Said Musa
Prime Minister

(pronounced "sa-EED MOO-sa")

"Our new economic initiatives are designed to inject substantial long-term capital into export industries and tourism while ensuring that the environment is protected and that the people participate in and benefit from development."

Belize is situated on the Caribbean coast of Central America, south of Mexico and east of Guatemala. It has an area of 22,966 sq km (8,867 sq mi) and a 280-km (174-mi) coastline. The north of the country consists of limestone lowlands, the south is dominated by the Maya Mountains, and off the coast lies the world's second-largest barrier reef, with dozens of small islands. The largest town is Belize City, with some 55,000 people. Belize City (the former capital) was twice ravaged by hurricanes, in 1931 and 1961, so a new capital, Belmopan, was built inland in 1970.

The population was estimated at 263,000 in 2002, and is composed...