Population:
Today Belize's population is estimated to be at approximately 273,700.
The country is a melting pot of many races and over the years the
muliti-racial make-up has risen through the influx of many people
of Central America, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean. Males outnumber
the female population only by 1%.
The
population census shows that the main ethnic groups: Mestizo, Creole,
Ketchi, Yucatec and Mopan Mayas, Garifuna and East Indian maintains
a large percent of Belize's population. Other ethnic groups: German
and Dutch Mennonites, Chinese, Arabs and Africans accounts for a
small percentage of the population. The ethnic groups, however,
are heavily intermixed.
Languages:
English is the official language of Belize. However, English Creole
is widely spoken and remains a distinctive part of everyday conversations
for most Belizeans. Spanish is also common and is taught in primary
and secondary schools in order to further develop bi-lingualism.
Spanish
is spoken as a mother tongue by the majority of the people in the
Orange Walk and Corozal Districts, north of Belize and the Cayo
District in the west, In the southern Districts: Stann Creek and
Toledo, there are people whose first language is Garifuna or Maya.
Capital:
Belmopan is the capital of the country. Built in 1970, it is the
seat of Government and has been classified as the Garden City of
the country. It was created following extensive damage to the former
capital Belize City, caused by Hurricane Hattie in 1961. Belmopan
is geographically located at the centre of the country, some 80
kilometers to the south-west of Belize City on higher ground. It
serves as a hurricane refuge for Belizeans and has the largest number
of hurricane shelters in the country. Its population today is estimated
at 11,100 and is increasing as more people relocate to the Capital.
However, Belize City still remains the hub of commercial activity
and one of the most urbanized centers of Belize with a population
of 58,000 people.
Population:
Capital:
