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Belize
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Belize's principal external concern has been the dispute involving the Guatemalan claim to Belizean territory. This dispute originated in Imperial Spain's claim to all "New World" territories west of the line established in the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494. Nineteenth-century efforts to resolve the problems led to later differences over interpretation and implementation of an 1859 treaty intended to establish the boundaries between Guatemala and Belize, then named British Honduras. Guatemala contends that the 1859 treaty is void because the British failed to comply with all its economic assistance clauses. Neither Spain nor Guatemala ever exercised effective sovereignty over the area.
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With a population of 200,000, Belize is the least populated nation in the Caribbean. Despite its size... the country's inhabitants represent a wide variety of ethnicities and cultures. The country's main ethnic groups are the Creoles, Garifuna (or Garinagu), Mestizo, Hispanic, Maya and English. English is the official language but Creole, Spanish, Garifuna and Mayan languages are widely spoken throughout the country. The majority of Belize's population is Roman Catholic, but British influence has resulted in sizeable and varied groups of Protestants, including German Swiss Mennonites. The Mayan practice of Catholicism fuses shamanist-animist and Christian rituals.
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The United States and Belize traditionally have had close and cordial relations. The United States is Belize's principal trading partner and major source of investment funds. It is ... home to the largest Belizean community outside Belize, estimated to be 70,000 strong. Because Belize's economic growth and accompanying democratic political stability are important U.S. objectives, Belize benefits from the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative.
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Every ethnic group in multicultural Belize has its own taste treats. Among them: Serre and hoodut, one of the best-known Garifuna dishes, which is fish cooked in coconut milk with plantains. Boil up is a Creole favorite, fish boiled with plantains, yams and potatoes, and served with a tomato sauce and boiled bread. The Maya dish most popular with tourists is pibil, pork and other meats seasoned, wrapped in banana leaf and cooked slowly in an underground oven.
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From the central and western U.S., Belize is as equally accessible and conveniently located as the Cayman Islands. There are direct daily flights from the U.S. to Belize, including flights by American Airlines and Continental, and the flying time from Houston is under two hours. Unlike Mexico and most of Central America, Belize has an advanced, quality telecommunications system, anchored by a satellite earth station in Belmopan. Most international courier services have offices in Belize.
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In 1993 archaeologists discovered evidence of a farming community in Belize dating from 2500–1100 B.C. The Mayas first settled in the area some 200 to 300 years later, and a few ancient Maya cities still survive. The region was probably traversed by Cortés on his way to Honduras, but the Spanish made no attempt at colonization. British buccaneers, who used the cays to prey on Spanish shipping, founded Belize (early 17th cent.). British settlers from Jamaica began the exploitation of timber. Spain contested British possession several times until defeated at the last battle of St. George’s Cay (1798). From 1862 to 1884 the colony was administered by the governor of Jamaica.
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Belize