Belize

Belize is a parliamentary democracy and British Commonwealth country with a developing economy based primarily upon agriculture and tourism.  Tourist facilities vary in quality, from a limited number of business-class hotels in Belize City and luxury resorts in the offshore cayes (pronounced: "keys") to a range of luxury resorts, eco-tourism lodges and very basic accommodations in the countryside.  Violent crime, especially in areas of Belize City, and most recently in the Teakettle/Camalote/Roaring Creek corridor just outside Belmopan remains a serious concern.  Read the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Belize for additional information on U.S. - Belize relations.