoulders on the sides of the roads such that when vehicles get too close to the edge, the vehicle may lose traction on the loosely packed gravel, which contributes to cars overturning.

There are few markings or reflectors; even in urban areas, most streets lack lane markings, leading many motorists to create as many lanes as possible in any given stretch of street or road.

Bridges on major highways are often only a single lane.

The Manatee Road (Coastal Road), leading from the Western Highway east of Belmopan to Dangriga, is mostly unpaved, easily flooded after storms, and without services.

The Southern Highway from Dangriga to Punta Gorda is now completely paved and in good condition.

Service stations are available along the major roads, although there are some significant gaps in the rural areas.

Belize’s official hurricane season lasts from May to November and creates hazardous road conditions.

Motorists should not attempt to cross any low bridge with water flowing over the surface of the bridge as both the strength and depth of the current may be stronger than is apparent.

Certain stretches of the George Price Highway that connects Belize City to Belmopan and continues west to the Guatemalan border have been the site of several fatal accidents.

Many vehicles on the road do not have functioning safety equipment such as turn signals, flashers, or brake lights.

Seatbelts for drivers and front-seat passengers are mandatory, but children’s car seats are not required and are not widely available for purchase.

Maintaining a safe driving distance will help avoid accidents.

Driving while intoxicated is punishable by a fine; however, if an alcohol-related road accident results in a fatality, the driver may face manslaughter charges.

U.S. citizens can and have been imprisoned in Belize as a result of road accidents, even where alcohol is not a factor.

Unusual local traffic customs include: pulling to the right before making a left turn; passing on the right of someone who is signaling a right-hand turn; stopping in the middle of the road to talk to someone while blocking traffic; carrying passengers, including small children, in the open beds of trucks; and tailgating at high speeds.

Bicycles are numerous and constitute a traffic hazard at all times.

Bicyclists often ride against traffic and do not obey even basic traffic laws such as stopping at red lights

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Airports - total

47

Airports with Paved Runways

6

Roadways- total

1,783 Miles 2,870 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

303 Miles 488 Kilometers

Waterways

513 Miles 825 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda

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Telephones

31,200

Cell Phones

118,300

Internet Users

32,000

Internet Country Code

.bz

Internet Hosts

2,880

Broadcast Media

• 8 privately-owned TV stations
• multi-channel cable TV provides access to foreign stations
• about 25 radio stations broadcasting on roughly 50 different frequencies
• state-run radio was privatized in 1998

Telephone System

• Assessment: above-average system; trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay
• Domestic: fixed-line teledensity of slightly less than 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 70 per 100 persons
• International: country code - 501; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6)

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

198,500,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

248,400,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

213,500,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

7,044

Oil Exports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

4,345

Oil Reserves- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

6,700,000

Anthem Lyrics English

O.

Land of the Free by the Carib Sea, Our manhood we pledge to thy liberty!

No tyrants here linger, despots must flee This tranquil haven of democracy The blood of our sires which hallows the sod, Brought freedom from slavery oppression's rod, By the might of truth and the grace of God, No longer shall we be hewers of wood.

Arise! ye sons of the Baymen's clan, Put on your armour, clear the land!

Drive back the tyrants, let despots flee - Land of the Free by the Carib Sea!

Nature has blessed thee with wealth untold, O'er mountains and valleys where prairies roll; Our fathers, the Baymen, valiant and bold Drove back the invader; this heritage hold From proud Rio Hondo to old Sarstoon, Through coral isle, over blue lagoon; Keep watch with the angels, the stars and moon; For freedom comes tomorrow's noon.