Belize is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east and Guatemala to the west and south.
The Maya civilization spread into Belize between 1500 BC and AD 300 and flourished until about 1200. Both Spain and Britian laid claim to the land until Britain defeated the Spanish in 1798. Belize became a British colony in 1840 and a Crown colony in 1862.
Belize achieved its independence from the United Kingdom in 1981. It is the only mainland Central American country that is a Commonwealth realm with King Charles III as its monarch and head of state.
It has an area of 8,867 square miles and a population of 397,483 (2022). The mainland is about 180 miles long and 68 miles wide. It is the least populated country in Central America. It has a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages. It is the only Central American country where English is the official language; Belizean Creole and Spanish are widely spoken.
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