British settlers arrived in what was then Belize at the end of the seventeenth century. They found a logwood export business and it thrived. After Guatemala broke away from the United Provinces of Central America in 1838, it claimed British Honduras as an inheritance from Spain. A treaty recognizing Belize’s territoriality was signed between Guatemala and Britain in 1860. British Honduras became a colony of Britain in 1862. British Honduras attained self-government in 1964.
Belize’s road to membership in the United Nations was made difficult by a territorial dispute with its neighbor, Guatemala. The dispute has manifested itself in various incarnations and continues even after a peace agreement in Guatemala after many years of civil war.
Click for the National Anthem of Belize
Belize started actively seeking independence in 1975, tabling a resolution at the United Nations. Support for Belize’s independence efforts came slowly but surely until Guatemala stood alone. A Security Council- resolution recommending Belize’s admission to the United Nations and a General Assembly resolution admitting Belize to membership in the United Nations were adopted in 1981.
Belize got independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1981 and became a member of the United Nations four days later on 25 September 1981.
People
The population of approximately 321,115 people consists of a mixture of Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, Spanish, Maya, English, Mennonite, Lebanese, Chinese, and Eastern Indian.
Language
English is the official language of Belize, although Spanish, Creole, Garifuna, and Mayan are widely spoken throughout the country.
