Belize
Belize
- Capital
- Belmopan
- Population
- 397,621
- Region
- Americas
- Languages
- English, Spanish
Despite its Central American location, Belize is the only country in the region where English is the official language. It is home to the world's only jaguar preserve, located within the dense forests of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Divers and explorers from around the world are drawn to its Great Blue Hole, a massive underwater sinkhole that is visible from space. The country also boasts a unique blend of Maya, Mestizo, and Garifuna cultures that influence its vibrant music and spicy cuisine.
Currency
The official currency is the Belize Dollar, which uses the ISO code BZD. Since 1978, it has been officially pegged to the United States Dollar at a fixed rate of two Belize dollars to one U.S. dollar to ensure economic stability.
Flag symbolism
The flag of Belize is unique globally because it features twelve different colors and two human figures in its design. The royal blue field represents the People's United Party, while the two red stripes along the top and bottom were added at independence to represent the United Democratic Party. In the center, a white disc contains the coat of arms, signifying the unity of the nation's people. This design is the only national flag to depict human beings as a primary element.
Emblem history
The coat of arms dates back to 1819 and highlights the country's historical 18th and 19th-century logging industry. It features two woodcutters, one Mestizo and one of African descent, standing on either side of a mahogany tree and holding tools of the trade. Below them, a Latin motto, Sub Umbra Floreo, translates to 'Under the Shade I Flourish.' The wreath of fifty mahogany leaves encircling the shield commemorates the year 1950, when the independence movement began in earnest.