--- title: Belize — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 3 description: Wikipedia's «Belize», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Belize is a country on the north-eastern coast of Central America. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Belize/page/3/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Belize # Belize · page 3 From Wikipedia, [«Belize»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belize), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Belize/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Belize/page/2/) **3** [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Belize/page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Belize/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Belize/page/6/) Hurricanes[184](../../184/ "tree and pragmatics") [Hurricanes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone) have played key—and devastating—roles in [Belizean history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Belize).[185](../../185/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1931, an unnamed hurricane destroyed over two-thirds of the buildings in Belize City and killed more than 1,000 people.[186](../../186/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1955, [Hurricane Janet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Janet) levelled the northern town of [Corozal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corozal_Town).[187](../../187/ "tree and pragmatics") Only six years later, [Hurricane Hattie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Hattie) struck the central coastal area of the country, with winds in excess of 300 km/h and 4 m [storm tides](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_tide).[188](../../188/ "tree and pragmatics") The devastation of Belize City for the second time in thirty years prompted the relocation of the capital some 80 km inland to the [planned city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_city) of [Belmopan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belmopan) [corpus](../../../Belmopan/ "in our corpus").[189](../../189/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1978, [Hurricane Greta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Greta-Olivia) caused more than US$25 million in damage along the southern coast.[190](../../190/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2000, [Hurricane Keith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Keith), the wettest tropical cyclone in the nation's record, stalled, and hit the nation as a Category 4 storm on 1 October, causing 19 deaths and at least $280 million in damage.[191](../../191/ "tree and pragmatics") Soon after, on 9 October 2001, [Hurricane Iris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Iris) made landfall at [Monkey River Town](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_River_Town) as a 145 mph Category 4 storm.[192](../../192/ "tree and pragmatics") The storm demolished most of the homes in the village, and destroyed the banana crop.[193](../../193/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2007, [Hurricane Dean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Dean) made landfall as a Category 5 storm only 25 mi north of the Belize–Mexico border.[194](../../194/ "tree and pragmatics") Dean caused extensive damage in northern Belize.[195](../../195/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2010, Belize was directly affected by the Category 2 [Hurricane Richard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Richard), which made landfall approximately 20 mi south-southeast of Belize City at around 00:45 UTC on 25 October 2010.[\[76\]](../../page/6/#ref-76 "note 76")[196](../../196/ "tree and pragmatics") The storm moved inland towards [Belmopan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belmopan) [corpus](../../../Belmopan/ "in our corpus"), causing estimated damage of [BZ$](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belize_dollar)33.8 million ($17.4 million 2010 USD), primarily from damage to crops and housing.[\[77\]](../../page/6/#ref-77 "note 77")[197](../../197/ "tree and pragmatics") The most recent hurricane to make landfall in Belize was [Hurricane Lisa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Lisa_%282022%29) in 2022.[198](../../198/ "tree and pragmatics") [Extreme weather](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extreme_weather) events, such as [hurricanes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone) and floods, have become more frequent and intense due to climate change.[\[78\]](../../page/6/#ref-78 "note 78")[199](../../199/ "tree and pragmatics") Climate change[200](../../200/ "tree and pragmatics") Belize is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its low-lying coastal areas, diverse ecosystems, and economic reliance on tourism and agriculture.[\[78\]](../../page/6/#ref-78 "note 78")[201](../../201/ "tree and pragmatics") As a country, Belize's 2023 [greenhouse gas emissions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas_emissions) are relatively low (7.46 million tonnes), however, it ranks as the 13th highest country for per capita emissions, at 18.13 tonnes per person.[\[79\]](../../page/6/#ref-79 "note 79")[\[80\]](../../page/6/#ref-80 "note 80")[202](../../202/ "tree and pragmatics") [Land use](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_use) change and [forestry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forestry) together is the highest source of emissions in Belize.[\[81\]](../../page/6/#ref-81 "note 81")[203](../../203/ "tree and pragmatics") The government has committed to [net zero emissions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net-zero_emissions) by 2050 and has developed [climate resilience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_resilience) and [adaptation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_adaptation) plans.[\[81\]](../../page/6/#ref-81 "note 81")[204](../../204/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Government and politics Main article: [Politics of Belize](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Belize), [Government of Belize](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Belize) Belize is a [parliamentary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliamentary_system) [constitutional monarchy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_monarchy).[205](../../205/ "tree and pragmatics") The structure of government is based on the British parliamentary system, and the legal system is modelled on the [common law of England](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_law#Common_law).[206](../../206/ "tree and pragmatics") The head of state is, who is the [of Belize](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Of_Belize).[207](../../207/ "tree and pragmatics") He lives in the United Kingdom, and is represented in Belize by the [governor-general](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor-General_of_Belize).[208](../../208/ "tree and pragmatics") Executive authority is exercised by the cabinet, which advises the governor-general and is led by the [prime minister](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Belize), who is head of government.[209](../../209/ "tree and pragmatics") Cabinet ministers are members of the majority political party in parliament and usually hold elected seats within it concurrent with their cabinet positions.[210](../../210/ "tree and pragmatics") The bicameral [National Assembly of Belize](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Assembly_of_Belize) comprises a [House of Representatives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Representatives_of_Belize) and a [Senate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_of_Belize).[211](../../211/ "tree and pragmatics") The 31 members of the House are popularly elected to a maximum five-year term and introduce legislation affecting the development of Belize.[212](../../212/ "tree and pragmatics") The governor-general appoints the 13 members of the Senate, with a Senate president selected by the members.[213](../../213/ "tree and pragmatics") The Senate is responsible for debating and approving bills passed by the House.[214](../../214/ "tree and pragmatics") [Legislative power](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_power) is vested in both the government and the [Parliament of Belize](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_Belize).[215](../../215/ "tree and pragmatics") Constitutional safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association.[216](../../216/ "tree and pragmatics") The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.[\[82\]](../../page/6/#ref-82 "note 82")[217](../../217/ "tree and pragmatics") Members of the independent judiciary are appointed.[218](../../218/ "tree and pragmatics") The judicial system includes local magistrates grouped under the Magistrates' Court, which hears less serious cases.[219](../../219/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Supreme Court](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_Belize) (chief justice) hears murder and similarly serious cases, and the Court of Appeal hears appeals from convicted individuals seeking to have their sentences overturned.[220](../../220/ "tree and pragmatics") Defendants may, under certain circumstances, appeal their cases to the [Caribbean Court of Justice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_Court_of_Justice).[221](../../221/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Political culture In 1935, elections were reinstated, but only 1.8 per cent of the population was eligible to vote.[222](../../222/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1954, women won the right to vote.[\[39\]](../../page/6/#ref-39 "note 39")[223](../../223/ "tree and pragmatics") Since 1974, the party system in Belize has been dominated by the centre-left [People's United Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_United_Party) and the centre-right [United Democratic Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Democratic_Party_%28Belize%29), although other small parties took part in all levels of elections in the past.[224](../../224/ "tree and pragmatics") Though none of these small political parties has ever won any significant number of seats or offices, their challenge has been growing over the years.[225](../../225/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Administrative divisions Belize is divided into [six districts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Districts_of_Belize).[226](../../226/ "tree and pragmatics") These districts are divided into [31 constituencies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constituencies_of_Belize).[227](../../227/ "tree and pragmatics") [Local government in Belize](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_government_in_Belize) comprises four types of local authorities: [city councils](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_council), [town councils](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_council), village councils and [community councils](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_council).[228](../../228/ "tree and pragmatics") The two city councils ([Belize City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belize_City) and [Belmopan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belmopan) [corpus](../../../Belmopan/ "in our corpus")) and seven town councils cover the urban population of the country.[229](../../229/ "tree and pragmatics") Village and community councils cover the rural population.[\[83\]](../../page/6/#ref-83 "note 83")[230](../../230/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Foreign relations Main article: [Foreign relations of Belize](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Belize) Belize is a full participating member of the [United Nations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations); the [Commonwealth of Nations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_of_Nations); the [Organization of American States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organization_of_American_States) (OAS); the [Central American Integration System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_American_Integration_System) (SICA); the [Caribbean Community](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_Community) (CARICOM); the [CARICOM Single Market and Economy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CARICOM_Single_Market_and_Economy) (CSME); the [Association of Caribbean States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Caribbean_States) (ACS); and the [Caribbean Court of Justice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_Court_of_Justice) (CCJ), which currently serves as a final court of appeal for only Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana and Saint Lucia.[231](../../231/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2001, the Caribbean Community heads of government voted on a measure declaring that the region should work towards replacing the UK's [Judicial Committee of the Privy Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judicial_Committee_of_the_Privy_Council) as final court of appeal with the Caribbean Court of Justice.[232](../../232/ "tree and pragmatics") It is still in the process of acceding to CARICOM treaties including the trade and single market treaties.[233](../../233/ "tree and pragmatics") Belize is an original member (1995) of the [World Trade Organization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Organization) (WTO), and participates actively in its work.[234](../../234/ "tree and pragmatics") The pact involves the Caribbean Forum ([CARIFORUM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CARIFORUM)) subgroup of the [Group of African, Caribbean, and Pacific states](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African,_Caribbean_and_Pacific_Group_of_States) (ACP).[235](../../235/ "tree and pragmatics") CARIFORUM presently the only part of the wider ACP-bloc that has concluded the full regional trade-pact with the [European Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union).[236](../../236/ "tree and pragmatics") The [British Army Garrison](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Army_Training_and_Support_Unit_Belize) in Belize is used primarily for [jungle warfare](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jungle_warfare) training, with access to more than 5000 sqmi of jungle terrain.[\[84\]](../../page/6/#ref-84 "note 84")[237](../../237/ "tree and pragmatics") Belize is a party to the [Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome_Statute_of_the_International_Criminal_Court).[\[85\]](../../page/6/#ref-85 "note 85")[238](../../238/ "tree and pragmatics") The United States (US) is a major diplomatic partner to Belize and has been since 1981, following their Independence.[\[86\]](../../page/6/#ref-86 "note 86")[239](../../239/ "tree and pragmatics") Over the past few decades, relations between the two states have consistently grown through mutual cooperation, forming a strong, long-lasting partnership.[240](../../240/ "tree and pragmatics") In Belize, areas such as the economy, international/national security, and education have greatly improved with the support of the US.[241](../../241/ "tree and pragmatics") The US frequently offers Belize financial support.[242](../../242/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2024, Belize and the US foreign assistance agency, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), signed a $125 million compact to support Belize's education and energy sectors.[\[87\]](../../page/6/#ref-87 "note 87")[243](../../243/ "tree and pragmatics") The MCC is a US government-funded foreign assistance agency that focuses on reducing poverty through economic growth.[244](../../244/ "tree and pragmatics") It provides grants as opposed to loans, ensuring the program is not profit-driven.[245](../../245/ "tree and pragmatics") In Belize, this has translated into a system that modernizes educational opportunities and enhances the energy sector.[246](../../246/ "tree and pragmatics") Historically, Belize and the US have had good relations because of a shared commitment to democratic governance.[247](../../247/ "tree and pragmatics") Along with financial aid, the US has continuously provided disaster relief after detrimental natural disasters that have been a threat to Belize's overall stability. [\[88\]](../../page/6/#ref-88 "note 88")[248](../../248/ "tree and pragmatics") The US Peace Corps has also played a pivotal role in Belize.[249](../../249/ "tree and pragmatics") Since 1952, the US Peace Corps has a public health and education program in Belize through the US Embassy Regional Security Program in Central America.[250](../../250/ "tree and pragmatics") Volunteers work in rural and urban communities to address the improvement of education, economic development, public health, etc. These efforts have strengthened the relations between Belize and the US on a more community-based level.[\[88\]](../../page/6/#ref-88 "note 88")[251](../../251/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2025 Belize joined [Barbados](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbados) [corpus](../../../Barbados/ "in our corpus"), the [Commonwealth of Dominica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_of_Dominica), and [Saint Vincent and the Grenadines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines) [corpus](../../../Saint_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines/ "in our corpus") in implementing full free movement, allowing nationals of the four countries to reside and work indefinitely in participating countries without work or residence permits.[\[89\]](../../page/6/#ref-89 "note 89")[\[90\]](../../page/6/#ref-90 "note 90")[\[91\]](../../page/6/#ref-91 "note 91")[\[92\]](../../page/6/#ref-92 "note 92")[\[93\]](../../page/6/#ref-93 "note 93")[252](../../252/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Military Main article: [Military of Belize](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Belize) The [Belize Defence Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belize_Defence_Force) (BDF) serves as the country's military.[253](../../253/ "tree and pragmatics") The BDF, with the Belize National Coast Guard and the Immigration Department, is a department of the Ministry of Defence and Immigration.[254](../../254/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1997 the regular army numbered more than 900, the reserve army 381, the air wing 45 and the maritime wing 36, amounting to an overall strength of approximately 1,400.[\[94\]](../../page/6/#ref-94 "note 94")[255](../../255/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2005, the maritime wing became part of the Belizean Coast Guard.[\[95\]](../../page/6/#ref-95 "note 95")[256](../../256/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2012, the Belizean government spent about $17 million on the military, constituting 1.08% of the country's [gross domestic product](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_domestic_product) (GDP).[\[96\]](../../page/6/#ref-96 "note 96")[257](../../257/ "tree and pragmatics") After Belize achieved independence in 1981 the United Kingdom maintained a deterrent force (British Forces Belize) in the country to protect it from invasion by [Guatemala](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guatemala) [corpus](../../../Guatemala/ "in our corpus") (see [Guatemalan claim to Belizean territory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guatemalan_claim_to_Belizean_territory)).[258](../../258/ "tree and pragmatics") During the 1980s this included a battalion and [No. 1417 Flight RAF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._1417_Flight_RAF) of Harriers.[259](../../259/ "tree and pragmatics") The main British force left in 1994, three years after Guatemala recognized Belizean independence, but the United Kingdom maintained a training presence via the British Army Training and Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) and [25 Flight AAC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/25_Flight_AAC) until 2011 when the last British Forces left Ladyville Barracks, with the exception of seconded advisers.[\[94\]](../../page/6/#ref-94 "note 94")[260](../../260/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Guatemalan territorial dispute Main article: [Belizean–Guatemalan territorial dispute](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belizean–Guatemalan_territorial_dispute) Throughout Belize's history, Guatemala has [claimed sovereignty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belizean–Guatemalan_territorial_dispute) over all or part of Belizean territory.[261](../../261/ "tree and pragmatics") This claim is occasionally reflected in maps drawn by Guatemala's government, showing Belize as Guatemala's [twenty-third department](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Departments_of_Guatemala).[\[97\]](../../page/6/#ref-97 "note 97")[\[99\]](../../page/6/#ref-99 "note 99")[262](../../262/ "tree and pragmatics") The Guatemalan territorial claim involves approximately 53% of Belize's mainland, which includes significant portions of four districts: Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek, and Toledo.[\[100\]](../../page/6/#ref-100 "note 100")[263](../../263/ "tree and pragmatics") Roughly 43% of the country's population (≈154,949 Belizeans) reside in this region.[\[101\]](../../page/6/#ref-101 "note 101")[264](../../264/ "tree and pragmatics") as of 2020, the border dispute with Guatemala remains unresolved and contentious.[\[97\]](../../page/6/#ref-97 "note 97")[\[102\]](../../page/6/#ref-102 "note 102")[\[103\]](../../page/6/#ref-103 "note 103")[265](../../265/ "tree and pragmatics") Guatemala's claim to Belizean territory rests, in part, on Clause VII of the [Anglo-Guatemalan Treaty of 1859](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Guatemalan_Treaty_of_1859), which obligated the British to build a road between Belize City and Guatemala.[266](../../266/ "tree and pragmatics") At various times, the issue has required mediation by the United Kingdom, [Caribbean Community](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_Community) heads of government, the [Organization of American States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organization_of_American_States) (OAS), Mexico, and the United States.[267](../../267/ "tree and pragmatics") In April 2018, Guatemala's government held a referendum to determine if the country should take its [territorial claim on Belize](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belizean–Guatemalan_territorial_dispute) to the [International Court of Justice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Court_of_Justice) (ICJ) to settle the long-standing issue.[268](../../268/ "tree and pragmatics") Guatemalans voted 95%[\[104\]](../../page/6/#ref-104 "note 104") yes on the matter.[\[105\]](../../page/6/#ref-105 "note 105")[269](../../269/ "tree and pragmatics") A similar referendum was to be held in Belize in April 2019, but a court ruling led to its postponement.[\[106\]](../../page/6/#ref-106 "note 106")[270](../../270/ "tree and pragmatics") The referendum was held in May 2019, and 55.4% of voters opted to send the matter to the ICJ.[\[107\]](../../page/6/#ref-107 "note 107")[271](../../271/ "tree and pragmatics") Both countries submitted requests to the ICJ (in 2018 and 2019, respectively) and the ICJ ordered Guatemala's initial brief be submitted by December 2020 and Belize's response by 2022.[\[108\]](../../page/6/#ref-108 "note 108")[272](../../272/ "tree and pragmatics") On 7 June 2023, the stage of written submissions ended, with the next step being oral arguments from each country's legal teams.[\[109\]](../../page/6/#ref-109 "note 109")[273](../../273/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Indigenous land claims Belize backed the [United Nations (UN) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_on_the_Rights_of_Indigenous_Peoples) in 2007, which established legal land rights to indigenous groups.[\[110\]](../../page/6/#ref-110 "note 110")[274](../../274/ "tree and pragmatics") Other court cases have affirmed these rights like the [Supreme Court of Belize](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_Belize)'s 2013 decision to uphold its ruling in 2010 that acknowledges customary land titles as communal land for indigenous peoples.[\[111\]](../../page/6/#ref-111 "note 111")[275](../../275/ "tree and pragmatics") Another such case is the [Caribbean Court of Justice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_Court_of_Justice)'s (CCJ) 2015 order on the Belizean government, which stipulated that the country develop a land registry to classify and exercise traditional governance over Mayan lands.[276](../../276/ "tree and pragmatics") Despite these rulings, Belize has made little progress to support the land rights of indigenous communities; for instance, in the two years after the CCJ's decision, Belize's government failed to launch the Mayan land registry, prompting the group to take action into its own hands.[\[112\]](../../page/6/#ref-112 "note 112")[\[113\]](../../page/6/#ref-113 "note 113")[277](../../277/ "tree and pragmatics") The exact ramifications of these cases need to be examined. as of 2017, Belize still struggles to recognize indigenous populations and their respective rights.[278](../../278/ "tree and pragmatics") According to the 50-page voluntary national report Belize created on its progress toward the [UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_Development_Goals), indigenous groups are not factored into the country's indicators whatsoever.[\[114\]](../../page/6/#ref-114 "note 114")[279](../../279/ "tree and pragmatics") Belize's Maya population is only mentioned once in the entirety of the report.[\[110\]](../../page/6/#ref-110 "note 110")[280](../../280/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Economy Main article: [Economy of Belize](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Belize) Belize has a small, mostly private enterprise economy that is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction recently assuming greater importance.[\[65\]](../../page/6/#ref-65 "note 65")[281](../../281/ "tree and pragmatics") The country is also a producer of [industrial minerals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_mineral),[\[115\]](../../page/6/#ref-115 "note 115") [crude oil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crude_oil), and [petroleum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum). as of 2017, oil production was 2000 oilbbl/d.[\[116\]](../../page/6/#ref-116 "note 116")[282](../../282/ "tree and pragmatics") In agriculture, [sugar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar), like in colonial times, remains the chief crop, accounting for nearly half of exports, while the [banana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana) industry is the largest employer.[\[65\]](../../page/6/#ref-65 "note 65")[283](../../283/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2007 Belize became the world's third largest exporter of [papaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papaya).[\[117\]](../../page/6/#ref-117 "note 117")[284](../../284/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Belize/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Belize/page/2/) **3** [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Belize/page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Belize/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Belize/page/6/) - ← previous: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Belize/page/2/) - next →: [page 4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Belize/page/4/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)