POPULATION:
401,401
LITERACY RATE:
66%
SELF DEFENSE FORCES:
Argentinian National Military Forces
LANGUAGES:
Spanish, Creole, Mayan dialects, English (official), Garifuna, German,
ETHNIC GROUPS:
mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%
BORDERING COUNTRIES:
Urugua, Bolivia, Chile, Paragua, Brazil
BELIZE - A small country against the Caribbean Sea which borders Mexico and Guatemala. Belize was once the site of several major Mayan cities and their ruins still stand, creating an open market for tourism and foreigners concerned with Archaeology. Recently it has become a haven for crime and the drug trade. The Queen of the United Kingdom was considered the head of the Executive branch at one time, but it has fallen from close contact with Britain after the old MLA days. Belize is a country that underwent some covert military actions during the early Central and South American war days and mostly cooperated with the United States in their anti-narcotics activity, although is now a haven for retired drug lords. It is a tropical paradise that is slowly being cut away by Agricorps, unconcerned with the history of this majestic land. It is a melting pot of many different cultures with a variety of goals and can be prone to violence despite its deceivingly serene exterior.

Belize formerly had ties to the old British Monarchy, but during the Martial Law Authority takeover and abolishment of the Monarchy, Belize became independent of Britain and more secluded in the world’s eye. During this time, after 2016, it slowly accumulated Cartel leaders and Rebels tired of war from “Hot zones,” such as Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala, who moved to Belize and began to make it their permanent retirement home. Their power and money slowly turned Belize into a corrupt shell of its former self, taking the positions of power left vacant by British officials. While still a haven for Tourists and Businessmen from Britain, it became a major hub of narcotics trafficking and many overseas alliances were forged, temporarily making the United Kingdom a major pipeline for drugs in Europe during the MLA days through the syndicate shell companies of the Firm. As the Monarchy was restored, a revolution by the people was made and still continues, for the reinstatement of the charismatic new English Queen as the head of state. Old powers that’ve been entrenched in Parliament during the MLA days have vied for remaining independent and keep their positions through fear and death squad tactics.

Belize has a trade agreement for military arms with the United Kingdom and has much of the same standard equipment as is used by the British military. It also has a defense contract with Militech for training and supplying their troops. A large chunk of the military is heavily corrupt and susceptible to bribes from government officials and retired Cartel and Rebel leaders. Primarily the Military spends its time working half-heartedly as Customs Agents and policing rural areas.

One of the major economic controversies in Belize is the Agricorp activities being done in the Rain Forests and one that has created many political protests against the IMA. Many sections of forest are clear-cut for use to grow wheat and other grains, including corn for use in making CHOOH2 fuels. Controversy among international ecological groups comes from IMA’s use of the Titan Prime Mover vehicles to level entire hills and landscapes into flatland for farming. It is rumored that the Titans have actually destroyed some historical Mayan ruins and if proven, it would be a media scandal of international news. Other fruits and crops are major exports of Belize to the UK and other parts of Europe.

Belize is a major Tourist hub, despite many of its dangers, Cartels and government death squads try to keep their activities out of the sight of foreigners and only cross the line if there is a chance of their horrendous activities reaching the ears of the international news networks. Trade and ecological development is maintained heavily with Honduras and a joint defense treaty has been signed. New construction for Tourist hotels and high-tech jungle resorts, complete with air conditioning and nice views of the jungle, are constantly being built to bring in foreign dollars.

Foreign debt has reached unmanageable levels and Belize is fully in the pocket of the World Bank and suffers large income disparity from the issues with the local economy. Unemployment is one of the highest in all of South America, creating a very large population of Nomads and out-of-work farmers. Several guerilla groups operate in the jungles of Belize, promoting a variety of issues, from reuniting with the United Kingdom to promotion of communist farming measures.

The black market is a heavy part of the Belizean Economy and finding weapons, drugs, and modern gray-technology items are not unreasonable provided one has the money and the right contacts. Flashing too much money in Belize is always sure to attract someone higher up on the food chain that may not have your best interests at heart.

Belize is located between the Hondo and Sarstoon Rivers, with the Belize River flowing down in the centre of the country. The north of Belize consists mostly of flat, swampy coastal plains, in places heavily forested. The flora is highly diverse considering the small geographical area. The south contains the low mountain range of the Maya Mountains. The highest point in Belize is Doyle's Delight at 1,124 m. (3,688 feet). The Caribbean coast is lined with a coral reef and some 450 islets and islands known locally as cayes (pronounced "keys"), forming the approximately 200 mile (322 km) long Belize Barrier Reef, the longest in the western hemisphere and the second longest in the world after the Great Barrier Reef. Three of the four coral atolls in the Western Hemisphere are also located off the coast of Belize. Belize is also the only Central American country without a coast on the Pacific Ocean. The climate is tropical and generally very hot and humid. The rainy season lasts from May to November and hurricanes and floods are frequent natural hazards.

Belize currently suffers many ecological issues from deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal.

Belize boasts a rich mix of ethnicities including Creole, Maya, Mestizo, East Indian, Chinese, Garifuna and Mennonite. Among its other cultural attractions, it has thousands of Maya archaeological temples. Belize is the only country in Central America without a pacific coastline and also the only one with English as its official language. According to the most recent vegetation surveys, about fifty percent (50%) of Belize's land mass is forested, with only about twenty percent (25%) of the country's land subject to human uses (i.e. agricultural land and human settlements), although this number is changing with IMA’s efforts. Savannas, scrublands and wetlands constitute extensive parts of the nation's land cover. The country also possesses the largest cave system in Central America. As a result, Belize's biodiversity is rich, both marine and terrestrial, with a host of flora and fauna. About thirty-seven percent (30%) of Belize's land territory falls under some form of official protected status. As such conservation activities remain an important priority in government policy with the notable example of having the only jaguar reserve in the world among its protected areas. However, Belize is best known for its marine environment, in particular, for having the longest living barrier reef in the western hemisphere and the second longest contiguous reef in the world after Australia. Consequently, divers flock to Belize to enjoy its underwater attractions. Belize, as a consequence of its medley of cultural attractions, unique marine and terrestrial biodiversity, and conservation efforts, is fast becoming a hotspot for travelers seeking eco-tourism and adventure vacation experiences.

Mennonite communities in Belize have begun to rally together in order to stave off the influx of modern technology and those who would utilize cyberware and high tech weaponry, such as Cartel troopers and Government mercenaries. Their methods are crude, but since they mostly live in rural areas, they have begun to form “Community Defense,” groups which patrol the countryside. Those found with cyberware in Mennonite territory may find themselves at the painful end of a set of crudely fashioned tools, as Mennonites will do you the favor of removing that satanic technology from your body. It is thought that they may have ties to the Inquisitors group in modern America, although it is likely that the Mennonites of Belize are simply used in Propaganda for that group as “fighting the good fight.”
When traveling into Belize, visitors are allowed to bring what they need during their stay, within reason: up to twenty Imperial ounces of liquor, 200 cigarettes, and one bottle of perfume may be brought in duty free. Hunting Rifles can be brought into the country with a permit costing $200 BZ. No handguns are permitted. Unless arrangements are made in advance, firearms and narcotics are confiscated. A gun permit takes 3 days to acquire.


(Written by Joe "Citizen X" Klemann: Some Information is taken from the CIA Worldfactbook, Wikipedia, Geographia.com, and Cyberpunk 2020.)