Date of independence, or formation date: 1981
Date when current borders were established: 1981
National day: Sept 21
Vehicle country identifying code: BZ
Time zone (hours plus or minus from GMT): -6
International telephone dialling code: +501
Internet country identifying code: .bz

Formerly British Honduras, Belize was the last Central American country to gain its independence, in 1981. It lies on the southeastern shore of the Yucatan peninsula and shares a border with Mexico along the River Hondo. Belize is Central America's least populous country, and almost half of its land area is still forested. Its swampy coastal plains are protected from flooding by the world's second-largest barrier reef.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004