Belize is a Central American country which has been an independent member of the Commonwealth since 1981.

It was heavily populated by the Mayan Indians. The country then changed hands between the British and the Spanish until it was recognised by Britain as a colony and called British Honduras in 1862.

Belize became self-governing in 1964, was renamed Belize in 1973 and was granted independence in 1981.

The Queen is the Head of State of Belize whilst the country elects its own Prime Minister, who runs the Government.