The 1994 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency

(I Flourish in the Shade)

       on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland

      @Belize, Economy

      Overview:

       The economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry,

       and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming increasing

       importance. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and provides 75%

       of export earnings, while sugar, the chief crop, accounts for almost

       40% of hard currency earnings. The US, Belize's main trading partner,

       is assisting in efforts to reduce dependency on sugar with an

       agricultural diversification program.

       National product:

       GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $550 million (1993 est.)

       National product real growth rate:

       5.3% (1992)

       National product per capita:

       $2,700 (1993 est.)

       Inflation rate (consumer prices):

       5.5% (1991)

       Unemployment rate:

       15% (1992 est.)

       Budget:

       revenues:

       $126.8 million

       expenditures:

       $123.1 million, including capital expenditures of $44.8 million (FY91

       est.)

       Exports:

       $116 million (f.o.b., 1992)

       commodities:

       sugar, citrus, clothing, fish products, bananas, molasses, wood

       partners:

       US 51%, UK, other EC (1992)

       Imports:

       $273 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)

       commodities:

       machinery and transportation equipment, food, manufactured goods,

       fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals

       partners:

       US 57%, UK 8%, other EC 7%, Mexico (1992)

       External debt:

       $143.7 million (1991)

       Industrial production:

       growth rate 3.7% (1990); accounts for 12% of GDP

       Electricity:

       capacity:

       34,532 kW

       production:

       90 million kWh

       consumption per capita:

       393 kWh (1992)

       Industries:

       garment production, citrus concentrates, sugar refining, rum,

       beverages, tourism

       Agriculture:

       accounts for 30% of GDP (including fish and forestry); commercial

       crops include sugar cane, bananas, coca, citrus fruits; expanding

       output of lumber and cultured shrimp; net importer of basic foods

       Illicit drugs:

       transshipment point for cocaine; an illicit producer of cannabis for

       the international drug trade; eradication program cut marijuana

       production from 200 metric tons in 1987 to about 50 metric tons in

       1991

       Economic aid:

       recipient:

       US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70–89), $104 million; Western

       (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970–89), $215

       million

       Currency:

       1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents

       Exchange rates:

       Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1 - 2.00 (fixed rate)

       Fiscal year:

       1 April - 31 March

      @Belize, Communications

      Highways:

       total:

       2,710 km

       paved:

       500 km

       unpaved:

       gravel 1,600 km; improved earth 300 km; unimproved earth 310 km

       Inland waterways:

       825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable

       Ports:

       Belize City; additional ports for shallow draught craft include

       Corozol, Punta Gorda, Big Creek

       Merchant marine:

       25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 53,509 GRT/80,345 DWT, bulk 6,

       cargo 11, container 2, oil tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2,

       roll-on/roll-off cargo 3

       Airports:

       total:

       47

       usable:

       38

       with permanent-surface runways:

       3

       with runways over 3,659 m:

       0

       with runways 2,440–3,659 m:

       1

       with runways 1,229–2,439 m:

       3

       Telecommunications:

       8,650 telephones; above-average system based on microwave radio relay;

       broadcast stations - 6 AM, 5 FM, 1 TV, 1 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean

       INTELSAT earth station

      @Belize, Defense Forces

      Branches:

       British Forces Belize withdrawn by the end of 1993 except for a small

       training detachment, Belize Defense Force (including Army, Navy, Air

       Force, and Volunteer Guard), Belize National Police

       Manpower availability:

       males age 15–49 48,789; fit for military service 29,040; reach

       military age (18) annually 2,175 (1994 est.)

       Defense expenditures:

       exchange rate conversion - $4.8 million, 1.8% of GDP (1992)

      @Benin, Geography

      Location:

       Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Nigeria and

       Togo

       Map references:

       Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World

       Area:

       total area:

       112,620 sq km

       land area:

       110,620 sq km

       comparative area:

       slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

       Land boundaries:

       total 1,989 km, Burkina 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644

       km

       Coastline:

       121 km

       Maritime claims:

       territorial sea: