Belizean History Study GuideTest #1

Locating HomeCoordinates are a system of imaginary lines, which are catalogued into lines of latitude and longitude.

Lines of longitude Lines of latitudeRun from North to South Run from West to EastAre vertical lines Are horizontal linesdivide the earth into East and West

Divide the earth into North and South

Prime Meridian equator

Central America

The world is also divided into continents: Americas (North, South), Asia, Antarctica, Africa, Europe, and Australia.

Our country is within the area that connects North America and South America. Between both of these continents an area considered the geological bridge. Its location is home to Belize and Central America.Belize is located at 17°15' north of the equator and 88°45' west of the Prime Meridian on the Yucatán Peninsula and has a total territory of 8866 square miles.

Climate in BelizeSub-tropic region, we have two seasons dry (March-June) and wet (June- November)Northerlies = are cold fronts that bring cool temperatures, choppy seas, and heavy rains.

The Economic systems of BelizeThe basic resources of an economy are: land, labor (people), and capital (investment)

The three levels of our economyPrimary, secondary, tertiary sector, Primary Secondary tertiary-uses natural resources-land/agriculture-e.g agriculture Fishing Forestry

-Manufacturing-transforming natural resources into useful goods- Belize is not a major industrial nation because we are a small country

-service sector- provides the servicesa country needs-e.g nurses, teachers, Labourers, tourism

Tourism -e.g pepper sauce, jams, fresh juice

Belize National Symbols-Independence is freedom from being governed or ruled by another country.As a result our national symbols were created.Flag: royal blue, white and red in colour, coat of arms in the middleCoat of Arms:

the base of the shield represents a ship in full sail Upper section portrays the tools used within the timber industry Shield is held by two woodcutters “sub Umbra floreo” (under the shade I flourish) 50 leaves represents the years of struggle for independence (1950’s)

National Animal: Mountain cow (tapir), dusty brown, can weigh up to 550 pounds, National Bird: keel-billed toucan, about 20 inches longNational Anthem: “Land of the Free” taken from the poem “Land of the gods” by Samuel Alfred Haynes. The composer is Selwyn Walford YoungNationalism: love for your country

Belize’s government system

-The Constitution is the supreme law of Belize and if any other law is inconsistent with this Constitution that other law shall, to the extent be void

-are laws created by the government. They were created on 1981 September 20th

-the branches of government include: the legislative, executive, judiciary

- The Legislative branch: it is the branch of government that is referred to as the national assembly or parliament (A.K.A legislative assembly, legislature).