Population: 279,457 (July 2005 est.)

Capital: Belmopan

Languages: English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole

Religions: Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), other 14%, none 9.4% (2000)

Government: parliamentary democracy

Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)

Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south

Geography: only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean

Ethnic groups: mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%

Economy: In this small, essentially private enterprise economy the tourism industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 5% in 1999-2005. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors.

GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,800 (2005 est.)

GDP real growth: 3.8% (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate: 12.9% (2003)

Internet country code: .bz

Dial code: +501