Belize's abundance of terrestrial and marine plants and animals and its diversity of ecosystems, including extensive coral reefs, give it a key place in the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.[15] It is considered a Central American and Caribbean nation with strong ties to both the American and Caribbean regions.[16]
It has an area of 22,970 square kilometres (8,867 sq mi) and a population of 397,483 (2022).[17] Its mainland is about 290 km (180 mi) long and 110 km (68 mi) wide. It is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America. Its population growth rate of 1.87% per year (2018 estimate) is the second-highest in the region and one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Its capital is Belmopan, and its largest city is the namesake city of Belize City. The country has a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages. It is the only Central American country where English is the official language, while Belizean Creole is the most widely spoken dialect. Spanish is the second-most-commonly-spoken language, followed by the Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna. Over half the population is multilingual due to the diverse linguistic backgrounds of the population. It is known for its September Celebrations and punta music.[18][19]
^Belize (11 March 1947). "Definition of Time Act"(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2020. Unusually, the legislation states that standard time is six hours later than Greenwich mean time.
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^Ryan, Jennifer (1995). "The Garifuna and Creole culture of Belize explosion of punta rock". In Will Straw; Stacey Johnson; Rebecca Sullivan; Paul Friedlander; Gary Kennedy (eds.). Popular Music: Style and Identity. Centre for Research on Canadian Cultural Industries and Institutions. pp. 243–248. ISBN978-0771704598.