Belize's Geography | Belize Geography
Location: Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 45 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: Total: 22,966 sq km land: 22,806 sq km water: 160 sq km
Area - comparative: Slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries: Total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Coastline: 386 km
Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: Tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Terrain: Flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Natural resources: Arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
Land use: Arable land: 2.85% permanent crops: 1.71% other: 95.44% (2001)
Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: Frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
Environment - current issues: Deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal
Environment - international agreements: Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: Only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
