Belize Presentation By Terryl Lindsey Presented to Drs. Lynna and Floyd Ausburn

Geographic Location Belize is situated on the Caribbean Sea, south of Mexico and east and north of Guatemala in Central America. In area, it is about the size of New Hampshire. Most of the country is heavily forested with various hardwoods. Mangrove swamps and cays along the coast give way to hills and mountains in the interior. The highest point is Victoria Peak, 3,681 ft (1,122 m).

History The Mayan civilization spread into the area of Belize between 1500 B.C. and A.D. 300 and flourished until about European contact began in 1502 when Columbus sailed along the coast. The first recorded European settlement was begun by shipwrecked English seamen in – Over the next 150 years, more English settlements were established. This period was also marked by piracy, indiscriminate logging, and sporadic attacks by Indians and neighboring Spanish settlements. Belize became independent on Sept. 21, Guatemala, which had made claims on the territory since the 1800s, refused to recognize it. British troops remained in the country to defend it. Although the dispute between Guatemala and Great Britain remained unresolved, Guatemala recognized Belize's sovereignty in Sept – Guatemala, however, still claims more than half of Belize’s territory.

Population/Demographics Population – 327,719 (July 2012 est.) Age Structure – 0-14 years: 36.3% (male 60,730/female 58,313) – years: 21.2% (male 35,359/female 34,058) – years: 34.6% (male 57,275/female 56,220) – years: 4.3% (male 7,049/female 7,043) – 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 5,538/female 6,134) (2012 est.) Major Infectious Deseases Degree of Risk High – food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever – vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria – water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009) Hospital Bed Density – 1.1 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Political, Economic, Socio-Cultural Description Parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Legal System – English common law Chief of State – Queen Elizabeth II Head of Government – Prime Minister Dean Barrow Economic – Labor Force agriculture: 10.2% industry: 18.1% services: 71.7% – Population living below poverty line. 41.3% – Unemployment Rate 11.3% – Budget Surplus 0% of GDP – Public Debt 90.8% of GDP

Education System Pre-school Education – Caters to children between the ages of 3 and 5 years. It is community supported and is not compulsory, but is becoming more widespread as its benefits are recognized by parents.

Primary Education Primary education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 and 14 years. The eight-year program is devided into infant grades (I-II) and junior grades (III-VII or standards I-VI)

Secondary Education Includes four-year schools offering general education (in most cases including an element of vocational-technical education) and vocational or trade schools offering courses in basic trades.

Business Customs and Practices Greetings: – For men greeting men – Men in typically have a simple oral exchange which would be accompanied by a handshake in a formal or semi-formal setting. If the men have had prior dealings or know each other well, they might also pat a shoulder or initiate some similar physical contact in greeting each other. – For women greeting women -, women similarly tend to have an oral exchange or shake hands if the meeting takes place in a formal or semi-formal setting. If the women have had prior dealings or know each other well, then the greeting might also involve hugs and perhaps a brief touching/ cheek to cheek or a light kiss on the cheek. – For meetings between men and women – The manner of greeting in meetings between men and women would be the same as between men greeting men and women greeting women in formal or semi-formal settings. Oral exchanges or a handshake would be the norm. Greetings between men and women once the individuals develop greater familiarity or a working relationship might also be expanded to a light hug, a brief touching of cheeks or even a light kiss on the cheek. For meetings between men and women – The manner of greeting in meetings between men and women would be the same as between men greeting men and women greeting women in formal or semi-formal settings. Oral exchanges or a handshake would be the norm. Greetings between men and women once the individuals develop greater familiarity or a working relationship might also be expanded to a light hug, a brief touching of cheeks or even a light kiss on the cheek.

Business Customs and Practices Dress – Dress for both men and women is typically casual. – For Men - Men often wear cotton or khaki long pants and collared or knit shirts. Sandals (other than flip-flops) are acceptable. – For Women - Cotton or khaki long pants, capri length pants and shirts or knit tops of all kinds. Sandals are acceptable.

Business Customs and Practices Gift Giving – Gifts are generally not expected in business situations. – If invited to Belizean’s house, it is appropriate to bring wine, spirits, or some type of dessert.

Business Customs and Practices Hampering Business Factors – Negotiations--Decisions tend to be reached from the top down and can take awhile. Be prepared to have several meetings to reach a final decision. – Corruption – Drug Trafficking

Thank You