Belize Real Estate Property Properties Caribbean

Belize River front real estate and investment properties
W E L C O M E - T O B A N A N A - B A N K - H E I G H T S

Our Nation

A tropical paradise 0f 8,867 sqaure miles in the aquamarine Caribbean Sea protected by the Great Barrier Reef of Belize. Knonw by all who visit as Mother Natures best keep secret.

Constitution and Government of Belize

Belize achieved full independence on September 21, 1981. Unlike its neighbors, Belize has never had a military coup and enjoys membership in the British Commonwealth, the United Nations, the Nonaligned Movement, the Organization of American States and the newly-formed Association of Caribbean States. Diplomatic relations have been established with many countries. Belize is also a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and related institutions. The Government of Belize is operated on the principles of Parliamentary Democracy based on the Westminster System. The country is a sovereign, democratic state. A Prime Minister and Cabinet make up the Executive Branch, while a 29-member elected House of Representatives and a nine-member appointed Senate form a bi-cameral legislature. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the constitutional Head of State. She is represented in Belize by a Governor-General, who must be a Belizean. The Cabinet consists of a Prime Minister, other Ministers and Ministers of State who are appointed by the Governor-general on the advice of the Prime Minister, the person commanding the support of the majority party in the House of Representatives. Five Senators are appointed by the Governor-general on the advice of the Prime Minister, two on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition, and one on the advice of the Belize Advisory Council. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate are elected either from among the members of these Houses (providing they are not ministers) or from among persons who are not members of either House.

Belize is a land of unique contrasts with more to do and see than many countries 10 times it size. Belize's coast is protected by 185 miles of Barrier Reef studded with hundreds of coral islands, the undiscovered habitat of some of the best diving and sport fishing in the world. At the centre are lush forests of the Mountain Pine Ridge with caves and Mayan Ruins for exploring, rivers for rafting, and breathtaking waterfalls. The south is a land of true tropical rainforest with every form of tropical plant, bird, and wildlife, including playful monkeys, talkative parrots, and colorful toucans.

Belize is located in the Northern Hemisphere, within Central America. Bounded on the North by Mexico, South and West by Guatemala, and the beautiful Caribbean Sea washes its 174 mile coastline to the East, with an area of 8,866 sq. miles including 266 sq. miles of islands.

The cayes (pronounced keys), the offshore atolls, and the barrier reef are one of the main attractions to Belize. The barrier reef, which is 185 miles long, is the longest in the Western Hemisphere. The Belize cayes are islands that are located between the mainland and the barrier reef, on the barrier reef, and on or within the barrier reef perimeters of the Belize offshore atolls. The mangrove cayes provide a superior habitat for birds and marine life. Many birds, fish, shellfish, and marine organisms begin their lives within the protection of the Belize mangroves. On the other hand, Belize's island cayes, which are distinguishable by their palm trees, have provided the foundation for the development of many fine resorts to serve the water sports enthusiasts and the marine naturalists who are flocking to Belize. The cayes and atolls provide superior opportunity for scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, boating, sailing, sail boarding, and sea kayaking, as well as habitat for both nesting birds and turtles. Belize is truly "mother natures" best kept secret.

The Culture and People of Belize

Belize's population is estimated to be approximately 273,700. Belize is a melting pot of many races and over the years the multi-racial make-up has risen through the influx of many people from Central America, North America, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean. The Maya built breathtaking temple complexes aligned to the movement of celestial bodies. Although they remained technically a Stone Age culture, they also developed sophisticated mathematics, astronomy and calendars. The Spanish constructed some plain stone churches, but the modern architecture is predominantly British Caribbean in style. The majority of Belize's population are Roman Catholics, but British influence has created a sizable and varied protestant congregation, including Swiss Mennonites. Belize has never really developed a national cuisine. Cooking in Belize borrows elements from the UK, the USA, Mexico and the Caribbean. The traditional staples eaten by the people of Belize are rice and beans. These are often eaten with chicken, pork, beef, fish or vegetables. Coconut milk and fried plaintain add a tropical flavor.

Languages Spoken in Belize

Belize is officially English-speaking, but the Creoles (the largest ethnic group) speak their own colorful dialect as well as standard English. Spanish is the main language in the northern region of Belize and some towns in the west. You may also hear Mayan, Chinese, Mennonite German, Lebanese, Arabic, Hindi and Garífuna (the language of the Garinagu people of Stann Creek district) being spoken.

The History of Belize

Belize, formerly the British Honduras until the name of the country was changed in 1973. Belize lies on the eastern or Caribbean coast of Central America, bounded on the north and part of the west by Mexico, and on the south and the remainder of the west by Guatemala.

From an early date the settlers of Belize had governed themselves under a system of primitive democracy by Public Meeting. A set of regulations referred to as Burnaby's Code was effected in 1765 and this, with some modification, continued until 1840 when an Executive Council was created in Belize. In 1853 the Public Meeting was replaced by a Legislative Assembly (partly elected, on a restrictive franchise), with the British Superintendent, an office created in 1786 at the settlers' request, as Chairman. When the settlement became a colony in 1871 the Superintendent was replaced by a Lieutenant Governor under the Governor of Jamaica. The Crown Colony System of Government was introduced in 1871, and the Legislative Assembly by its own vote was replaced by a nominated Legislative Council with an official majority presided over by the Lieutenant Governor.

An unofficial majority was created in 1892, and this constitution, with minor changes, continued until 1935 when the elective principle was once again introduced on the basis of adult suffrage with a low-income qualification. The administrative connection with Jamaica was severed in 1884, when the title of Lieutenant Governor was changed and a Governor was appointed. Further constitutional advances came in 1954 with the introduction of Universal Adult Suffrage and an elected majority in the Legislature, the Ministerial System was adopted in 1961 leading up to Self Government in 1964. The country's name was changed on 1st June, 1973, from British Honduras to Belize. Independence was achieved on September 21, 1981 and a new independence constitution introduced. Belize was then admitted as a member of the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the British Commonwealth of Nations.