Beautiful Belize Belize gained full independence as a sovereign nation on September 21, 1981. The country is a member of the Commonwealth, the United Nations, the Organization of American States and the newly-formed Association of Caribbean States. The Government of Belize operates on the principles of Parliamentary Democracy. A former British colony, the Belizean Government is very stable, with a democratic two party system. View Belize properties for sale Belize sits on the beautiful Caribbean Coast of Central America. Belize is located only two hours from the United States, with several daily flights to and from major hubs such as Miami, Houston, Dallas, and Charlotte. The climate of Belize is subtropical, with an average annual temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The weather is characterized by two seasons: a rainy and a dry season. Most of the year's rainfall occurs during the period June to August - the rainy season. The very comfortable saltwater temperatures range from 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Residents of Belize enjoy the country's relaxed pace, and its small population of 250,000 people with a wide diversity of cultures. The quality of the ground water is excellent in Belize. It is recommended that all water be filtered prior to drinking, but there is absolutely no need to filter it for bathing, washing, etc. It is completely different from Mexico in that respect. In Belize, foreigners can purchase and hold title to property, just as a Belizean would. There is absolutely no government restriction on foreign ownership. This differs from Mexico, for instance. In Mexico, foreigners may not hold title to property. Property taxes in Belize are extremely reasonable as compared to taxes in the United States, for example. As a guideline, a homeowner in the Stann Creek area with a 3500 sq. ft. home on 12 acres currently pays less than US$35 a year in property taxes! Stann Creek Area Stann Creek, a central coastal district directly south of the Belize District and home to the only Jaguar Reserve in the world, boasts some of the most sought after properties in all the Caribbean. The District is easily accessible via the scenic Hummingbird Highway. The portion of the renowned Southern Highway that runs through the Stann Creek District is completely paved, allowing for quick and comfortable access to Belize City (105 miles), Belmopan (55 miles), Placencia (45 minutes) and the rest of the country. The two local airlines (as well as charter services) operate several flights daily out of Dangriga, allowing for convenient access to the International Airport and all areas within Belize. Quick Facts Official Name: Belize Location: East Coast of Central America, bounded on the North by Mexico, on the South and West by Guatemala, and on the East by the Caribbean Sea Capital and Major Cities & Towns: (Capital) Belmopan; (City) Belize City, (Towns) San Ignacio, Corozal, Orange Walk, Dangriga, Punta Gorda, San Pedro and Benque Viejo del Carmen Climate: Subtropical Rainfall: Annual rainfall ranges from 50 inches in the North to 170 inches in the South Nationality: Belizean Official Language: English, however, Spanish and a Creole dialect are widely spoken. Total Population: Approximately 250,000 Density of Population: 25 persons per sq. km. Labor Force: approximately 90,000 Literacy Rate: 75.1% Land Area: 22,923 km. Sq. or 8,867 sq. miles Form of Government: Democratic - Bicameral Legislature Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II Governor-General: Sir Colville N. Young Sr Head of Government: Prime Minister, Hon. Said W. Musa Independence Day: September 21, 1981. Currency: Belize dollar (BZ$) Exchange Rate: US$1=Bz$2.00 Time Zone: EST -1; GMT - 6 Country Code: 501 Major International Airport: Phillip S W Goldson International, 8 miles WNW of Belize City. Entry Requirements: A valid passport is required of all visitors. Driver's Licenses and birth certificates are not approved travel documents. Passports must be valid up until time of departure. Entry visas are not required for nationals of Canada, the United States, Caricom countries and European Community member nations, provided they have a return or round trip ticket. Departure Tax: There is a US$35 departure tax payable at the airport upon departure from the country. Business Hours: Usual business hours are 8:00 am - Noon, 1:00 pm - 5:00pm. Religions: Predominantly Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Protestants. For more information on Belize, contact us at 720-493-2100 or info@islandcasa.com or go to: belizeretirement.org