| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | BZISO 3166 [2024] |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | BLZISO 3166 [2024] |
| Capital | BelmopanGeoNames [2024] |
| Continent | North AmericaGeoNames [2024] |
| Common name | BelizeCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Official name | No authoritative open source found |
| Local name | BelizeCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Etymology | traditionally believed to be derived from the Spanish pronunciation of the last name of Scottish explorer Peter Wallace, who settled in the area in 1638; alternatively, may be named for the Belize River, whose name possibly derives from the Maya word "belix," meaning "muddy-watered"CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Government type | parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realmCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Independence | 21 September 1981 (from the UK)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National holiday | Battle of St. George's Caye Day (National Day), 10 September (1798); Independence Day, 21 September (1981)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Head of state | Froyla TZALAM (Governor Gen.)CIA World Leaders [2025] |
| Currency code (ISO 4217) | BZDISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Currency | Belize DollarISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Administrative subdivisions | 6ISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Subdivision names | Belize / Cayo / Corozal / Orange Walk / Stann Creek / ToledoISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Historical overview | No authoritative open source found |
| National symbols | Baird's tapir (a large forest-dwelling mammal), keel-billed toucan, black orchidCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National anthem | title: "God Save the King"; lyrics/music: unknown; history: royal anthem, as a Commonwealth countryCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National colors | red, blueCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Citizenship rules | citizenship by birth: yes; citizenship by descent only: yes; dual citizenship recognized: yes; residency requirement for naturalization: 5 yearsCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
traditionally believed to be derived from the Spanish pronunciation of the last name of Scottish explorer Peter Wallace, who settled in the area in 1638; alternatively, may be named for the Belize River, whose name possibly derives from the Maya word "belix," meaning "muddy-watered"
description: royal blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; the coat of arms is on a large white disk at the center and shows a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree, with the motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom; a green garland of 50 mahogany leaves rings the coat of arms meaning: the figures, the mahogany tree, and the garland refer to the logging industry that led the British to settle Belize; blue and red are the colors of the two main political parties
Source: CIA World Factbook (Historical Archive — final edition) · CC0 · Edition 2026-05
