Читать книгу The 2010 CIA World Factbook - United States. Central Intelligence Agency - Страница 191

Flag description:

blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland of 50 mahogany leaves; the colors are those of the two main political parties: blue for the PUP and red for the UDP; various elements of the coat of arms - the figures, the tools, the mahogany tree, and the garland of leaves - recall the logging industry that led to British settlement of Belize

note: Belize's flag is the only national flag that depicts human beings; two British overseas territories, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands, also depict humans

National anthem:

name: "Land of the Free"

lyrics/music: Samuel Alfred HAYNES/Selwyn Walford YOUNG

note: adopted 1981; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

Economy ::Belize

Economy - overview:

In this small, essentially private-enterprise economy, tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by exports of marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999–2007, though growth slipped to 3.8% in 2008, 0% in 2009, and 1.5% in 2010 as a result of the global slowdown, natural disasters, and the drop in the price of oil. Oil discoveries in 2006 bolstered economic growth. Exploration efforts continue and production increased a small amount in 2009. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and heavy foreign debt burden. In February 2007, the government restructured nearly all of its public external commercial debt, which helped reduce interest payments and relieved some of the country's liquidity concerns. A key objective remains the reduction of poverty and inequality with the help of international donors.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.652 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $2.613 billion (2009 est.)

$2.613 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$1.431 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 0% (2009 est.)

3.6% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$8,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 $8,500 (2009 est.)

$8,700 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 29%

industry: 16.9%

services: 54.1% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

120,500 country comparison to the world: 179 note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2008 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 10.2%

industry: 18.1%

services: 71.7% (2007 est.)

Unemployment rate:

13.1% (2009) country comparison to the world: 137 8.2% (2008)

Population below poverty line:

33.5% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Investment (gross fixed):

26.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 −1.1% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

12% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 31 12% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

14.08% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 14.14% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$389.5 million (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 161 $336.5 million (31 December 2009 est)

Stock of broad money:

$1.351 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $1.084 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit:

$1.291 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 $1.036 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares: