Flag

The red, white and blue flag of Belize is a symbol of the unity of our nation. Prior to Independence the People's United Party (PUP) proposed a blue flag with the Coat of Arms in a white circle. Because of the close association of the flag with the PUP, public opinion was divided as to its suitability to act as a unifying symbol.

The United Democratic Party (UDP) did not propose a flag, but called for a flag that could rally all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation. As a consequence, the bi-partisan National Symbols Committee invited citizens to submit designs for a National Flag.

The design selected by the Committee is a royal blue flag with one horizontal red stripe at the top, one at the bottom, and a white circle with the Coat of Arms in the centre

Coat of Arms

The shield of the Coat of Arms is divided into three sections by a vertical line and an inverted V. The base section represents a ship in full sail on waves of the sea. The two upper sections show tools of the timber industry in Belize: a paddle and a squaring axe in the right section and a saw and a beating axe in the left section.

Supporting the shield are two woodcutters, the one on the right holding a beating axe over his shoulder in his right hand, and the one on the left holding a paddle over his shoulder in his left hand. Above the sheild rises a mahogany tree. Below the sheild is the motto scroll. A wreath of leaves encircles the Coat of Arms. The Coat of Arms embodies an important aspect of the history of Belize, as the mahogany industry formed the basis of our economy in the 18th and 19th centuries. NATIONAL MOTTO: "Sub Umbra Florero" - These latin words mean, "Under the shade I flourish.

National Anthem

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Land Of The Free

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.

Chorus:

Arise! ye sons of the Baymen's clan,
Put on your armours, 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 bold
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 to-morrow's noon.

The words of the National Anthem were derived from a poem entitled O Land of the Gods written originally by Samuel Haynes. The musical arrangement was done by Selvyn Young.

Almighty and Eternal God, who through Jesus Christ
has revealed Your Glory to all nations, please protect
and preserve Belize, our beloved country.

God of might, wisdom and justice, please assist our
Belizean government and people with your Holy Spirit
of counsel and fortitude.

Let your light of Your divine wisdom direct their plans
and endeavours so that with Your help we may attain
our just objectives. With Your guidance, may all our
endeavours tend to peace, social justice, liberty, national
happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety and useful knowledge.

We pray, O God of Mercy, for all of us that we may be
blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the
observance of Your most holy law, that we may be
preserved in union and in peace which the world
itself cannot give. And, after enjoying the blessings of
this life, please admit us, dear Lord, to that eternal
reward that You have prepared for those who love You.

Amen.

National Flower

Black Orchid (Encyclia Cochleatum)

The Black Orchid (Encyclia Cochleatum) is the National Flower of Belize. This orchid grows on trees in damp areas, and flowers nearly all year round. Its clustered bulblike stems vary in size up to six inches long and carry two or three leaves

The black orchid flower has greenish-yellow petals and sepals with purple blotches near the base. The "lip" (one petal of special construction, which is the flower's showiest) is shaped like a valve of a clam shell (hence the name Encyclia Cochleatum) and is deep purple-brown, almost black, with conspicuous radiating purple veins.

National Tree

Mahogany Tree (Swietenia Macrophilla)

The Mahogany Tree (Swietenia Macrophilla) is one of the magnificent giants of the forest. Rising straight and tall to over a hundred feet from great buttresses at the roots, it emerges above the canopy of the surrounding trees with a crown of large, shining green leaves.

In the early months of the year, when the leaves fall and new red-brown growth appears, the tree can be spotted from a great distance. The tree puts out a great flush of small whitish flowers - the blossom for dark fruits, which are pear-shaped capsules about six inches long. When the fruits mature they split into five valves, freeing large winged seeds which are carried away by the wind. They fall on the shaded protection of the forest floor and germinate to begin a new life cycle. The mahogany tree matures in 60 to 80 years.

British settlers exploited the forest for mahogany, beginning around the middle of the 17th century. It was originally exported to the United Kingdom in the form of squared logs, but shipment now consits mainly of sawn lumber. The mahogany tree forms part of Belize's Coat of Arms. The motto "Sub Umbra Florero" means: Under the shade (of the mahogany tree) I flourish.

National Bird

Keel Billed Toucan (Ramphastos Solfurantus)

The Keel Billed Toucan (Ramphastos Solfurantus) is the National Bird of Belize. It is noted for its great, canoe-shaped bill, brightly colored green, blue, red and orange feathers. The bird is about 20 inches in overall length. It is mostly black with bright yellow cheeks and chest, red under the tail and a distinctive white patch at the base of the tail.

Toucans are found in open areas of the country with large trees. They make a monotonous frog-like croak. Toucans like fruits, and eat by cutting with the serrated edge of their bills. Toucans nest in holes in trees, using natural holes or holes made by woodpeckers, often enlarging the cavity by removing soft, rotten wood. They lay two to four eggs which are incubated by both parents. The nesting stage lasts from six to seven weeks

National Animal

Tapir or Mountain Cow (Tapirello Bairdii)

The Tapir or Mountain Cow (Tapirello Bairdii) is the largest land mammal of the American tropics. The tapir is a stoutly built animal with short legs, about the size of a donkey and weighs up to 600 pounds. Its general color is dusty brown with a white fringe around the eyes and lips, white tipped ears and occasional white patches of fur on the throat and chest.

In spite of it's local name, the tapir is not a cow. It is closely related to the horse and is also kin to the rhinoceros. The tapir is a vegetarian. It spends much of its time in water or mud shallows, and is a strong swimmer. The National Animal is protected under the wildlife protection laws of Belize, thus the hunting of the tapir is illegal.

National Holidays

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New Year's Day (01 January); Baron Bliss Day (09 March); Good Friday; Holy Saturday; Easter Monday; Labour Day (01 May); Commonwealth Day (24 May); St. George's Caye Day (10 September); Independence Day (21 September); Columbus Day (12 October); Garifuna Settlement Day (19 November); Christmas Day (25 December); Boxing Day (26 December).

Holidays that fall on a Sunday are observed the following day.

Belize is about the size of Wales. Much of the country is unpopulated forest area. It lies off the Caribbean coast of Central America, bordering Mexico and Guatemala. It has a well-preserved environment and the world's fifth longest barrier reef and the longest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere (184 miles long) running along the offshore islands (or Cayes).

Overall health conditions in Belize compare favourably with neighbouring Central American countries, though still poor. The government is the main provider of health services which include the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, a national referral hospital in Belize City, 3 regional and 3 district/community hospitals, approximately 40 health centres, 30 health posts and a mental health facility. A major reform of the health sector, including reorganisation of services, infrastructure development and financing is currently underway. Services provided by these facilities are complemented by national programmes for maternal and child health, environmental public health and water safety inspection, health promotion education and nutrition, dental health, communicable disease control and HIV/AIDS. The leading cause(s) of death in Belize is (are) heart disease, secondary to diabetes, hypertension and road traffic accidents, followed by high blood pressure and HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS was first diagnosed in Belize in 1986. Since then, there has been an increase in incidence (rates) every year, and has now reached epidemic proportions. UNAIDS estimate there is a 2.01% prevalence rate of HIV in Belize which would rank the country as one of the highest in Central America and ninth in the Caribbean. The national AIDS Commission estimates that there are approximately 7,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Belize producing a 4% infection rate.

Youth (15-24 years) literacy rate, 2000-2006*, male

76

Youth (15-24 years) literacy rate, 2000-2006*, female

77

Number per 100 population 2005: phones

57

Number per 100 population 2005: Internet users

14

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, male

130

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, female

125

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, male

93

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, female

96

Primary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*) ratio, net, male

-

Primary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*) ratio, net, female

-

% of primary school entrants reaching grade 5 2000-2006*, adMinister data

91

% of primary school entrants reaching grade 5 2000-2006*, survey data

-

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, male

84

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, female

85

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, male

71

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, female

72

Secondary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*), net, male

-

Secondary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*), net, female

-

In the first post-independence elections in 1984, the centre-right United Democratic Party (UDP), led by Manuel Esquivel, defeated the centre-left People's United Party (PUP), which under George Price had dominated national politics for nearly 30 years. Price was returned to power at the 1989 elections, but lost again in 1993 to the UDP. At the 1998 general election the PUP, led by Said Musa, achieved a landslide victory. The new government's agenda was strongly pro-poor and expansionary.

At the 2003 general election, the incumbent PUP government was re-elected for a second consecutive term.It was a second landslide victory for the PUP, winning 22 of the seats in the House of Representatives compared to the UDP's 7, and 53% of the popular vote compared to the UDP's 45%. It was also historic: this was the first time a government had been re-elected since independence in 1981.

For the 2003 election, the PUP had campaigned under the theme 'No Turning Back' on a manifesto promising education as the top priority. However, the PUP’s second term has been difficult, with allegations of corruption and poor macro-economic management.

In January and April 2005 the government faced violent protests and civil disturbances.

These culminated in a riot in Belize City on 20 April 2005 when 27 people were injured and 100 arrested.

Local elections were held on 1 March 2006 in the first test of voter attitudes since the 2003 elections. The ruling PUP party controlled 6 Councils before the election but the opposition United Democratic Party (UPD) swept to power in all of the nine City and Municipal Councils.

The government continued to be dogged by  financial problems and they were forced to re-negotiate the country’s external debt with creditors.  This was successfully completed in February 2007.  Further problems arose over the governments handling of the Health sector and in particular over the decision to pay off the debts of a private health company, which lead to further civil disturbances in May 2007 and the dismissal of three ministers and the resignation of another

The opposition UDP were able to build on their success in the municipal elections of March 2006 and swept to power winning 26 of the 31 seats in the national Assembly in the general election held on 7 February 2008.