The Government of Belize - The World Countries

Belize - Government

Based on the etymolgy of Belize, it was may be named for the Belize River, whose name possibly derives from the Maya word "belix," meaning "muddy-watered". The Government system in this country is the parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo

National symbols

Baird's tapir (a large, browsing, forest-dwelling mammal), keel-billed toucan, Black Orchid; national colors: red, blue.

The flag

The National flag of Belize has royal 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

The National Anthem

Title	Land of the Free
Lyric/music	Samuel Alfred HAYNES/Selwyn Walford YOUNG

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

More about the government of Belize

Constitution
Date of Independence	21 September 1981 (from the UK)
National holiday	Battle of St. George's Caye Day (National Day), 10 September (1798); Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Legal system	English common law
International law organization participation	has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
History	Previous 1954, 1963 (preindependence); latest signed and entered into force 21 September 1981; note - in July 2022, the government introduced a bill to establish the People's Constitutional Commission to review the constitution and to provide recommendations to the National Assembly
Amendments	Proposed and adopted by two-thirds majority vote of the National Assembly House of Representatives except for amendments relating to rights and freedoms, changes to the Assembly, and to elections and judiciary matters, which require at least three-quarters majority vote of the House; both types of amendments require assent of the governor general; amended several times, last in 2017
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth	yes
Citizenship by descent only	yes
Dual citizenship recognized	yes
Residency requirement for naturalization	5 years
Executive Branch
Chief of state	King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Froyla TZALAM (since 27 May 2021)
Head of government	Prime Minister John BRICEÑO (since 12 November 2020)
Cabinet	Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among members of the National Assembly
Elections/appointments	the monarchy is hereditary; governor-general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor-general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Legislative branch
Legislature name	National Assembly
Legislative structure	Bicameral
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 10 justices); note - in 2010, Belize acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London
Judge selection and term of office	Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor-general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader; other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75; in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year
Subordinate courts	Magistrates' Courts; Family Court
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Lynn Raymond YOUNG (since 7 July 2021)
Chancery	2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008-2826
Telephone	[1] (202) 332-9636
FAX	[1] (202) 332-6888
Email address and website	[email protected] https://www.belizeembassyusa.mfa.gov.bz/
Consulate(s) general	Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Michelle KWAN (since 5 December 2022)
Embassy	4 Floral Park Road, Belmopan, Cayo
Mailing address	3050 Belmopan Place, Washington DC 20521-3050
Telephone	(501) 822-4011
FAX	(501) 822-4012
Email address and website	[email protected] https://bz.usembassy.gov/
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites	1 (natural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales	Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System