America's Opportunities

Belize is the only English speaking country in Central America. It is small and ethnically diverse country, with a population of 294,385 and it's location is between the Mexican Yucatan peninsula and Guatemala. In spite, the of poor people migrating from Central American countries during the late 1980s to mid 1990s, substantial progress in the social conditions has been achieved in Belize. Nevertheless, Belize continues to be faced with major development challenges, in part due to its small size. Based on a 1996 survey, it was estimated that about 33% of the population remained below the poverty line, most of which lived in the southern rural districts of Toledo and Cayo. The Government estimates that the poverty situation has changed little during 1996-99. The poor are comprised mostly of indigenous Mayans, refugees and migrant agricultural workers from neighboring Central American countries, as well as small farmers and manufacturing workers.