Can the demise of Belize be averted? Its continued existence -- politically, culturally, demographically, linguistically, and ecologically -- is in jeopardy, threatened from without and from within, writesJoseph E. Fallon, who explores existential threats in this article.
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Belize, which achieved its independence from the U.K. in 1981, is the only English-speaking country in Central America. With a population of 468,310 (2015 estimate), the country is a multi-racial society characterized by political stability and racial tolerance. Conditions historically lacking in the neighboring states. Belize is a parliamentary democracy; a member of the Commonwealth with Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State. Located on the eastern side of the Yucatan peninsula; washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea, Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the south and west. Encompassing 8,867 square miles, and extending 174 miles from north to south and expanding 68 miles from east to west, Belize is roughly the size of the State of Massachusetts and larger than El Salvador, Israel, or Slovenia. Add to this its offshore territorial waters extending 12 miles and the size of the country more than doubles to 18,000 square miles. Because of the natural beauty of its territory, both on land and sea, tourism is a major part of the Belizean economy.
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Sunday, 16 July 2017 20:39