panish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib),
Creole

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 70.3%
male: 70.3%
female: 70.3% (1991 est.)
note: other sources list the literacy rate as high as 75%

@Belize:Government

Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Belize
former: British Honduras

Data code: BH

Government type: parliamentary democracy

Capital: Belmopan

Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange
Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo

Independence: 21 September 1981 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1981)

Constitution: 21 September 1981

Legal system: English law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November
1993)
head of government: Prime Minister Said MUSA (since 27 August 1998);
Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September 1998)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of
the prime minister
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed
by the monarch; governor general appoints the member of the House of
Representatives who is leader of the majority party to be prime
minister

Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate
(eight members, five appointed on the advice of the prime minister,
two on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one by the
governor general; members are appointed for five-year terms); and the
House of Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct
popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held 27 August 1998 (next
to be held NA August 2003)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUP
26, UDP 3

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by the
governor general on advice of the prime minister

Political parties and leaders: People's United Party or PUP [Said
MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP

Political pressure groups and leaders: Society for the Promotion of
Education and Research or SPEAR ; United Worker's Front

International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC,
FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer),
ITU, LAES, NAM,