Social and Cultural Environment

The Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts in Belize City, Belize

Culture can be defined as "ways of living, built up by a group of human beings, that are transmitted from one generation to another". Culture includes both conscious and unconscious values, ideas, attitudes, and symbols that shape human behavior.

Belize, formerly British Honduras, is a country in Central America. Once part of the Maya Empire, it was part of the Spanish Empire, and Belize was affiliated with the British Empire, prior to gaining its independence in in 1981. Belize has a diverse society, composed of many cultures and speaking many languages. It is the only country in Central America where English is the official language!

Culturally, Belize considers itself to be both Caribbean and Central American.

Courtesy is important to most Belizeans. It is not uncommon for Belizeans to greet each other on the street even if they have never seen each other before, or for acquaintances to spend a long time chatting, oblivious to what is happening around them.

Punta is by the far most popular genre of Garifuna music and has become the most popular genre in all of Belize.

Reggae and Soca imported from Jamaica and the rest of the West Indies, and Rap, heavy metal , and rock music from the United States, are also popular among the youth of Belize. Belize's recording industry turns out a few CDs each year; the majority of musical exposure occurs at monthly concerts featuring Belizean and international artists mixing at local nightclubs.

Religious freedom is guaranteed in Belize. It is a predominantly Christian society with 49.6% of Belizeans being Roman Catholics who include mestizos, Spanish, and descendants of Central American settlers, and 29% Protestants.

Political, Legal and Regulatory Environment

Sovereignty can be defined as supreme and independent political authority. Government actions taken in the name of sovereignty occur in the context of two important criteria: a country's stage of development and the political and economic system in place in that country.

Dean Oliver Barrow is the Belizean Prime Minister.(picture)

Belize is a parliamentary democracy, a commonwealth realm, and therefore a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The government is based on the British parliamentary system, and the legal system is modeled on the common law of Great Britain. The current head of state is Elizabeth II, Queen of Belize. The cabinet is led by the Prime Minister of Belize, who is head of government.

The country is bordered to the north by Mexico, to the west by Guatemala, and to the east and south-east by the Caribbean.


With 8,867 square miles of territory and 320,000 people (2008 est.), the population density is the lowest in the Central American region and one of the lowest in the world. The country's population growth rate is 2.21%(2008est.), is the highest in the region and one the highest in the western hemisphere.

Culturally, Belize considers itself to be both Caribbean and Central American.

Belize it!

Belize, formerly British Honduras, is a country in Central America. Once part of the Maya Empire, it was part of the Spanish Empire, and Belize was affiliated with the British Empire, prior to gaining its independence in in 1981.

Belize it!

It is too good to Belize...