Bahamas

Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Mancomunidad de las Bahamas
Flag of the Bahamas.svg
Bandera

Coat of arms of the Bahamas.svg

Escudo
Lema: Forward Upward Onward Together
(Ingls: Adelante Arriba Progreso Juntos)
Himno: March On, Bahamaland
noicon
Problemas al reproducir este archivo?
LocationBahamas.svg
Capital
(y ciudad ms poblada)

Nasu

254 N 7720 O
Idiomas oficiales
Gentilicio

Ingls

Bahameo, -a

Forma de gobierno Monarqua parlamentaria

Reina

Isabel II

Gobernador general

Marguerite Pindling

Primer ministro Perry Christie

rgano legislativo Parlamento de Bahamas
Independencia
Fecha

del Reino Unido

10 de julio de 1973
Superficie

Puesto 155.

 Total

13,940 km

Agua (%) 28%

Fronteras

0 km

Lnea de costa

3.542 km

Punto ms alto

Monte Alvernia

Poblacin total

Puesto 178.

Censo

368 000 (2 013 est,) hab.

Densidad 22 hab./km
PIB (PPA)

Puesto 144.

Total (2008)

US$9.228 millones

Per cpita US$27.394

IDH (2013) Sin cambios 0,7891 (51.) Alto
Moneda

Dlar bahameo (BSD)

Huso horarioCET (UTC-5)

En verano CEST (UTC-4)
Cdigo ISO 044 / BHS / BS
Dominio internet

.bs

Prefijo telefnico

+1242

Prefijo radiofnico C6A-C6Z

Cdigo del COI

BAH

Miembro de: CARICOM, comunidad iberoamericana, OEA, ONU, AEC.

[editar datos en Wikidata]
Las Bahamas, oficialmente la Mancomunidad de las Bahamas (en ingls:
Commonwealth of the Bahamas), es un pas constituido por ms de 700 islas
(de las cuales, 24 estn habitadas y ms de 600 deshabitadas), cayos e islotes
en el Ocano Atlntico; al norte de Cuba y Repblica Dominicana, noroeste de
Islas Turcas y Caicos, al sureste del estado estadounidense de Florida y al este
de los Cayos de la Florida. Su capital es Nassau situada en la isla de New
Providence. Geogrficamente las Bahamas forman junto con las Islas Turcas y

Caicos el Archipilago de las Lucayas, tambin denominado por extensin

Bahamas. Por manifiesto de la Real Fuerza de Defensa de las Bahamas, el
territorio de las Bahamas ocupa 180.000 millas cuadradas de espacio ocenico,
si bien las medidas oficiales les aportaran mucho ms espacio econmico.

Originalmente habitadas por los lucayos, una rama de la etnia taina, las
Bahamas fueron el sitio donde Cristbal Coln arrib en su primer viaje al
Nuevo Mundo en 1492. Luego fueron colonizadas por los espaoles desde 1513
hasta 1648, cuando colonos ingleses procedentes de la isla de Bermudas se
establecieron en la isla de Eleuthera.

Las Bahamas se convirtieron en una colonia de la corona britnica en 1718,

cuando los britnicos prohibieron la piratera. Despus de la Guerra de
Independencia de Estados Unidos, miles de estadounidenses leales a la corona
britnica se asentaron en las islas junto con sus esclavos, lo que llev a una
economa basada en las plantaciones. Despus de que Gran Bretaa prohibiera
el comercio de esclavos en 1807, la Royal Navy llev muchos de los nuevos
esclavos ilegales africanos a las Bahamas durante el siglo XIX. Cientos de
esclavos escaparon de las islas hacia Florida, y cerca de 500 fueron liberados
desde barcos mercantes norteamericanos. La esclavitud qued abolida en las
Bahamas en 1834. An hoy gran parte de la poblacin es descendiente de
estos esclavos liberados. Las Bahamas alcanzaron su independencia como
Monarqua en la Mancomunidad de Naciones en 1973.

En trminos de renta per cpita, las Bahamas es uno de los pases ms ricos de
Amrica (por detrs de Estados Unidos y Canad).2

ndice [ocultar]
1 Toponimia
2 Historia
3 Poltica
3.1 Derechos humanos
4 Organizacin territorial
5 Geografa

5.1 Clima
6 Economa
7 Demografa
8 Cultura
9 Smbolos nacionales
9.1 Bandera
9.2 Escudo de armas
10 Deporte
11 Vase tambin
12 Referencias
13 Enlaces externos
Toponimia[editar]
Inicialmente el archipilago recibi por parte de los espaoles el nombre de la
poblacin epnima de los lucayos, siendo as llamado islas Lucayas. Los
primeros habitantes de las islas Lucayas tambin son conocidos como los
indios Arawak, que se cree que fueron los primeros pobladores de la isla. 3 Se
considera que el nombre de "Bahamas" proviene de una deformacin de las
palabras del espaol bajamar, ya que gran parte de los islotes de este
archipilago solo son avistables durante la marea baja o bajamar.

Historia[editar]
Artculo principal: Historia de las Bahamas
Las islas estuvieron ocupadas, desde al menos quinientos aos antes de la
llegada de los europeos, por un grupo de personas llamadas lucayanos,
descendientes de los aborgenes arahuacos, que vivan originalmente al norte
de Sudamrica, en las islas del Caribe y en Florida. stos se caracterizaban por
tener una vida apacible y por vivir de la pesca y del cultivo del maz.

En 1492 Cristbal Coln desembarc en la orilla de una pequea isla, llamada

Guanahani por los autctonos. Coln le puso el nombre de San Salvador y

reclam la isla para Espaa. All, Coln someti a los lucayos al trabajo de la
bsqueda de oro. Se estima que 40 000 arahuacos perdieron la vida por
resistirse a trabajar en esa empresa. La posterior desaparicin de los
arahuacos, en tan solo veinticinco aos, y de otros pueblos, se debi en gran
medida a sta y a posteriores expediciones europeas a la regin.

Desde finales del siglo XV hasta finales del siglo XVIII, las Bahamas estuvieron
bajo soberana espaola, aunque las islas, por su situacin estratgica en la
"ruta del Galen", y por formar el archipilago un autntico laberinto insular,
paulatinamente fueron transformndose en escondites y nidos de piratas,
bucaneros y filibusteros, especialmente ingleses. As en el siglo XVIII, los
lealistas britnicos que haban dejado Nueva Inglaterra, a causa de los
sentimientos anti britnicos existentes en aquella colonia, se trasladaron a las
islas. Debido al gran nmero de colonos britnicos en las islas, la soberana del
archipilago se traspas de Espaa al Reino Unido, y las Bahamas fueron
declaradas colonia britnica en 1784.

En plena Segunda Guerra Mundial, el Duque de Windsor (anteriormente el rey

del Reino Unido Eduardo VIII) fue nombrado Gobernador general de las
Bahamas viaj a esas islas en compaa de su esposa, la duquesa de Windsor
Wallis Simpson, en 1940 para ejercer ese cargo de Gobernador general hasta
1945. En 1973, los habitantes de las Bahamas votaron a favor de la
independencia y se declararon independientes del Reino Unido, aunque
permanecieron dentro de la Mancomunidad Britnica de Naciones
(Commonwealth).

Poltica[editar]
Artculo principal: Poltica de las Bahamas

Parlamento de Bahamas, localizado en Nassau.

Las Bahamas es una monarqua constitucional hereditaria que pertenece a la
Mancomunidad de Naciones, o Mancomunidad Britnica de Naciones. El
monarca britnico, como jefe de Estado, es quien designa a su representante
en el lugar, el Gobernador general. El poder ejecutivo es ejercido por el
Gabinete, a cuya cabeza se encuentra el primer ministro, institucin que
aparece en 1955 con las primeras elecciones parlamentarias en el archipilago.

El poder legislativo recae en un sistema de parlamento bicameral. Est

compuesto por diecisis miembros del Senado (nombrados por el Gobernador
general) y cuarenta miembros de la Cmara de Representantes, elegidos
directamente por la poblacin.

El Consejo Privado del Comit Judicial de Su Majestad es la ms alta corte en

las Bahamas; le sigue la Corte de Apelaciones, la Corte Suprema, con doce
jueces, y las Cortes de Magistrados.

Los partidos polticos principales son el Movimiento Nacional Libre (Free

National Movement - FNM) y el Partido Liberal Progresista (Progressive Liberal
Party - PLP).

Derechos humanos[editar]
En materia de derechos humanos, respecto a la pertenencia en los siete
organismos de la Carta Internacional de Derechos Humanos, que incluyen al
Comit de Derechos Humanos (HRC), Bahamas ha firmado o ratificado:
Nicolette Bethel es una de las Bahamas profesor, escritor y antroplogo . Fue Directora de
Cultura en las Bahamas, [ 1 ] y ahora es profesor de tiempo completo en las ciencias sociales en
el Colegio de las Bahamas . [ 2 ]
Contenido
[ ocultar ]

1 Vida

2 "Nosotros la gente" y patriotismo de Bethel

3 Referencias

4 Enlaces externos

Vida [ editar ]
Estudi en el Trinity College de la Universidad de Toronto y en el Corpus Christi
College , Cambridge , donde obtuvo un doctorado en Social Antropologa en 2000. [ 3 ]

Mientras que ella ha publicado varios poemas y cuentos, y co-escrito y co-producido varias
obras de teatro para los teatros de las Bahamas, que est sin duda el ms conocido como un
experto de Junkanoo , un festival de Bahamas en la Navidad.
Ella es tambin el editor y expansor del libro de su padre sobre el festival: E. Clemente
Betel ; Junkanoo: Festival de las Bahamas ( Macmillan Caribe 1992, ISBN 0-333-55469-8 ).

"We The People" y patriotismo de Bethel [ editar ]

Primero estableci el 16 de noviembre del 2010, "nosotros el pueblo" es una organizacin sin
fines de lucro dirigida por Ed Fields y un grupo de personas de las Bahamas comnmente
conocido como el "Primer Treinta". [ 4 ] El principal incentivo de esta organizacin es para crear
cambios positivos y la mejora en las Bahamas. [ 4 ] Convertirse en un miembro de "Nosotros la
gente" es sencilla, ya que es "abierto a estudiantes, acadmicos, profesionales de negocios,
funcionarios pblicos jubilados, otras instituciones y asociaciones, el pblico en general, y
cualquier persona que ama las Bahamas ".

[4]

El amor de Nicolette Bethel para las Bahamas y

el patriotismo hechos "Nosotros la gente" una forma atractiva para ella para ayudar a apoyar y
crear un cambio en su pas.
Bethel es una parte de "Nosotros los Pueblos" "Primero Treinta".

[5]

Su firme creencia en la

idea de que los bahamenses pueden trabajar juntos para crear un cambio importante sin la
ayuda de los poderes externos la llev a unirse y ser un contribuyente principal , y el lder,
para "Nosotros la gente. [ 5 ] Nicolette cree firmemente que debido al tamao de las Bahamas,
creando el cambio se puede lograr "en un abrir y cerrar de ojos".

[5]

Junto con los otros

veintinueve miembros que comprende el "Primer Treinta", Bethel pretende erradicar todos los
aspectos negativos de la vida en las Bahamas con el fin de crear una sociedad
.[2]
Contents
[hide]

1 Life

2 "We The People" and Bethel's Patriotism

3 References

4 External links

Life[edit]
She studied at Trinity College in the University of Toronto and at Corpus Christi
College, Cambridge, where she got a PhD in Social Anthropology in 2000.[3]

While she has published several poems and short stories, and co-written and co-produced
several plays for theatres of the Bahamas, she is arguably best known as an expert
for Junkanoo, a Bahamian festival at Christmas.
She is also the editor and expander of her father's book on the festival: E. Clement
Bethel; Junkanoo: Festival of The Bahamas (Macmillan Caribbean 1992, ISBN 0-333-554698).

"We The People" and Bethel's Patriotism[edit]

First established on November 16, 2010, "We The people" is a non-profit organization led by
Ed Fields and a group of people from the Bahamas commonly known as the "First Thirty".
[4]

The main incentive of this organization is to create positive change and improvement in the

Bahamas.[4] Becoming a member of "We The People" is simple as it is "open to students,

academia, business professionals, retired public officials, other institutions and associations,
the general public, and anyone who loves The Bahamas".[4] Nicolette Bethel's love for the
Bahamas and patriotism made "We The People" an appealing way for her to help support and
create change in her country.
Bethel is a part of "We The People's" "First Thirty".[5] Her strong belief in the idea that the
Bahamians can work together to create a major change without the help of external powers
drove her to join and be a main contributor, and leader, for "We The People. [5] Nicolette firmly
believes that due to the size of the Bahamas, creating change can be achieved "in the blink of
an eye".[5] Along with the other twenty-nine members comprising the "First Thirty", Bethel aims
to eradicate all the negative aspects of life in the Bahamas in order to create a stable and
harmonious living society.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Bahama" and "Bahamas" redirect here. For other uses, see Bahama (disambiguation).

Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Flag

Coat of arms

Motto: "Forward, Upward, Onward, Together"

Anthem: March On, Bahamaland

MENU
0:00

Royal anthem: God Save the Queen a

Capital
and largest city
Official languages
Ethnic groups ([1])

Nassau
254N 7720W

English
83%
15%
0.7%
0.6%
0.3%

Afro-Bahamian
White / Mixed
not stated
Asian
other

Demonym

Bahamian

Government

Unitary parliamentary
constitutional monarchy[2][3]

Monarch

Elizabeth II

Governor-General

Marguerite Pindling

Prime Minister

Perry Christie

Legislature
Upper house

Parliament
Senate

Lower house

House of Assembly

Independence
from the United Kingdom

10 July 1973[4]

Area
Total
-

13,878 km2 (160th)

5,358 sq mi

Water (%)

28%

Population
2014 estimate

321,834[5] (177th)

1990 census

254,685

Density

23.27/km2 (181st)

60/sq mi

GDP (PPP)

2012 estimate

Total

$11.055 billion[6]

Per capita

$31,382[6]

GDP (nominal)

2012 estimate

Total

$8.043 billion[6]

Per capita

$22,832[6]

Gini (2001)

57[7]
high

HDI (2013)

0.789[8]
high 51st

Currency
Time zone
Summer (DST)

Bahamian dollar (BSD)

(US dollars widely accepted)

EST (UTC5)
EDT (UTC4)

Drives on the

left

Calling code

+1 242

ISO 3166 code

BS

Internet TLD

.bs

The Bahamas

/bhmz/ (Taino: Borike'n, 'Great Land of the Valiant & Noble Lord'[9]), officially

the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an island country of the Lucayan

Archipelago consisting of more than 700 islands, cays, and islets in the Atlantic Ocean; north
of Cuba and Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic); northwest of the Turks and Caicos
Islands; southeast of the U.S. state of Florida and east of the Florida Keys. Its capital
is Nassau on the island of New Providence. The designation of "Bahamas" can refer to either
the country or the larger island chain that it shares with the Turks and Caicos Islands. As stated
in the mandate/manifesto of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the Bahamas territory
encompasses 470,000 km2 (180,000 sq mi) of ocean space.
Originally inhabited by the Lucayan, a branch of the Arawakan-speaking Taino people, the
Bahamas were the site of Columbus' first landfall in the New World in 1492. Although the
Spanish never colonized the Bahamas, they shipped the native Lucayans to slavery in
Hispaniola. The islands were mostly deserted from 1513 until 1648, when English colonists
from Bermuda settled on the island of Eleuthera.
The Bahamas became a British Crown colony in 1718, when the British clamped down
on piracy. After the American War of Independence, the Crown resettled thousands
of American Loyalists in the Bahamas; they brought their slaves with them and established
plantations on land grants. Blacks constituted the majority of the population from this period.
The Bahamas became a haven for freed black slaves: the Royal Navy resettled Africans here
liberated from illegal slave ships; American slaves and Black Seminoles escaped here from
Florida; and the government freed American slaves carried on United States domestic ships
that had reached the Bahamas due to weather. Slavery in the Bahamas was abolished in
1834. Today the descendants of slaves and free Africans make up nearly 90 percent of the
population; issues related to the slavery years are part of society.
The Bahamas became an independent Commonwealth realm in 1973, retaining Queen
Elizabeth II as its monarch. In terms of gross domestic product per capita, the Bahamas is one
of the richest countries in the Americas (following the United States and Canada). Its economy
is based on tourism and finance.[10]
Contents

[hide]

1 Etymology

2 History
o

2.1 18th19th centuries

2.2 20th century

2.3 Post-World War II

3 Geography and climate

o

4 Government and politics

o

4.1 Political culture

4.2 Foreign relations

4.3 Military

4.4 Administrative divisions

4.5 National flag

4.6 Coat of arms

4.7 National flower

3.1 Climate

5 Economy
o

5.1 Tourism

5.2 Financial services

5.3 Agriculture
6 Demographics

6.1 Ethnic groups

6.2 Languages

6.3 Religion

6.4 Largest cities

7 Culture
o

7.1 Sport

8 Representation in other media

9 See also

10 References

11 Bibliography

12 Further reading

12.1 General history

12.2 Economic history

12.3 Social history

13 External links

Etymology[edit]
The name Bahamas is derived from either the Taino ba ha ma ("big upper middle land"), which
was a pronoun for the region used by the indigenous Amerindians,[11]while other theories
suggest it derives from the Spanish baja mar ("shallow water or sea" or "low tide") reflecting
the shallow waters of the area. Alternatively it may originate from Guanahani, a local name of
unclear meaning.[12] In English, the Bahamas is one of only two countries whose official name
begins with the word "the", along with The Gambia.[13] Habitually, the definite article is
sometimes still used when addressing the nations of Ukraine, Netherlands, Philippines, Congo,
Sudan, Yemen, and Lebanon with varying degrees of accuracy.

History[edit]

Main article: History of the Bahamas

Lucayan skull. These Tano people were the original inhabitants of the Bahamas.

Taino people moved into the uninhabited southern Bahamas from Hispaniola and Cuba around
the 11th century AD, having migrated there from South America. They came to be known as
the Lucayan people. An estimated 30,000 Lucayan inhabited the Bahamas at the time
of Christopher Columbus' arrival in 1492.
Columbus's first landfall in the New World was on an island he named San Salvador (known to
the Lucayan as Guanahani). Some researchers believe this site to be present-day San
Salvador Island (formerly known as Watling's Island), situated in the southeastern Bahamas.
An alternative theory holds that Columbus landed to the southeast onSamana Cay, according
to calculations made in 1986 by National Geographic writer and editor Joseph Judge, based on
Columbus's log. Evidence in support of this remains inconclusive. On the landfall island,
Columbus made first contact with the Lucayan and exchanged goods with them.
The Spanish forced much of the Lucayan population to Hispaniola for use as forced labour.
They suffered from harsh conditions, and most died from contracting new diseasesto which
they had no immunity half of the Taino died from smallpox alone.[14] The population of the
Bahamas was severely diminished.[15]
Historians[who?] had long believed that Europeans generally did not begin to colonize the islands
until the mid-17th century. However, recent research[clarification needed] suggests that there may have
been attempts to settle the islands by groups from Spain, France, and Britain, as well as by
other Amerindians[when?]. In 1648, the Eleutherian Adventurers, led by William Sayle, migrated
from Bermuda. These English Puritans established the first permanent European settlement on
an island which they namedEleutherathe name derives from the Greek word for freedom.
They later settled New Providence, naming it Sayle's Island after one of their leaders. To
survive, the settlerssalvaged goods from wrecks.
In 1670 King Charles II granted the islands to the Lords Proprietors of the Carolinas in North
America. They rented the islands from the king with rights of trading, tax, appointing governors,
and administering the country.[16] In 1684 Spanish corsair Juan de Alcon raided the capital,

Charles Town (later renamed Nassau). In 1703 a joint Franco-Spanish expedition briefly
occupied the Bahamian capital during the War of the Spanish Succession.

18th19th centuries[edit]

Sign at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park commemorating hundreds ofAfrican-American slaves who
escaped to freedom in the early 1820s in the Bahamas.

During proprietary rule, the Bahamas became a haven for pirates, including the
infamous Blackbeard (c.1680-1718). To put an end to the 'Pirates' republic' and restore orderly
government, Britain made the Bahamas a crown colony in 1718 under the royal governorship
of Woodes Rogers. After a difficult struggle, he succeeded in suppressing piracy.[17] In 1720,
Rogers led local militia to drive off a Spanish attack.
During the American War of Independence in the late 18th century, the islands became a target
for American naval forces under the command of Commodore Esek Hopkins.US
Marines occupied the capital of Nassau for a fortnight.
In 1782, following the British defeat at Yorktown, a Spanish fleet appeared off the coast of
Nassau. The city surrendered without a fight. Spain returned possession of the Bahamas to
Britain the following year, under the terms of the Treaty of Paris. Before the news was
received, however, the islands were recaptured by a small British force led by Andrew
Deveaux.
After American independence, the British resettled some 7,300 Loyalists with their slaves in the
Bahamas, and granted land to the planters to help compensate for losses on the continent.
These Loyalists, who included Deveaux, established plantations on several islands and
became a political force in the capital. European Americans were outnumbered by the AfricanAmerican slaves they brought with them, and ethnic Europeans remained a minority in the
territory.
In 1807, the British abolished the slave trade, followed by the United States the next year.
During the following decades, the Royal Navy intercepted the trade; they resettled in the
Bahamas thousands of Africans liberated from slave ships.

In the 1820s during the period of the Seminole Wars in Florida, hundreds of American slaves
and Black Seminoles escaped from Cape Florida to the Bahamas. They settled mostly on
northwest Andros Island, where they developed the village of Red Bays. From eyewitness
accounts, 300 escaped in a mass flight in 1823, aided by Bahamians in 27 sloops, with others
using canoes for the journey. This was commemorated in 2004 by a large sign at Bill Baggs
Cape Florida State Park.[18][19] Some of their descendants in Red Bays continue Black Seminole
traditions in basket making and grave marking.[20]
The United States' National Park Service, which administers the National Underground
Railroad Network to Freedom, is working with the African Bahamanian Museum and Research
Center (ABAC) in Nassau on development to identify Red Bays as a site related to American
slaves' search for freedom. The museum has researched and documented the Black
Seminoles' escape from southern Florida. It plans to develop interpretive programs at historical
sites in Red Bay associated with the period of their settlement in the Bahamas. [21]
In 1818,[22] the Home Office in London had ruled that "any slave brought to the Bahamas from
outside the British West Indies would be manumitted." This led to a total of nearly 300 slaves
owned by U.S. nationals being freed from 1830 to 1835.[23] The American slave
ships Comet and Encomium used in the United States domestic coastwise slave trade, were
wrecked off Abaco Island in December 1830 and February 1834, respectively. When wreckers
took the masters, passengers and slaves into Nassau, customs officers seized the slaves and
British colonial officials freed them, over the protests of the Americans. There were 165 slaves
on the Comet and 48 on the Encomium. Britain finally paid an indemnity to the United States in
those two cases in 1855, under the Treaty of Claims of 1853, which settled several
compensation cases between the two nations.[24][25]
Slavery was abolished in the British Empire on 1 August 1834. After that British colonial
officials freed 78 American slaves from the Enterprise, which went into Bermuda in 1835; and
38 from the Hermosa, which wrecked off Abaco Island in 1840.[26] The most notable case was
that of the Creole in 1841: as a result of a slave revolt on board, the leaders ordered the
American brig to Nassau. It was carrying 135 slaves from Virginia destined for sale in New
Orleans. The Bahamian officials freed the 128 slaves who chose to stay in the islands.
The Creole case has been described as the "most successful slave revolt in U.S. history". [27]
These incidents, in which a total of 447 slaves belonging to U.S. nationals were freed from
1830 to 1842, increased tension between the United States and Great Britain. They had been
cooperating in patrols to suppress the international slave trade. But, worried about the stability
of its large domestic slave trade and its value, the United States argued that Britain should not
treat its domestic ships that came to its colonial ports under duress, as part of the international
trade. The United States worried that the success of the Creole slaves in gaining freedom
would encourage more slave revolts on merchant ships.

20th century[edit]

Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor and Governor of the Bahamas from 1940 to 1945.

In August 1940, after his abdication of the British throne, the Duke of Windsor was installed
as Governor of the Bahamas, arriving with his wife, the Duchess. Although disheartened at the
condition of Government House, they "tried to make the best of a bad situation". [28] He did not
enjoy the position, and referred to the islands as "a third-class British colony". [29]
He opened the small local parliament on 29 October 1940. The couple visited the "Out Islands"
that November, on Axel Wenner-Gren's yacht, which caused some controversy.[30] TheBritish
Foreign Office strenuously objected to the trip because they had been advised (mistakenly) by
United States intelligence that Wenner-Gren was a close friend of
the Luftwaffecommander Hermann Gring of Nazi Germany.[30][31]
The Duke was praised at the time for his efforts to combat poverty on the islands. A 1991
biography by Philip Ziegler, however, described him as contemptuous of the Bahamians and
other non-white peoples of the Empire. He was praised for his resolution of civil unrest over
low wages in Nassau in June 1942, when there was a "full-scale riot."[32] Ziegler said that the
Duke blamed the trouble on "mischief makers communists" and "men of Central
European Jewish descent, who had secured jobs as a pretext for obtaining a deferment of
draft".[33]
The Duke resigned the post on 16 March 1945.[34][35]

Post-World War II[edit]

Sign at the entrance of the Sir Roland Symonette Park in North Eleuthera district commemorating
SirRoland Theodore Symonette, the Bahamas' first Premier.

Modern political development began after the Second World War. The first political parties
were formed in the 1950s. The British Parliament authorized the islands as internally selfgoverning in 1964, with Sir Roland Symonette, of the United Bahamian Party, as the first
Premier.
A new constitution granting the Bahamas internal autonomy went into effect on 7 January
1964.[36] In 1967, Lynden Pindling of the Progressive Liberal Party, became the first black
Premier of the majority-black colony; in 1968 the title of the position was changed to Prime
Minister. In 1968, Pindling announced that the Bahamas would seek full independence. [37] A
new constitution giving the Bahamas increased control over its own affairs was adopted in
1968.[38]
The British House of Lords voted to give the Bahamas its independence on 22 June 1973.
[39]

Prince Charles delivered the official documents to Prime Minister Lynden Pindling, officially

declaring the Bahamas a fully independent nation on 10 July 1973.[40] It joined

the Commonwealth of Nations on the same day.[41] Sir Milo Butler was appointed the
first Governor-General of the Bahamas (the official representative of Queen Elizabeth II)
shortly after independence. The Bahamas joined the International Money Fund and the World
Bank on 22 August 1973,[42] and it joined the United Nations on 18 September 1973.[43]
Based on the twin pillars of tourism and offshore finance, the Bahamian economy has
prospered since the 1950s. Significant challenges in areas such as education, health care,
housing, international narcotics trafficking, and illegal immigration from Haiti continue to be
issues.
The College of the Bahamas is the national higher education/tertiary system. Offering
baccalaureate, masters and associate degrees, COB has three campuses, and teaching and
research centres throughout the Bahamas. The College is in the process of becoming the
University of the Bahamas as early as 2012.

Geography and climate[edit]

Main article: Geography of the Bahamas

The Bahamas from space. NASAAqua satellite image, 2009

The country lies between latitudes 20 and 28N, and longitudes 72 and 80W.
In 1864, the Governor of the Bahamas reported that there were 29 islands, 661 cays, and
2,387 rocks in the colony.[44]
The closest island to the United States is Bimini, which is also known as the gateway to the
Bahamas. The island of Abaco is to the east of Grand Bahama. The southeasternmost island
is Inagua. The largest island is Andros Island. Other inhabited islands include Eleuthera, Cat
Island, Long Island, San Salvador Island, Acklins,Crooked
Island, Exuma and Mayaguana. Nassau, capital city of the Bahamas, lies on the island of New
Providence.
All the islands are low and flat, with ridges that usually rise no more than 15 to 20 m (49 to
66 ft). The highest point in the country is Mount Alvernia (formerly Como Hill) on Cat Island. It
has an elevation of 63 metres (207 ft).

Damaged homes in the Bahamas in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

To the southeast, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and three more extensive submarine features
called Mouchoir Bank, Silver Bank, and Navidad Bank, are geographically a continuation of the
Bahamas.

Climate[edit]

See also: Geography of the Bahamas Climate

The climate of the Bahamas is tropical savannah climate or Aw according to Kppen climate
classification. As such, there has never been a frost or freeze reported in the Bahamas,
although every few decades low temperatures can fall into the 35 C (3741 F) range for a
few hours when a severe cold outbreak comes off the North American landmass. Otherwise,
the low latitude, warm tropical Gulf Stream, and low elevation give the Bahamas a warm and
winterless climate. There is only an 8 C difference between the warmest month and coolest
month in most of the Bahama Islands. As with most tropical climates, seasonal rainfall follows
the sun, and summer is the wettest season. The Bahamas are often sunny and dry for long
periods of time, and average more than 3,000 hours of sunlight annually.
Tropical storms and hurricanes affect the Bahamas. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew passed over
the northern portions of the islands, and Hurricane Floyd passed near the eastern portions of
the islands in 1999.

[hide]Climate data for Nassau

Month

Average high, C (F)

Daily mean, C (F)

Average low, C (F)

Average precipitation, mm (inches)

Average precipitation days

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

25.4

25.5

26.6

27.9

29.7

31.0

(77.7)

(77.9)

(79.9)

(82.2)

(85.5)

(87.8)

21.4

21.4

22.3

23.8

25.6

27.2

(70.5)

(70.5)

(72.1)

(74.8)

(78.1)

(81)

17.3

17.3

17.9

19.6

21.4

23.3

(63.1)

(63.1)

(64.2)

(67.3)

(70.5)

(73.9)

39.4

49.5

54.4

69.3

105.9

218.2

(1.551)

(1.949)

(2.142)

(2.728)

(4.169)

(8.591)

10

15

Mean monthly sunshine hours

220.1

220.4

257.3

276.0

269.7

231.0

Source: World Meteorological Organization (UN),[45] Hong Kong

Average Sea Temperature

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

73 F

73 F

75 F

79 F

81 F

82 F

82 F

82 F

82 F

81 F

79 F

75 F

23 C

24 C

26 C

27 C

28 C

28 C

28 C

28 C

27 C

26 C

24 C

23 C

Government and politics[edit]

Main article: Politics of the Bahamas

The Bahamian Parliament, located in downtownNassau.

The Bahamas is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy headed by Queen Elizabeth II in her

role as Queen of the Bahamas. Political and legal traditions closely follow those of the United
Kingdom and the Westminster system. The Bahamas is a member of the Commonwealth of
Nations as a Commonwealth realm, retaining the Queen as head of state (represented by
a Governor-General).
Legislative power is vested in a bicameral parliament, which consists of a 38-member House of
Assembly (the lower house), with members elected from single-member districts, and a 16member Senate, with members appointed by the Governor-General, including nine on the
advice of the Prime Minister, four on the advice of the Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal
Opposition, and three on the advice of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Leader of
the Opposition. The House of Assembly carries out all major legislative functions. As under the
Westminster system, the Prime Minister may dissolve Parliament and call a general election at
any time within a five-year term.[47]

The Prime Minister is the head of government and is the leader of the party with the most seats
in the House of Assembly. Executive power is exercised by the Cabinet, selected by the Prime
Minister and drawn from his supporters in the House of Assembly. The current GovernorGeneral is Dame Marguerite Pindling, and the current Prime Minister is The Rt. Hon. Perry
Christie, P.C., M.P..
Constitutional safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship, movement,
and association. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
Jurisprudence is based on English law.

Political culture[edit]
The Bahamas has a two-party system dominated by the centre-left Progressive Liberal
Party and the centre-right Free National Movement. A handful of splinter parties have been
unable to win election to parliament. These parties have included the Bahamas Democratic
Movement, the Coalition for Democratic Reform, Bahamian Nationalist Party and
the Democratic National Alliance.

Foreign relations[edit]
Further information: Foreign relations of the Bahamas
The Bahamas has strong bilateral relationships with the United States and the United
Kingdom, represented by an ambassador in Washington and High Commissioner in London.
The Bahamas also associates closely with other nations of the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM).

Military[edit]
Main article: Royal Bahamas Defence Force

HMBS Nassau (P-61).

Its military is the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (the RBDF), the navy of The Bahamas which
is composed with a land unit called Commando Squadron (Regiment) and an Air Wing (Air
Force). Under The Defence Act, the RBDF has been mandated, in the name of The Queen, to
defend the Bahamas, protect its territorial integrity, patrol its waters, provide assistance and
relief in times of disaster, maintain order in conjunction with the law enforcement agencies of

The Bahamas, and carry out any such duties as determined by the National Security Council.
The Defence Force is also a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)'s Regional
Security Task Force.
The RBDF came into existence on 31 March 1980. Their duties include defending The
Bahamas, stopping drug smuggling, illegal immigration, poaching, and providing assistance to
mariners. The Defence Force has a fleet of 26 coastal and inshore patrol craft along with 3
aircraft and over 1100 personnel including 65 officers and 74 women.

Administrative divisions[edit]
Main article: Local government in the Bahamas

Districts of the Bahamas.

The districts of The Bahamas provide a system of local government everywhere except New
Providence (which holds 70% of the national population), whose affairs are handled directly by
the central government. In 1996, the Bahamian Parliament passed "The Local Government
Act" to facilitate the establishment of Family Island Administrators, Local Government Districts,
Local District Councillors, and Local Town Committees for the various island communities. The
overall goal of this act is to allow the various elected leaders to govern and oversee the affairs
of their respective districts without the interference of Central Government. In total, there are
32 districts, with elections being held every five years. There are 110 Councillors and 281 Town
Committee members are elected to represent the various districts. [48]

Each Councillor or Town Committee member is responsible for the proper use of public funds
for the maintenance and development of their constituency.
The Bahamas uses left hand drive traffic rules throughout the Commonwealth.
The districts other than New Providence are:
1.

Acklins

2.

Berry Islands

3.

Bimini

4.

Black Point, Exuma

5.

Cat Island

6.

Central Abaco

7.

Central Andros

8.

Central Eleuthera

9.

City of Freeport, Grand Bahama

10. Crooked Island

11. East Grand Bahama
12. Exuma
13. Grand Cay, Abaco
14. Harbour Island, Eleuthera
15. Hope Town, Abaco
16. Inagua

National flag[edit]
Main article: Flag of the Bahamas

National Flag of The Bahamas

The colours embodied in the design of the Bahamian flag symbolise the image and aspirations
of the people of The Bahamas; the design reflects aspects of the natural environment (sun,
sand, and sea) and the economic and social development. The flag is a black equilateral
triangle against the mast, superimposed on a horizontal background made up of two colours
on three equal stripes of aquamarine, gold and aquamarine.
The symbolism of the flag is as follows: Black, a strong colour, represents the vigour and force
of a united people, the triangle pointing towards the body of the flag represents the enterprise
and determination of The Bahamian people to develop and possess the rich resources of sun
and sea symbolized by gold and aquamarine respectively. In reference to the representation of
the people with the colour black, some white Bahamians have joked that they are represented
in the thread which "holds it all together."[49]
There are rules on how to use the flag for certain events. For a funeral the national flag should
be draped over the coffin covering the top completely but not covering the bearers. The black
triangle on the flag should be placed over the head of the deceased in the coffin. The flag will
remain on the coffin throughout the whole service and removed right before lowered into the
grave. Upon removal of the flag it should be folded with dignity and put away. The black
triangle should never be displayed pointing upwards or from the viewer's right. This would be a
sign of distress.[50]

Coat of arms[edit]
Main article: Coat of arms of the Bahamas

Bahamian Coat of Arms

The coat of arms is like a theme statement that describes the Bahamian people. The coat of
arms of the Bahamas contains a shield with the national symbols as its focal point. The shield
is supported by a marlin and a flamingo, which are the national animals of the Bahamas. The
flamingo is located on the land, and the marlin on the sea, indicating the geography of the
islands.

On top of the shield is a conch shell, which represents the varied marine life of the island
chain. The conch shell rests on a helmet. Below this is the actual shield, the main symbol of
which is a ship representing the Santa Mara of Christopher Columbus, shown sailing beneath
the sun. Along the bottom, below the shield appears a banner upon which is scripted the
national motto:[51]
"Forward, Upward, Onward Together."

National flower[edit]
The yellow elder was chosen as the national flower of the Bahamas because it is native to the
Bahama Islands, and it blooms throughout the year.
Selection of the yellow elder over many other flowers was made through the combined popular
vote of members of all four of New Providence's garden clubs of the 1970sthe Nassau
Garden Club, the Carver Garden Club, the International Garden Club, and
the Y.W.C.A. Garden Club.
They reasoned that other flowers grown theresuch as the bougainvillea, hibiscus,
and poincianahad already been chosen as the national flowers of other countries. The yellow
elder, on the other hand, was unclaimed by other countries (although it is now also the national
flower of the United States Virgin Islands) and also the yellow elder is native to the family
islands.[52]

Economy[edit]
Main article: Economy of the Bahamas
By the terms of GDP per capita, the Bahamas is one of the richest countries in the Americas.[53]

Tourism[edit]

Cruise ships in Nassau Harbour.

The Bahamas relies on tourism to generate most of its economic activity. Tourism as an
industry not only accounts for over 60 percent of the Bahamian GDP, but provides jobs for
more than half the country's workforce.[54] The Bahamas attracted 5.8 million visitors in 2012,
more than 70 percent of which were cruise visitors.

Financial services[edit]

After tourism, the next most important economic sector is banking and international financial
services, accounting for some 15% of GDP.
The government has adopted incentives to encourage foreign financial business, and further
banking and finance reforms are in progress. The government plans to merge the regulatory
functions of key financial institutions, including the Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBB) and
the Securities and Exchange Commission.[citation needed] The Central Bank administers restrictions
and controls on capital and money market instruments. The Bahamas International Securities
Exchange consists of 19 listed public companies. Reflecting the relative soundness of the
banking system (mostly populated by Canadian banks), the impact of the global financial crisis
on the financial sector has been limited.[citation needed]

A proportional representation of the Bahamas exports.

The economy has a very competitive tax regime. The government derives its revenue from
import tariffs, license fees, property and stamp taxes, but there is no income tax, corporate tax,
capital gains tax, value-added tax (VAT)(as of January 2015, there is a 7.5% VAT.), or wealth
tax. Payroll taxes fund social insurance benefits and amount to 3.9% paid by the employee and
5.9% paid by the employer.[55] In 2010, overall tax revenue as a percentage of GDP was 17.2%.
[5]

Agriculture[edit]
Further information: Agriculture in the Bahamas
Agriculture is the third largest sector of the Bahamian economy, representing between 5 and 7
percent of total GDP. An estimated 80% of the Bahamian food supply is imported. Major crops
include onions, okra, and tomatoes, oranges, grapefruit, cucumbers, sugar
cane, lemons, limes, and sweet potatoes.

Demographics[edit]
Main article: Demographics of the Bahamas
The Bahamas has an estimated population of 382,825, of which 25.9% are under 14, 67.2%
15 through 64, and 6.9% over 65. It has a population growth rate of 0.925% (2010), with a birth
rate of 17.81/1,000 population, death rate of 9.35/1,000, and net migration rate of 2.13
migrant(s)/1,000 population.[56]In the Bahamas, the term Bahamian is most commonly used.
The people do not identify as West Indian.
The infant mortality rate is 23.21 deaths/1,000 live births. Residents have a life expectancy at
birth of 69.87 years: 73.49 years for females, 66.32 years for males. The total fertility rate is 2.0
children born/woman (2010).[5]

Ethnic groups[edit]
The ethnic makeup of the Bahamas is African 85%, European 12%, Asian and Latin
Americans 3%.[5] Given intermarriage and interracial unions over the centuries, most families
have branches, and even immediate family members, spanning the entire spectrum of skin
color among 'light', 'brown' and 'unequivocally dark.'[57] This reflects the many degrees of African
and European ancestry over centuries of mixed-race unions.

Afro-Bahamian children at a local school.

Afro-Bahamians are Bahamian nationals whose primary ancestry was based in West Africa.
The first Africans to arrive to The Bahamas were freed slaves from Bermuda; they arrived with
the Eleutheran Adventurers looking for new lives.
Since the colonial era of plantations, Afro-Bahamians have been the largest ethnic group in the
Bahamas; in the 21st century, they account for some 85% of the country's population.
[5]

The Haitian community is also largely of African descent and numbers about 80,000.

Because of an extremely high immigration of Haitians to the Bahamas, the Bahamian

government started deporting illegal Haitian immigrants to their homeland in late 2014. [58]
There were 16,598 White Bahamians at the 2010 census.[1] European Bahamians, or
Bahamians of European descent are mainly the descendants of the English

Puritans and American Loyalists who arrived in 1649 and 1783, respectively.[59] They form the
largest minority group in The Bahamas, making up some 12% of the population. [5] Many
Southern Loyalists went to Abaco, which is about 50% white.[60]
A small portion of the White Bahamian population is descended from Greek labourers who
came to help develop the sponging industry in the 1900s. They make up less than 1% of the
nation's population, and have preserved their distinct Greek Bahamian culture.

Languages[edit]
The official language of the Bahamas is English. Many residents speak the Bahamian Dialect.
[61]

According to 1995 estimates 98.2% of the adult population is literate.

Religion[edit]
Further information: Religion in the Bahamas
The islands are predominantly Christian, with Baptists representing 35.4% of the population,
Anglican 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%, Pentecostal 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodist
4.2%, other Christian 15.2%,[5]other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2% [62] The
"other" category includes Jews, Muslims, Baha'is, Hindus, Rastafarians, and practitioners
of Obeah.[63]

Largest cities[edit]

Largest cities or towns in

2009 census
Rank

Nam

Nassau

Freeport

West End

Coopers Town

Marsh Harbour

Freetown

Nassau

Freeport

High Rock

Andros Town

Spanish Wells

10

Clarence Town

Culture[edit]
Main articles: Culture of the Bahamas and Music of the Bahamas

Junkanoo celebration in Nassau.

In the less developed outer islands (or Family Islands), handicrafts include basketry made from
palm fronds. This material, commonly called "straw", is plaited into hats and bags that are
popular tourist items. Another use is for so-called "Voodoo dolls", even though such dolls are
the result of the American imagination and not based on historic fact.[64]
A form of folk magic (obeah) is practiced by some Bahamians, mostly the Haitian-Bahamian
community, mainly in the Family Islands (out-islands) of The Bahamas. [65] The practice of obeah
is illegal in the Bahamas and punishable by law.[66]
Junkanoo is a traditional Bahamian street parade of music, dance, and art held in Nassau (and
a few other settlements) every Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Junkanoo is also used to
celebrate other holidays and events such as Emancipation Day.
Regattas are important social events in many family island settlements. They usually feature
one or more days of sailing by old-fashioned work boats, as well as an onshore festival.
Many dishes are associated with Bahamian cuisine, which reflects Caribbean, African and
European influences. Some settlements have festivals associated with the traditional crop or
food of that area, such as the "Pineapple Fest" in Gregory Town, Eleuthera, or the "Crab Fest"
on Andros. Other significant traditions includestory telling.

Bahamians have created a rich literature of poetry, short stories, plays, and short fictional
works. Common themes in these works are (1) an awareness of change, (2) a striving for
sophistication, (3) a search for identity, (4) nostalgia for the old ways, and (5) an appreciation of
beauty. Some contributing writers are Susan Wallace, Percival Miller, Robert Johnson,
Raymond Brown, O.M. Smith, William Johnson, Eddie Minnis, and Winston Saunders. [67][68]
Bahamas culture is rich with beliefs, traditions, folklore and legend. The most well-known
folklore and legends in Bahamas includes Lusca in Andros Bahamas, Pretty Molly on Exuma
Bahamas, The Chickcharnies of Andro Bahamas, and the Lost City of Atlantis on Bimini
Bahamas.

Sport[edit]
Sport is a significant part of Bahamian culture. The national sport is
sloop sailing[69] where Durward Knowles and Sloan Farrington picked up the first Olympic medal
(bronze) for the Bahamas at the 1956 Summer Olympics. Durward Knowles also captured the
country's first Olympic Gold medal along with Cecil Cooke during the 1964 Summer
Olympics in sailing.[70]
The most popular spectator sports are those imported from United States such as basketball,
[71]

American football[72] and baseball[73] rather than Great Britain due to the country's close

proximity to the United States. Unlike their other Caribbean counterparts where cricket has
proven to be more popular. Cricket has been played in the Bahamas from 1846. [74] It is the
oldest sport being played in the country today. The only other sporting event that began
before cricket was horse racing, which started in 1796. The Bahamas Cricket Association was
formed in 1936 as an organised body. From the 1940s to the 1970s, cricket was played
amongst many Bahamians. Bahamas is not a part of the West Indies Board, so players are not
eligible to play for the West Indies cricket team. The late 1970s saw the game begin to decline
in the country as teachers, who had previously come from the United Kingdom with a passion
for cricket were replaced by teachers who had been trained in the United States. The
Bahamian Physical education teachers had no knowledge of the game and instead
taught track & field, basketball, baseball, softball,[75] volleyball[76] and soccer[77] where primary and
high schools compete against each other. Today cricket is still enjoyed by a few locals and
immigrants in the country usually from Jamaica, Guyana, Haiti and Barbados. Cricket is played
on Saturdays and Sundays at Windsor Park and Haynes Oval.
Dexter Cambridge, Rick Fox and Ian Lockhart are a few Bahamians who joined
Bahamian Mychal Thompson of the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA ranks.[78] Over the
years American football has become much more popular than association football, though not
implemented in the high school system yet. Leagues for teens and adults have been
developed by the Bahamas American Football Federation.[79] However association football,
commonly known as soccer in the country, is still a very popular sport amongst high school

students. Leagues are governed by the Bahamas Football Association. Recently the Bahamian
government has been working closely with the Tottenham Hotspur F.C. to promote the sport in
the country as well as promoting the Bahamas in the European market. In 2013 the Spurs
became the first Premier League club to play an exhibition match in the Bahamas to face
the Jamaica national football team. Joe Lewis the owner of the Tottenham Hotspur club is
based in the Bahamas.[80]
Other popular sports are swimming,[81] tennis[82] and boxing[83] where Bahamians have enjoyed
some level of success at the international level. Other sports such as golf,[84] rugby league,
[85]

rugby union[86] andbeach soccer[87] are considered growing sports. Athletics commonly known

as track and field in the country is the most successful sport by far amongst Bahamians.
Bahamians have a strong tradition in the sprintsand jumps. Track and field is probably the most
popular spectator sport in the country next to basketball due to their success over the years.
Bahamians have gone on to win numerous track and field medals at The Olympic
Games, IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Commonwealth Games and Pan American
Games. Frank Rutherford is the first athletics olympic medalist for the country. He won a
bronze medal for triple jump during the 1992 Summer Olympics.[88] Pauline DavisThompson, Debbie Ferguson, Chandra Sturrup, Savatheda Fynes and Eldece ClarkeLewis teamed up for the first athletics Olympic Gold medal for the country when they won the
4x100m relay at the 2000 Summer Olympics. They are affectionately known as the "Golden
Girls".[89] Tonique Williams-Darling became the first athletics individual Olympic gold medalist
when she won the 400m sprint in 2004 Summer Olympics.[90]
COMUNIDAD

ltima actualizacin: 07 de mayo 2015 - 7:57:38 AM

Bahamas 2013: un ao a revisin con Nicolette Bethel

10 de enero 2014 - 02:04:35 AM

Enviar este artculo

Imprimible

"Tenemos un
problema de la
poblacin no es un
problema de la
superpoblacin;. Ni
mucho menos es
un problema de la
distribucin de la
poblacin."

TheBahamasWeekly.com ha bahameses seleccionado una vez ms al lienzo sus opiniones sobre

aspectos ms destacados de las Bahamas durante el ao 2013, as como preguntar por la
direccin del pas. Sus comentarios sern compartidos en las prximas semanas.
A travs de este intercambio esperamos tambin destacar bahameses en nuestra comunidad, y
compartir sus triunfos personales, que pueden o no haber hecho las noticias.
Aqu es la opinin de Nicolette Bethel , Profesor Asistente de Sociologa y Director del
Departamento de Psicologa, Sociologa y Trabajo Social de la Universidad de Las Bahamas: ? 1)
Qu evento te sientes el ms importante para las Bahamas en 2013 Si se instituy, la reforma
constitucional recomendados por la Comisin Constitucional . El informe es demasiado
conservador y pero el hecho de que hemos tenido el ejercicio es importante. Si no se hace nada
sobre el informe, sin embargo, habr sido una prdida de tiempo y energa y esperanza
democrtica. 2) que falleci este ao que se siente ser "ms se perdi 'y por qu? P. Anthony

White. Los escritores son preciosos y era especialmente as. Lo extraaremos. 3) Quin fue el
"ms inspirador / influyente bahameo 'en 2013 y por qu? No puedo responder a ste de
ninguna manera que no sea personalmente. Yo escogera Kishan Munroe porque hizo lo que nadie
ms en este cuadragsimo aniversario ao de celebracin hizo: se acord de un momento muy
significativo, muy escondido en nuestra historia y la convirti en su obsesin. El hundimiento del
HMBS Flamingo en 1980 ha, pero todo ha sido olvidado por todo el mundo fuera de las
comunidades artsticas o de la defensa (lo artstico, a causa de la pera de Cleofs Adderley, la
comunidad de defensa, porque es su memorial), pero la exhibicin de Kishan canto del cisne de la
Flamingo hace mucho ms que tratar de conmemorarlo; la exposicin es un ejercicio de sanacin,
involucrando tanto a las Bahamas y Cuba en el mismo. Notable. Inspirada. Y corre hasta marzo de
2014. 4) 2013 fue el 40 aniversario de la independencia del pas. Lo que se destac por usted
en forma de conmemorar este evento? Para m, fue el renacimiento de la pera popular de mi
padre, la leyenda de Sammie Swain , que, a pesar de todos los ruidos correctos de cuartos
gubernamentales y polticos, sigue siendo una exclusiva privada casi procurarn, iniciado
porShakespeare en el Paraso y el apoyo de audiencias apreciativas, algunos ciudadanos
corporativos y particulares. Y esto ayuda a responder a la ltima pregunta tambin. Para m,
personalmente, el bahameo ms inspirador es mi marido, Philip Burrows, pero nunca s cmo
juzgar que como l es mi marido y mi socio creativo, y lo que no hay sesgo considerable all. Pero
su produccin de Sammie Swain , apoyada por el equipo que l tir de l-Adrian Archer y Robert
Bain en torno particular- era el mejor que hemos producido. Nunca. Y as fue lo que queramos
hacer: recuerda jvenes bahameses que nunca supo que los bahamenses pueden hacer grandes
cosas tambin. Espero que haya sido transformadora para ellos de una manera que muchas otras
actividades no fueron (demasiado muchos otros simplemente refuerzan el status quo). Quiero a
todos a soar en grande y lograr grandes, no slo trato de hacer a fin de mes. No nos ponemos en
la tierra slo para existir; nos pusieron aqu para vivir y hacer las cosas mejor. Para mi hermano y
yo, Sammie Swain hizo que para nosotros este ao. 5) 2013 puede haber sido uno de los peores
aos de la historia de la delincuencia en las Bahamas. Cules son sus pensamientos y
sugerencias? No estoy seguro de que me compro los populares semi-histeria sobre el
crimen. Como cientfico social, tiendo a estar de pie atrs y mirar a las situaciones locales lo ms
objetivamente posible. Estos son los hechos que me parecen sobre las Bahamas en 2013. 1)
Tenemos un problema de la poblacin. No es un problema de la superpoblacin;lejos de ahi. Es un
problema de la distribucin de la poblacin. Casi un cuarto de milln de personas viven en ochenta
millas cuadradas de tierra. La densidad de poblacin que resulta-3125 personas por milla
cuadrada-lugares presin intolerable para todos nosotros. Pero es una presin innecesaria, ya que
todo el territorio de las Bahamas asciende a aproximadamente 5,400 millas cuadradas, y toda
nuestra poblacin asciende a 354.000; la densidad de poblacin de toda nuestra nacin se
encuentra a slo 66 personas por milla cuadrada. Para m, es una obviedad; Tenemos que crear y
fomentar el desarrollo de centros de poblacin de todo nuestro archipilago y establecer medios
para promover el de Nassau para pasar all. Fin de la historia. Pero: 2) Tenemos un problema
econmico. Durante los ltimos veinte aos, si no ms, nuestros gobiernos han puesto ms nfasis
en la atraccin de inversin extranjera directa en las diversas formas que en cualquier sola
iniciativa de desarrollo local.El resultado es que todos hoy confundimos la construccin de enormes
complejos con el desarrollo real, y nos castigan a nuestros lderes para pasar bastante bien dinero
en bahameses en absoluto, formuladas por el hecho de que dicho gasto es una inversin en el pas
de las Bahamas. El paisaje que se ha producido es un paisaje en el que el fabulosamente rico del
mundo viven ilegalmente detrs de altos muros en comunidades cerradas cinco minutos de
conduccin fuera de las zonas de alta densidad de poblacin y prcticamente sin
comodidades. Hemos permitido que nuestros servicios educativos a estancarse, por lo que todava
estamos proporcionando la mayora de nuestros ciudadanos con la clase de educacin que era
apropiado para los primeros diez aos de nuestra independencia, pero con un deterioro de su
calidad. Nos objetar sobre si puede "darse el lujo" de una universidad, pero no tienen problemas en
la asignacin de ms dinero de nuestro presupuesto nacional para "ayudar" a la ltima complejo de
varios millones de dlares en su desarrollo que le asignamos al Colegio de las Bahamas. En otras
palabras, nuestro pas, que sigue siendo el ms rico de la CARICOM, tiene problemas econmicos
reales cuando se trata de cmo se gasta su dinero, y en qu. En lugar de invertir en los medios
para desarrollar la totalidad de este grande, tierra rica, impresionante y hermosa nacin,

estratgicamente importante, perdemos demasiado en proyectos que daan a la poblacin en

general sin generar ningn cambio. En este escenario, el crimen es inevitable, y el crimen violento
que hemos llegado a temer este ao es tristemente predecible. He estado convencido de la mayor
parte de mi vida adulta, desde el momento en que puse un pie en un aula para ensear a los
hermanos ms jvenes de jvenes que haban hecho rico trabajo para seores mayores y menores
de la droga, que algunas de las mejores mentes en las Bahamas ir a la delincuencia. Los jvenes
que estn matando a s mismos ya otros en el proceso son parte de nuestro recurso nacional, y
hemos trabajado duro para descartarlos como el papel. Estn convirtiendo sus mentes para hacer
espacio para s mismos porque nadie ha hecho ningn lugar para ellos. Queremos que trabajan
como trabajadores de la construccin en la parte inferior de una jerarqua que an coloca blancura
y riquezas en su parte superior, y esperamos que lo agradecern. Al mismo tiempo, vivimos en una
sociedad con fronteras abiertas y una resistencia general a gastar la cantidad de dinero y el tiempo
necesario para vigilar adecuadamente esas fronteras, y nosotros tambin vivimos en el borde de la
sociedad ms esquizofrnica que jams haya existido, una sociedad que dice que todos los
hombres son igual de un lado de la boca, y de la otra parte dice que todas las personas son
igualmente buenos objetivos para balas. La American Brazo del Buen escenario de Guy absurdo
no funciona, debido a que persona realmente cree que l es el malo de la pelcula? Y as: los
delitos violentos, los delincuentes con armas automticas, y titulares sensacionalistas que venden
peridicos, pero en realidad lo hacen muy poco para presentar el problema con sensatez. En
resumen: yo no compro la idea de "el peor ao" en trminos de crimen. No estoy seguro de que
2013 fue el peor ao; Yo tiendo a dividir lo que he ledo en el discurso de las Bahamas en este tipo
de cosas por cuatro y digerir el resultado. Tenemos el crimen que debemos esperar para el tamao
de la poblacin y la densidad que tenemos en Nueva Providencia. No es en absoluto
sorprendente. Es aterrador, s, pero eso es porque nuestra ciudad es demasiado pequea para
absorberla. Las soluciones estn ah. Es un problema matemtico cuya solucin puede ser
simple. Tenemos que actuar para que esto ocurra. 6) Hay un 'hroe annimo' se siente debe
ser reconocido a partir de 2013 o antes? Si es as, quin y por qu? Estoy totalmente
sesgada aqu. Para m, es Philip A. Burrows. l es un profesional consumado y uno de los mejores
directores de vida-y no me acaba de decir en las Bahamas. He vivido y trabajado en el teatro
durante treinta aos y nunca he encontrado a alguien tan intuitivo y tan talentoso como l, que
puede hacer casi cualquier persona con casi ninguna experiencia se ve bien en el escenario, que
puede cortar a travs de los detalles para el corazn de una produccin, que entiende los
movimientos y el propsito de una pieza de teatro, y que puede hacer que todo funcione en
conjunto. l es multi-talentoso y puede montar una produccin en solitario, haciendo de todo,
desde la direccin de conjuntos de iluminacin para maquillaje para disfraces si tiene que
hacerlo. Y l es ciertamente "no reconocido"; . Nadie ha tenido a bien darle un trabajo permanente
que muestra su talento, por lo que trabaja para s mismo 7) Tiene una Resalte Personal para
2013? No hay duda; Shakespeare en el Paraso 2013, y en particular la leyenda de Sammie
Swain. Nicolette Bethel naci en Nassau en 1963, lo que hace que sus 10 aos mayor que la
nacin de las Bahamas. Ella es un antroplogo, poeta y dramaturgo que ha sido Director de
Asuntos Culturales del Gobierno de Bahamas y que es ahora profesor adjunto de Sociologa de la
Universidad de Las Bahamas. Ella es el director fundador de la Shakespeare in Paradise festival
anual de teatro. Ella bloguea en http://nicobethel.net/blogworld y puede ser alcanzado
en [email protected] .
Bahamas 2013: A Year in Review with Nicolette Bethel
Jan 10, 2014 - 2:04:35 AM

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"We have a
population problem.
Its not a problem of
overpopulation; far
from it. Its a
problem of
population
distribution"

TheBahamasWeekly.com has once again selected Bahamians to canvas their opinions on

highlights of The Bahamas over the year 2013, as well as ask about the direction of the
country. Their comments will be shared over the coming weeks.
Through this exchange we hope to also highlight Bahamians in our community, and share
their personal triumphs, that may or may not have made the news.
Here is the opinion of Nicolette Bethel, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Head of the
Department of Psychology, Sociology and Social Work at the College of The Bahamas:
1) What event do you feel was the most important for The Bahamas in 2013?
If it is instituted, the constitutional reform recommended by the Constitutional Commission.
The report is far too conservative and but the fact that we have had the exercise is
significant. If nothing is done about the report, though, it will have been a waste of time and
energyand democratic hope.
2) Who passed away this year that you feel will be 'most missed' and why?
P. Anthony White. Writers are precious and he was especially so. HE WILL BE MISSED.
3) Who was the 'most inspirational / influential Bahamian' in 2013 and why?
I cannot answer this one in any way other than personally. I would pick Kishan Munroe
because he did what no one else in this fortieth anniversary celebratory year did: he
remembered a very significant, very hidden moment in our history and made it his
obsession. The sinking of the HMBS Flamingo in 1980 has all but been forgotten for
everyone outside of the artistic or defence communities (the artistic, because of Cleophas
Adderleys opera, the defence community, because it is their memorial), but Kishans
exhibition Swan Song of the Flamingo does much more than try to commemorate it; the
exhibition is an exercise in healing, involving both The Bahamas and Cuba in it. Remarkable.
Inspirational. And runs up until March 2014.
4) 2013 was the country's 40th anniversary of Independence. What stood out for you in way
of commemorating this event?
For me, it was the revival of my fathers folk opera, The Legend of Sammie Swain, which,
despite all the right noises from governmental and political quarters, still remains an almost
exclusively private endeavour, initiated by Shakespeare in Paradise and supported by
appreciative audiences, some corporate citizens, and private individuals. And this helps to
answer the last question too. For me personally, the most inspirational Bahamian is my
husband, Philip Burrows, but I never know how to judge that as he is my husband and my
creative partner, and so there is considerable bias there. But his production of Sammie
Swain, supported by the team that he pulled around himAdrian Archer and Robert Bain in
particularwas the best that we have ever produced. Ever. And it did what we wanted it to
do: reminded young Bahamians who never knew that Bahamians can do great things too. I

hope it was transformative for them in a way that many other activities were not (too many
others simply reinforced the status quo). I want us all to dream big and achieve big, not just
try to make ends meet. We werent put on earth just to exist; we were put here to live and
make things better. For my brother and me, Sammie Swain did that for us this year.

5) 2013 may have been one of the worst years ever for crime in The Bahamas. What are your
thoughts and suggestions?
Im not sure I buy the popular semi-hysteria about crime. As a social scientist I tend to stand
back and look at local situations as objectively as possible. Here are the facts that strike me
about The Bahamas in 2013.
1) We have a population problem. Its not a problem of overpopulation; far from it. Its a
problem of population distribution. Almost a quarter of a million people live in eighty square
miles of land. The population density that results3,125 people per square mileplaces
intolerable pressure on all of us. But its unnecessary pressure, because the whole territory
of The Bahamas totals approximately 5400 square miles, and our whole population totals
354,000; the population density of our whole nation is a mere 66 people per square mile. To
me, its a no-brainer; we HAVE to create and encourage the development of centres of
population around our archipelago and establish means of encouraging Nassauvians to
move there. End of story. But:
2) We have an economic problem. For the last twenty years if not more, our governments
have placed more emphasis on the attraction of foreign direct investment in various forms
than on any single local developmental initiative. The result is that we all today confuse the
construction of huge resorts with actual development, and we castigate our leaders for
spending pretty well any money on Bahamians at all, put by the fact that such spending is
an investment in the Bahamian nation. The landscape that has been produced is a landscape
in which the fabulously wealthy of the world live behind illegally high walls in gated
communities five driving minutes away from areas of high population density and virtually
no amenities. We have allowed our educational services to stagnate, so that we are still
providing the majority of our citizens with the kind of education that was appropriate for the
first ten years of our independence, but with a deterioration in its quality.
We quibble about whether we can afford a university but have no problems in assigning
more money from our national budget to assist the latest multimillion dollar resort
complex in its development than we assign to the College of The Bahamas. In other words,
our country, which is still the wealthiest in CARICOM, has real economic problems when it
comes to how it spends its money, and on what. Rather than investing in the means to
develop the whole of this large, land-rich, stunningly beautiful, strategically significant
nation, we waste far too much on projects that harm the general population without
generating any return.
In this scenario, crime is inevitable, and the violent crime that we have come to fear this year
is depressingly predictable. I have been convinced for most of my adult life, from the
moment I set foot in a classroom to teach the younger brothers of young men who had
struck it rich working for major and minor drug lords, that some of the best minds in The
Bahamas go into crime. The young men who are killing themselves and others in the

process are part of our national resource, and we have worked hard to discard them like
paper. They are turning their minds to making space for themselves because no one has
made any room for them. We want them to work as construction workers at the bottom of a
hierarchy that still places whiteness and riches at its top, and we expect them to be grateful.
At the same time, we live in a society with open borders and a general resistance to
spending the kind of money and time needed to police those borders adequately, and we
also live on the edge of the most schizophrenic society that ever liveda society that says
that all men are equal of one side of its mouth, and out of the other side says that all people
are equally good targets for bullets. The absurd American Arm the Good Guy scenario does
not work, because which individual really believes hes the bad guy? And so:
violent crime, criminals with automatic weapons, and sensational headlines that sell
newspapers but really do very little to present the problem sensibly.
To sum up: I dont buy the worst year idea in terms of crime. Im not sure that 2013 was the
worst year; I tend to divide what I read in Bahamian discourse on these sorts of things by
four and digest the result. We have the crime that we should expect for the population size
and density that we have on New Providence. It is not at all surprising. Its frightening, yes,
but thats because our city is too small to absorb it. The solutions are there. Its a
mathematical problem whose solution can be simple. We need to act to make it happen.

6) Is there an 'unsung hero' you feel should be recognized from 2013 or prior? If so, who and
why?
I am totally biased here. For me, its Philip A. Burrows. He is a consummate professional and
one of the best directors aliveand I dont just mean in The Bahamas. Ive lived and worked
in theatre for thirty years and have never come across someone as intuitive and as talented
as he is, who can make almost anyone with almost any experience look good on stage, who
can cut through the details to the heart of a production, who understands the movements
and the purpose of a piece of drama, and who can make it all work together. He is multitalented and can mount a production single-handedly, doing everything from direction to
sets to lighting to make-up to costumes if he has to. And he is certainly unsung; no one
yet has seen fit to give him a permanent job that showcases his talents, so he works for
himself.

7) Do you have a Personal Highlight for 2013?

No question; Shakespeare in Paradise 2013, and particularly The Legend of Sammie Swain.

Nicolette Bethel was born in Nassau in 1963, which makes her 10 years older than the
Bahamian nation. She is an anthropologist, poet and playwright who has been Director of
Cultural Affairs for the Bahamas Government and who is now Assistant Professor of
Sociology at the College of The Bahamas. She is the founding director of the annual
Shakespeare in Paradise theatre festival. She blogs athttp://nicobethel.net/blogworld and

can be reached at [email protected].

Philip Goldson
De Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

Philip Goldson
Miembro de la Cmara de Representantes de
Belice para Albert

[1]

En la oficina
1 marzo 1965 hasta 27 agosto 1998

Precedido Frederick Westby

por

Sucesor

Marcos Espat

Miembro de la Asamblea Legislativa de Honduras

Britnica para Belice Sur

En oficina
28 abril 1954 hasta 20 marzo 1957

Precedido (Distrito electoral creado)

por

Sucesor

Denbeigh Jeffrey

Detalles personales

Nacido

25 de julio 1923 la ciudad de

Belice , Honduras britnica(ahora Belice )

Muri

03 de octubre 2001 (78 aos)Ciudad de

Nueva York ,Nueva York , Estados Unidos

Nacionali

Belice

dad

Partido

Alianza Nacional para los Derechos de

poltico

Belice (1992-1998) Partido Democrtico

Unido (1973-1992) Partido de la
Independencia Nacional(1958-1973) de
Honduras Partido de la
Independencia(1956-1958) el Partido Unido
del Pueblo (1950-1956)

Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson (25 julio 1923-3 octubre 2001) fue un beliceo editor de
un peridico, activista y poltico. Sirvi en la Cmara de Representantes de Belice como
miembro por el Albert electoral 1965-1998 y dos veces como ministro. Goldson fue un
miembro fundador de los dos principales partidos polticos actuales de Belice, los Estados del
Partido Popular (PUP) en la dcada de 1950 y el Partido Democrtico Unido (UDP) en la
dcada de 1970. Tambin fue el principal portavoz de los de lnea dura anti reivindicaciones
territoriales guatemaltecas Alianza Nacional por los Derechos de Belice partido en la dcada
de 1990.
Contenido
[ ocultar ]

1 Primeros aos y educacin

2 La participacin en el movimiento nacionalista

3 Das en oposicin

4 Segunda vida con la NABR

5 Muerte y honores

6 Vida personal

7 Referencias

Primeros aos y educacin [ editar ]

Goldson naci en Ciudad de Belice a Peter Edward Goldson y Florencia Babb y asisti a la
escuela primaria de Santa Mara. Aunque nunca tuvo la oportunidad de ir a una escuela
secundaria, estudi en la noche y tuvo xito en la obtencin de la Overseas Jnior Certificado
Universidad de Cambridge en 1939 y el Certificado de Escuela Superior en 1941. Durante
gran parte de la dcada de 1940 particip en el movimiento Open Forum que ofrece George
Price y Leigh Richardson , as como activistas de ms edad, como Clifford Betson y Antonio
Soberanis . Pero su trabajo principal era como editor del Billboard Belice , que l tom en
1941. Channel 5, 19 de septiembre 2001

La participacin en el movimiento nacionalista [ editar ]

De 1941 a 1947, Goldson trabaj en el Servicio Civil Honduras Britnica, al mismo tiempo,
comenz su carrera periodstica haciendo trabajo de edicin en el Servicio Crnica Civil . Con
el advenimiento del movimiento nacionalista, escribi artculos de noticias para la cartelera de
Belice . La difcil situacin de los trabajadores en Belice lo llev al sindicalismo. Se convirti en
el organizador nacional de la Unin General de Trabajadores en 1949, despus se convirti en
su secretario general.
En 1950, primer partido poltico importante de Belice, el PUP, se form bajo John Smith como
lder. Goldson fue nombrado secretario asistente, trabajando bajo precio.Continu editar
el Billboard Belice y se mantiene funcionando como un peridico todos los das hasta sus
oficinas fueron destruidas a finales de 1960.
En 1951 tanto Goldson y Richardson fueron declarados culpables de "intencin sediciosa",
basado en un extracto de la lista Billboard de Belice, que declar: "Hay dos caminos hacia el
autogobierno (Independencia). Evolucin y Revolucin. Ahora estamos tratando la
evolucin." El gobierno colonial sostuvo que las palabras imputados intencin de tratar
revolucin si la evolucin no tuvo xito. Tanto Goldson y Richardson fueron condenados a un
ao de trabajos forzados. Mientras estaba en prisin ense a sus compaeros de prisin a
leer y escribir. [ 2 ] Antes de ir a la crcel por sus ideales Goldson gan un escao al Consejo de
la Ciudad de Belice y se haba desempeado como Vicepresidente (teniente de alcalde) hasta
que su condena.
En 1954 Goldson gan un escao en la Asamblea Legislativa Honduras britnica de nueva
creacin, [ 3 ] miembro de donde fue nombrado (cuasi-ministro) de Servicios Sociales. Su
cartera incluye Trabajo, Vivienda y Planificacin, Salud, Educacin y Bienestar Social y
Desarrollo Comunitario. Durante este perodo, coordin la construccin de Corozal
Town despus de su destruccin en 1955 por el huracn Janet .
Goldson fue pionera en el sistema de consejo de la aldea, promulg una nueva ordenanza de
la educacin que la educacin primaria gratuita, la concesin de la ayuda del gobierno a las
escuelas secundarias por primera vez e inici subsidio especial para los maestros jubilados
que hasta entonces no disfrut los beneficios de pensin, confirm Belice como miembro de
contribuir la UWI, tambin estableci el Departamento de Vivienda y Urbanismo con Henry C.
Fairweather como su primer Director y urbanista, y revis Reglas trabajadores del gobierno
que se establece el sistema de descuento para los sindicatos.

Das en la oposicin [ editar ]

En 1956, Goldson dimiti del PUP, junto con otras nueve personas, citando de Price
ambiciosos se mueve dentro de la jerarqua del partido. Goldson servira el resto de su carrera
poltica en la oposicin al precio y el PUP.
Poco despus se uni Goldson Richardson bajo el Partido de la Independencia de
Honduras bandera y impugn la eleccin 1957 , sin xito, perder su escao al candidato
PUP. [ 4 ] Goldson no era un candidato a la Asamblea Legislativa en 1961, pero en 1965 gan
con sede en Ciudad de Belice Albert electoral como lder del Partido de la Independencia
Nacional . [ 5 ] Esto comenz su papel como miembro de larga data de la oposicin; 1961-1974
se sent en la Cmara solo (que fue nombrado despus de que el NIP perdi todos dieciocho
asientos para el PUP en 1961 las elecciones), se uni solamente por Edwin Morey 1965-1969,
y se mantuvo en la oposicin hasta el PUP perdi las elecciones en 1984 .
Goldson, segn el historiador Assad Shoman, sin ayuda mantiene el sistema bipartidista en
Belice con vida en un momento cuando los ciudadanos desconfiaban del PUP e ignoraron el
PNA. Goldson, sin embargo, con el tiempo se fue para perseguir un ttulo de abogado en
Londres, regresando en 1974 despus de la formacin de la UDP.
Despus de Theodore Aranda fue depuesto como lder de la UDP en 1982, Goldson postul
sin xito contra Manuel Esquivel para el puesto de lder de UDP, pero gan un Ministership en
1984. En las elecciones de 1984 no slo gan su asiento, sino tambin celebr la primera
victoria de su partido (UDP). Fue nombrado Ministro de Servicios Sociales.
Como Ministro estableci el Tribunal de la Familia, la Ciudad Departamento Urbano Belice, el
Departamento de Asuntos de la Mujer, los consejos de distrito, y la Divisin de Servicio de
Discapacidad.

Segunda vida con la NABR [ editar ]

Con ocasin del paso de la Ley de Zonas Martimas en 1991, Goldson llev a un grupo de
polticos de distancia para iniciar la Alianza Nacional para los Derechos de
Belice (NABR). Denunci que el PUP y UDP haba secuestrado la poltica en Belice por s
mismos y se comprometi a luchar contra la causa de Belice. A pesar de su retiro, el 13 de
enero de 1992, jug un papel decisivo en la formacin de la Alianza Nacional para los
Derechos de Belice (NABR). Goldson se retir de la Casa de Belice despus de la eleccin de
1998 .

Muerte y honores [ editar ]

Goldson muri en la ciudad de Nueva York , donde haba sido hospitalizado, el 3 de octubre
de 2001. [ 6 ]

Cuando un terminal se iba a construir en el aeropuerto internacional, el Primer Ministro y el

Gabinete decidi cambiar el nombre de las instalaciones del Aeropuerto Internacional Philip
SW Goldson. En septiembre de 2001, fue galardonado con el Orden de Belice y en octubre de
2001 fue enterrado con un funeral de Estado. En septiembre de 2008, Goldson se concedi a
ttulo pstumo con el ms alto honor del pas, laOrden del Hroe Nacional . [ 7 ]

Vida personal [ editar ]

Goldson cas Hadie Jones el 28 de abril de 1954, el mismo da de su primera eleccin. Juntos
tuvieron seis hijos: Phillip, Dale, Adrian, Karen-Anne, Ann Margaret y Florencia. Goldson sufra
de glaucoma y era ciego despus de 1978. En 1986 fue elegido presidente de la Asociacin
Caribea de Personas con Discapacidad.
Goldson comenz a perseguir un ttulo de abogado en 1974 a la edad de 51. l fue finalmente
admitido en el mesn de Lincoln en Londres . [ 8 ]

Referencias [ editar ]
1.

Salta hacia arriba^

Philip Goldson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Philip Goldson
Member of the Belize House of
Representatives for Albert[1]

In office
1 March 1965 27 August 1998

Preceded

Frederick Westby

by

Succeeded

Mark Espat

by

Member of the British Honduras Legislative

Assembly for Belize South

In office
28 April 1954 20 March 1957

Preceded

(constituency created)

by

Succeeded

Denbeigh Jeffrey

by

Personal details

Born

25 July 1923
Belize City, British Honduras
(now Belize)

Died

3 October 2001 (aged 78)

New York City, New York,United States

Nationality Belizean

Political

National Alliance for Belizean

party

Rights (19921998)
United Democratic Party(19731992)
National Independence Party(19581973)
Honduran Independence Party (1956
1958)
People's United Party (19501956)

Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson (25 July 1923 3 October 2001) was
a Belizean newspaper editor, activist and politician. He served in the House of Representatives
of Belize as member for the Albert constituency from 1965 to 1998 and twice as a minister.
Goldson was a founding member of both of Belize's current major political parties, the People's
United Party (PUP) in the 1950s and the United Democratic Party (UDP) in the 1970s. He was
also the leading spokesman of the hardline anti-Guatemalan territorial claims National Alliance
for Belizean Rights party in the 1990s.
Contents

[hide]

1 Early life and education

2 Participation in the nationalist movement

3 Days in opposition

4 Second life with the NABR

5 Death and honours

6 Personal life

7 References

Early life and education[edit]

Goldson was born in Belize City to Peter Edward Goldson and Florence Babb and attended St.
Mary's Primary School. Although he never had an opportunity to go to a secondary school he
studied at night and succeeded in obtaining the Cambridge University Overseas Junior
Certificate in 1939 and the Senior School Certificate in 1941. For much of the early 1940s he
participated in the Open Forum movement featuring George Price and Leigh Richardson as
well as older activists such as Clifford Betson and Antonio Soberanis. But his main job was as
editor of the Belize Billboard, which he took up in 1941.Channel 5, September 19, 2001

Participation in the nationalist movement[edit]

From 1941 to 1947, Goldson worked in the British Honduras Civil Service, at the same time
started his journalism career doing editing work at the Civil Service Chronicle. With the advent
of the nationalist movement, he wrote news items for the Belize Billboard. The plight of the
workers in Belize led him into trade unionism. He became the national organizer of The
General Workers Union in 1949, later becoming its general secretary.
In 1950, Belize's first major political party, the PUP, was formed under John Smith as leader.
Goldson was named assistant secretary, working under Price. He continued to edit the Belize
Billboard and kept it running as a daily newspaper until its offices were destroyed in the late
1960s.
In 1951 both Goldson and Richardson were convicted of "seditious intention" based on an
extract from the Belize Billboard, which stated, "There are two roads to self government
(Independence). Evolution and Revolution. We are now trying evolution." The colonial
government held that the words imputed intention to try revolution if evolution did not succeed.
Both Goldson and Richardson were sentenced to one year of hard labour. While in prison he
taught his fellow inmates to read and write.[2] Prior to going to jail for his ideals Goldson won a

seat to the Belize City Council and had served as Vice-President (Deputy Mayor) until his
conviction.
In 1954 Goldson won a seat in the newly-created British Honduras Legislative Assembly,
[3]
where he was appointed member (quasi-Minister) for Social Services. His portfolio included
Labour, Housing and Planning, Health, Education and Social Welfare and Community
Development. During this period he coordinated the building of Corozal Town after its
destruction in 1955 by Hurricane Janet.
Goldson pioneered the village council system, enacted a new education ordinance making
primary education free, granting government assistance to secondary schools for the first time
and initiated special allowance for retired teachers who up to then did not enjoy pension
benefits, confirmed Belize as contributing member of the U.W.I., also established Department
of Housing and Planning with Henry C. Fairweather as its first Director and Town Planner, and
revised Government Workers Rules establishing the check-off system for trade unions.

Days in opposition[edit]
In 1956, Goldson resigned from the PUP along with nine others, citing Price's ambitious moves
within the party hierarchy. Goldson would serve the rest of his political career in opposition to
Price and the PUP.
Soon after Goldson joined Richardson under the Honduran Independence Party banner and
contested the 1957 election unsuccessfully, losing his seat to the PUP candidate.[4] Goldson
was not a candidate for the Legislative Assembly in 1961, but in 1965 won the Belize Citybased Albert constituency as leader of the National Independence Party.[5] This began his role
as the long-running member of the Opposition; from 1961 to 1974 he sat in the House alone
(he was appointed after the NIP lost all eighteen seats to the PUP in 1961 elections), joined
only by Edwin Morey from 1965 to 1969, and remained in opposition until the PUP lost
elections in 1984.
Goldson, according to historian Assad Shoman, singlehandedly kept the two party system in
Belize alive at a time when citizens distrusted the PUP and ignored the NIP. Goldson, however,
eventually left to pursue a law degree in London, returning in 1974 after the formation of the
UDP.
After Theodore Aranda was deposed as leader of the UDP in 1982, Goldson ran
unsuccessfully against Manuel Esquivel for the post of UDP leader, but won a Ministership in
1984. In the 1984 elections he not only won his seat but also celebrated the first victory of his
party (UDP). He was appointed Minister of Social Services.
As Minister he established the Family Court, the Belize City Urban Department, the
Department of Womens Affairs, the District Councils, and the Disabilities Service Division.

Second life with the NABR[edit]

Upon the occasion of the Maritime Areas Act's passage in 1991, Goldson led a group of
politicians away to start the National Alliance for Belizean Rights (NABR). He charged that the
PUP and UDP had hijacked politics in Belize for themselves and pledged to fight Belize's
cause. Despite his retirement, on January 13, 1992, he was instrumental in the formation of the
National Alliance for Belizean Rights (NABR). Goldson retired from the Belize House after
the 1998 election.

Death and honours[edit]

Goldson died in New York City, where he had been hospitalized, on 3 October 2001.[6]
When a terminal building was to be built at the International Airport, the Prime Minister and
Cabinet decided to rename the facility the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport. In
September 2001, he was presented with the Order of Belize and in October 2001 was buried
with a state funeral. In September 2008, Goldson was posthumously awarded with the
country's highest honour, the Order of the National Hero.[7]

Personal life[edit]
Goldson married Hadie Jones on 28 April 1954, the same day as his first election. Together
they had six children: Phillip, Dale, Adrian, Karen-Anne, Ann Margaret and Florence. Goldson
suffered from glaucoma and was blind after 1978. In 1986 he was elected president of the
Caribbean Association of the Disabled.
Goldson began pursuing a law degree in 1974 at the age of 51. He was eventually admitted
to Lincoln's Inn in London.[8]

De Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

Este artculo est sobre el pas de Amrica Central. Para otras aplicaciones, vea Belice
(desambiguacin) .

Belice

Bandera

Escudo de armas

Lema: "Sub Umbra Floreo" ( Amrica )

"Bajo la sombra me florecer"

Himno: " Tierra de los Libres "

MEN
0:00

Himno Real : " God Save the Queen "

Capital

Belmopan
17 15'N 88 46'W

Ciudad ms grande

Ciudad de Belice

Lenguajes oficiales

Ingls

Grupos
52,9% Mestizo

tnicos(2010 [ 1 ][ nota 1 ] )

25,9% Criollo (Negro)

11,3% Maya
6,1% Garinagu
3,9% de las Indias Orientales
3,6% de Alemania (menonita)
1,2% Otros blanca
1,0% de Asia Oriental
1,2% Otros
0,3% Desconocido
Gentilicio

Belice( / b l i z i n / o / b l i n / )

Gobierno

Unitario parlamentariamonarqua
constitucional

- Monarca

Isabel II

- Gobernador

Colville Young

general
- Primer ministro

Dean Barrow

Legislatura

Asamblea Nacional

- Cmara alta

Senado

- Casa inferior

Cmara de los Representantes

Independencia
- desde el Reino

21 de septiembre 1981

Unido
Zona
- Total

22966 [ 1 ] km 2 ( 151 )
8.867 millas cuadradas

- De agua (%)

0.7

Poblacin
- 2014 estimacin

340 844 [ 1 ]

- 2010 censo

324 528 [ 2 ]

- Densidad

14.1 / km 2 ( 213 )
36.6 / milla

PIB ( PPP )

2014 estimacin

- Total

$ 2942 millones [ 3 ]

- Per capita

$ 8,247 [ 3 ]

PIB (nominal)

2014 estimacin

- Total

1693 millones dlares [ 3 ]

- Per capita

$ 4.744 [ 3 ]

IDH (2013)

0.732 [ 4 ]
alta 84a

Moneda

Dlar de Belice ( BZD )

Zona horaria

CST ( UTC -6)

Unidades de la

derecho

Cdigo de llamada

501

Cdigo ISO 3166

BZ

TLD de Internet

.bz

Belice ( / b l i z / ) es un pas en la costa oriental de Amrica Central . Es el nico pas de

i

Amrica Central cuya lengua oficial es Ingls , aunque criollo beliceo (Criollo)
y espaol tambin se habla comnmente. Belice Limita al norte con Mxico , al sur y al oeste
con Guatemala y al este con el mar Caribe . Su continente es cerca de 290 kilmetros (180
millas) de largo y 110 km (68 millas) de ancho.
Con 22.800 kilmetros cuadrados (8.800 millas cuadradas) de terreno ya partir de 2014 una
poblacin de 340.844, [ 1 ] Belice tiene la ms baja densidad de poblacin en Amrica
Central. [ 5 ] tasa del pas de crecimiento demogrfico del 1,97% anual (2013) es el segundo
ms alto en la regin y una de las ms altas del hemisferio occidental . [ 1 ]
Abundancia de Belice de las especies terrestres y marinos y su diversidad de ecosistemas
que dan un lugar clave en la importancia mundial del Corredor Biolgico Mesoamericano . [ 6 ]

Belice tiene una sociedad diversa, integrada por muchas culturas y lenguas que reflejan su
rica historia. Originalmente parte del Imperio Britnico , que comparte una historia colonial
comn con otros del Caribe anglfono pases. De 1862 a 1973 el rea fue por el nombre
de Honduras Britnica . Se convirti en una organizacin independiente reino de la
Commonwealth en 1981, conservando la reina Isabel II como jefe de estado.
Belice es considerada una de Centroamrica y el Caribe nacin con fuertes lazos con ambos
las regiones de Amrica Latina y el Caribe. [ 7 ] Es un miembro de laComunidad del
Caribe (CARICOM), la Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y del Caribe (CELAC), y
el central Sistema de Integracin Centroamericana(SICA), el nico pas que mantenga la
membresa plena en las tres organizaciones regionales.
Belice es conocida por sus celebraciones de septiembre , y ha sido durante mucho tiempo una
gran distribuidora de chicle goma [ 8 ][ 9 ] y la punta de la msica . [ 10 ][ 11 ]
Contenido
[ ocultar ]

1 Etimologa

2 Historia
o

2.1 Historia temprana

2.2 civilizacin maya

2.3 Conquista y poca colonial (1506-1862)

2.4 Como parte del Imperio Britnico (1862-1981)

2.5 Independencia (desde 1981)

3 Gobierno y poltica
o

3.1 La cultura poltica

3.2 Relaciones exteriores

3.3 Fuerzas Armadas

3.4 Divisiones administrativas

4 Geografa
o

4.1 Medio ambiente y la preservacin de la biodiversidad

4.2 Vegetacin y flora

4.3 Geologa, potencial minero y energtico

4.4 Belice Barrera de Coral

4.4.1 Especies

4.5 estado Patrimonio de la Humanidad

4.6 Clima

5 Economa
o

5.1 Infraestructura industrial

5.2 Turismo

5.3 Transporte

6 Sociedad
o

6.1 Demografa

6.2 Grupos tnicos

6.2.1 La Maya

6.2.2 criollos

6.2.3 Garinagu

6.2.4 mestizos

6.2.5 menonitas de habla alemana

6.2.6 Otros grupos

6.2.7 emigracin, inmigracin y los cambios demogrficos

6.3 Idiomas

6.4 Las ciudades ms grandes

6.5 Religin

6.6 Salud

6.7 Educacin

6.8 Delito

6.9 Estructura social

6.10 Mujeres

7 Cultura
o

7.1 Tipo de cocina

7.2 Msica

7.3 Deportes

7.4 Los smbolos nacionales

8 Vase tambin

9 Notas

10 Referencias

11 Lectura adicional

12 Enlaces externos

Etimologa [

editar ]

El origen del nombre de Belice est claro, pero el primer registro del nombre se encuentra en
la revista de la Dominicana sacerdote Fray Jos Delgado, que data de 1677.

[ 12 ]

Delgado

grab los nombres de los tres principales ros que cruzaban mientras viaja al norte a lo largo
de la costa del Caribe: Ro Soyte, Ro Xibum, y Ro Balis. Estos nombres, que corresponden
al ro Sittee , ro Sibn y Ro Belice , fueron proporcionados a Delgado por su traductor. [ 12 ] Es
probable que "Balis" de Delgado fue en realidad la palabra maya Belix (o Beliz ), que significa
"muddy- regado ". [ 12 ]
Otros han sugerido que el nombre se deriva de una pronunciacin espaola del nombre del
bucanero escocs Peter Wallace, que se aplic a una pronta solucin en la desembocadura
del ro Belice, [ 13 ] aunque no hay ninguna prueba de que Wallace realidad se estableci en la
zona y algunos han caracterizado esta afirmacin como un mito.

[ 12 ]

Varias otras etimologas

posibles han sido sugeridos por escritores e historiadores, entre ellos orgenes franceses y
africanos. [ 12 ]

Historia [

editar ]

Artculo principal: Historia de Belice

Historia temprana [ editar ]

Alcance de la civilizacin maya

La civilizacin maya surgi hace al menos tres milenios en la zona de tierras bajas de
la pennsula de Yucatn y las tierras altas del sur, en lo que es ahora el sureste de Mxico,
Belice, Guatemala y el occidente de Honduras. Persisten muchos aspectos de esta cultura en
la zona a pesar casi 500 aos de dominacin europea. Antes de aproximadamente 2500 aC,
algunos caza y forrajeo bandas asentadas en pequeas aldeas agrcolas; posteriormente
domesticaron cultivos como maz, frijol, calabaza y chiles.
Una profusin de lenguas y subculturas desarroll dentro de la cultura de la base Maya. Entre
aproximadamente 2500 aC y 250 dC, surgieron las instituciones bsicas de la civilizacin
Maya. El pico de esta civilizacin se produjo durante el perodo clsico, que comenz
alrededor de 250 dC. [ 14 ]

"Caana" en Caracol

"El Castillo" en Xunantunich

La civilizacin Maya [ editar ]

Artculo principal: Precolombino Belice
La civilizacin maya se extendi a travs de lo que hoy es Belice alrededor de 1500 aC, y
floreci all hasta alrededor de 900 dC. La historia de las regiones centro y sur est dominada
por Caracol , un centro de poltica urbana que pueden haber apoyado ms de 140.000
personas. [ 15 ][ 16 ] Al norte de las Montaas Mayas , el centro poltico ms importante
fue Lamanai . [ 17 ] En el fallecido era clsico de la civilizacin maya (600-1000 dC), hasta un
milln de personas pueden haber vivido en el rea que ahora es Belice.

[ 18 ]

Cuando los exploradores espaoles llegaron en el siglo 16, el rea que ahora es Belice
incluy tres territorios mayas distintas: la provincia de Chetumal , que abarc el rea alrededor
de la Baha de Corozal ; Dzuluinicob provincia , que abarca la zona comprendida entre el Ro
Nuevo y el ro Sibn , al oeste de Tipu ; y un territorio controlado por el sur de la Mancha
ch'ol Maya, que abarca la zona comprendida entre el ro Mono y el ro Sarstn . [ 19 ]

Conquista y poca colonial (1506-1862) [ editar ]

Ms informacin: Historia de Belice (1506-1862)
Espaoles conquistadores exploraron la tierra y lo declararon una colonia espaola , pero
optaron por no resolver debido a su falta de recursos como el oro y la fuerte defensa de
Yucatn por los mayas. Ingls y colonos escoceses y piratas conocidos como los Hombres de
la Baha entr en la zona en el siglo 17 y 18, respectivamente, y estableci un palo de

tinte colonia comercio, la economa de esclavos y el puerto en lo que se convirti en el Distrito

de Belice . [ 20 ]
Baymen primero se asentaron en la costa de lo que hoy es Belice en 1638, en busca de una
regin protegida de la que podran atacar barcos espaoles (vase elasentamiento Ingls en
Belice ) . Los colonos volvieron a cortar palo de tinte durante el siglo 18, se establece un
rgimen de trabajo esclavo utilizando esclavos negros . La madera se obtuvo un agente de
fijacin para los tintes de ropa que era vital para el Europeo de lana industria. El espaol
concedi a los colonos britnicos el derecho a ocupar la zona y cortar palo campeche a
cambio de poner fin a la piratera. [ 14 ]

Un extracto de la Gaceta 1898 que declar el 10 de septiembre, un da de fiesta oficial, que forma parte
de los esfuerzos del Comit del Centenario

Los britnicos primero nombrado superintendente sobre el rea de Belice en 1786. Antes de
eso, el gobierno britnico no haba reconocido la liquidacin como una colonia por temor a
provocar una espaola ataque. El retraso en la supervisin del gobierno permiti a los colonos
para establecer sus propias leyes y formas de gobierno. Durante este perodo, unos colonos
ricos ganaron el control de la legislatura local, conocida como la Reunin Pblica, as como de
la mayor parte de la tierra y la madera de la liquidacin.
La batalla de San Jorge Caye fue un enfrentamiento militar 1798 frente a la costa de Belice
entre una fuerza invasora espaola de lo que se convertira en Mxico , tratando de capturar
la Baymen controladas por el territorio de Espaa a partir de una pequea fuerza de Baymen y
sus esclavos negros.
ltimo intento de Espaa se produjo el 10 de septiembre de 1798, cuando el Baymen y sus
esclavos negros repelieron la flota espaola en poco compromiso sin bajas conocidas de
cualquier lado. El aniversario de la batalla es una fiesta nacional en Belice y es celebrado por
algunos beliceos para conmemorar los "primeros beliceos" y la defensa de su territorio.

Como parte del Imperio Britnico (1862-1981) [ editar ]

Artculo principal: Honduras Britnica

[ 21 ]

La bandera de Honduras Britnica .

En el siglo 19, los britnicos busc un mayor control sobre los colonos, amenazando con
suspender la reunin pblica a menos que observar las instrucciones del gobierno para
eliminar la esclavitud en su conjunto. La esclavitud fue abolida en el Imperio Britnico en 1838,
pero esto hizo poco para cambiar las condiciones de trabajo de los trabajadores en el
asentamiento de Belice.
Los esclavos de la colonia fueron valorados por sus habilidades potencialmente superiores en
el trabajo de la caoba de extraccin. Como resultado, los antiguos dueos de esclavos
en Honduras Britnica ganaban 53.69 en promedio por esclavos, la cantidad ms alta
pagada en cualquier territorio britnico. [ 20 ]
Poco despus, se puso una serie de instituciones para garantizar la presencia continua de una
fuerza de trabajo viable. Algunos de stos limita en gran medida la capacidad de los individuos
para obtener la tierra, en un sistema de peonaje por deudas a organizar la nueva "libre". La
posicin de ser los cortadores de caoba y palo de tinte "especial adicional" subyaca las
primeras atribuciones de las capacidades (y en consecuencia, las limitaciones) de las
personas de ascendencia africana en la colonia. Debido a que una pequea lite controla la
tierra y el comercio de la liquidacin, los antiguos esclavos no tenan ms remedio que seguir
trabajando en el corte de la madera. [ 20 ]
En 1836, despus de la emancipacin de la Amrica Central de la dominacin espaola , los
britnicos reclamaron el derecho de administrar la regin. En 1862, Gran Bretaa declar
formalmente una colonia de la Corona britnica , subordinada a Jamaica, y la llam Honduras
Britnica. [ 22 ]
Como una colonia, Belice comenz a atraer a los inversores britnicos. Entre las empresas
britnicas que dominaron la colonia en el siglo 19 fue el Estate y Belice Produce Company,
que finalmente adquiri la mitad de todas las tierras de propiedad privada en la colonia. La
influencia de Belice Estate explica en parte la dependencia de la colonia en el comercio de
caoba en todo el resto del siglo 19 y la primera mitad del siglo 20.

Vista panormica de la ciudad de Belice, c. 1914

La Gran Depresin de la dcada de 1930 caus un casi colapso de la economa colonial ya

que la demanda britnica de madera se desplom. Los efectos del desempleo generalizado se
agravaron por undevastador huracn que azot a la colonia en 1931. La percepcin de
esfuerzo de ayuda del gobierno como inadecuada fueron agravados por su negativa a
legalizar los sindicatos o de introducir un salario mnimo.Las condiciones econmicas
mejoraron durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial como muchos hombres de Belice entraron en
las fuerzas armadas o de otra manera contribuyeron al esfuerzo blico.
Despus de la guerra, la economa de la colonia de nuevo se estanc debido a las presiones
causadas por su efecto perjudicial. La decisin britnica de devaluar el dlar Honduras
Britnica en 1949 empeor la situacin econmica y condujo a la creacin del Comit Popular,
que exiga la independencia. El sucesor de Comit del Pueblo, los Estados del Partido
Popular (PUP), busc reformas constitucionales que ampliaron los derechos de voto a todos
los adultos. La primera eleccin bajo sufragio universal se celebr en 1954 y fue
decisivamente ganada por el PUP, comenzando un perodo de tres dcadas en las que el PUP
dominado la poltica del pas. Activista en favor de la independencia George Cadle
Precio convirti en lder PUP en 1956 y el jefe efectivo de gobierno en 1961, cargo que
mantendra bajo varios ttulos hasta 1984.
Bajo una nueva constitucin Bretaa concedi autogobierno Honduras Britnica en 1964. El
01 de junio 1973 British Honduras pas a llamarse oficialmente Belice.

[ 23 ]

El progreso hacia la

independencia, sin embargo, se vio obstaculizada por un reclamo de Guatemala a la

soberana sobre el territorio de Belice .

Independencia (desde 1981) [ editar ]

Mientras Belice finalmente obtuvo su independencia el 21 de septiembre de 1981, cerca de
1.500 tropas britnicas permanecieron en Belice, el propsito declarado es para proporcionar
proteccin contra una amenaza guatemalteca. Para evitar los posibles incursiones los
britnicos haban estacionados previamente un destacamento de la Real Fuerza
Area (RAF) VTOL Hawker Siddeley Harrier en el territorio en 1975, y de nuevo en 1977,
como un elemento de disuasin. Guatemala se neg a reconocer la nueva nacin debido a su
larga territorial disputar con los britnicos hasta 1991.

Con precio a la cabeza, el PUP gan todas las elecciones nacionales hasta 1984 . En esa
eleccin, la primera eleccin nacional despus de la independencia, el PUP fue derrotado por
el Partido Democrtico Unido(UDP). Lder UDP Manuel Esquivel reemplazado precio como
primer ministro, con el mismo precio de perder inesperadamente su propia Casa asiento a un
retador UDP. El PUP bajo precio volvi al poder despus de las elecciones en 1989 . El
presidente de Guatemala , Jorge Serrano Elas reconoci formalmente la independencia de
Belice en 1991. Al ao siguiente, el Reino Unido anunci que iba a poner fin a su participacin
militar en Belice, y el destacamento de la RAF Harrier fue retirado el mismo ao, habiendo
permanecido estacionados en el pas continuamente desde su despliegue se haba convertido
en permanente all en 1980. Los soldados britnicos se retiraron en 1994, pero el Reino Unido
dej una unidad de entrenamiento militar para ayudar con la recin creada Fuerza de Defensa
de Belice .
La UDP recuper el poder en la eleccin nacional 1993 , y Esquivel se convirti en primer
ministro por segunda vez. Poco despus Esquivel anunci la suspensin de un pacto
alcanzado con Guatemala durante el mandato de precio, alegando Price haba hecho
demasiadas concesiones para obtener el reconocimiento de Guatemala. El pacto puede haber
reducido los 130 aos de edad disputa fronteriza entre los dos pases. Tensiones fronterizas
continuaron en la dcada de 2000, aunque los dos pases cooperaron en otras reas.
El PUP obtuvo una victoria aplastante en las elecciones nacionales de 1998, y lder PUP Said
Musa fue juramentado como primer ministro. En las elecciones de 2003 el PUP mantuvo su
mayora, y Musa continu como primer ministro. Se comprometi a mejorar las condiciones en
la parte sur subdesarrollado y en gran parte inaccesible de Belice.
En 2005, Belice fue el escenario de los disturbios causados por el descontento con el gobierno
PUP, incluyendo aumentos de impuestos en el presupuesto nacional. El 8 de febrero de
2008, Dean Barrow fue juramentado como primer ministro despus de su UDP gan una
victoria aplastante en las elecciones generales. Barrow y la UDP fueron reelegidos en
2012 con una mayora considerablemente ms pequeo.
A lo largo de la historia de Belice, Guatemala ha reclamado la propiedad de la totalidad o parte
del territorio de Belice. Esta afirmacin se refleja en ocasiones en mapas que muestran Belice
como vigsimo tercer de Guatemala departamento . A junio de 2015, la disputa fronteriza con
Guatemala sigue sin resolverse y bastante polmico.

[ 1 ][ 24 ][ 25 ]

la afirmacin de Guatemala al

territorio de Belice descansa, en parte, en la clusula VII del Tratado anglo-guatemalteca de

1859, que obligaba al britnico para construir una carretera entre Ciudad de Belice y
Guatemala. En varias ocasiones el tema ha requerido la mediacin por el Reino Unido, la
Comunidad del Caribe jefes de gobierno, la Organizacin de Estados Americanos (OEA),
Mxico y Estados Unidos. Cabe destacar que tanto Guatemala y Belice participan en fomento

de la confianzamedidas aprobadas por la OEA como el Proyecto de Intercambio de Idiomas

Guatemala-Belice. [ 26 ]

Gobierno y poltica [

editar ]

Artculo principal: Poltica de Belice

Belice es un parlamentario monarqua constitucional . La estructura de gobierno se basa en el
sistema parlamentario britnico, y el sistema legal se basa en el derecho consuetudinario de
Inglaterra. El jefe de Estado es la Reina Isabel II , quien ostenta el ttulo Reina de
Belice . Desde la Reina reside en el Reino Unido , que est representado en Belice por
el Gobernador General . Sin embargo, el gabinete, encabezado por el Primer Ministro de
Belice , quien es jefe de gobierno, en calidad de asesores del Gobernador General, en la
prctica, la autoridad ejecutiva de ejercicio. Los ministros del gabinete son miembros del
partido poltico mayoritario en el parlamento y suelen ocupar escaos elegidos en l
concurrente con sus puestos en el gabinete.
La bicameral Asamblea Nacional de Belice se compone de una Cmara de Representantes y
un Senado . Los 31 miembros de la Cmara son elegidos popularmente para un plazo mximo
de cinco aos e introducir legislacin que afecta el desarrollo de Belice. El Gobernador
General nombra a los 12 miembros del Senado, con un presidente del Senado, elegido por los
miembros. El Senado es responsable de debatir y aprobar proyectos de ley aprobados por la
Cmara.
El poder legislativo es ejercido por el gobierno y el Parlamento de Belice . Garantas
constitucionales incluyen la libertad de expresin, de prensa, el culto, movimiento y
asociacin. El poder judicial es independiente del ejecutivo y el legislativo.

[ 27 ]

Los miembros de la independencia del poder judicial son nombrados. El sistema judicial
incluye magistrados locales agrupados en la Corte de Magistrados, que conoce de casos
menos graves. El Tribunal Supremo(Chief Justice) oye casos de asesinato y de igual
gravedad, y el Tribunal de Apelacin, conoce de los recursos de las personas condenadas que
se solicita que sus sentencias volcado. Los acusados pueden, bajo ciertas circunstancias,
apelar sus casos a la Corte de Justicia del Caribe .

La cultura poltica [ editar ]

Desde 1974, el sistema de partidos en Belice ha sido dominado por el centro-izquierda del
Pueblo Partido Unido y el centro-derecha Partido Unido Democrtico , aunque ha habido otros
pequeos partidos que han participado en todos los niveles de las elecciones en el
pasado. Aunque ninguno de estos pequeos partidos polticos nunca han ganado un nmero
importante de plazas y / u oficinas, su reto ha ido creciendo con los aos.

Relaciones exteriores [ editar ]

Artculo principal: Relaciones exteriores de Belice

Belice es un miembro participante completo de la Naciones Unidas , la Comunidad de
Naciones , Organizacin de los Estados Americanos (OEA), del Sistema de Integracin
Centroamericana (SICA), la Comunidad del Caribe (CARICOM), la CARICOM Mercado y
Economa nicos (MEUC), Asociacin de Estados del Caribe (ACS), [ 28 ] y la Corte Caribea
de Justicia (CCJ), que pertenece en la actualidad slo a Barbados , Belice y Guyana . En 2001
los jefes de gobierno de la Comunidad del Caribe a votacin una medida declarando que la
regin debe trabajar hacia la sustitucin del Reino Unido Comit Judicial del Consejo
Privadode la Corte de Justicia del Caribe. Todava est en el proceso de adhesin a la
CARICOM y SICA tratados, incluyendo el comercio y los tratados del mercado nico.
Belice es un miembro original (1995) de la Organizacin Mundial del Comercio (OMC), y
participa activamente en su labor. El pacto implica el subgrupo Foro del Caribe (CARIFORUM)
del Grupo de los Estados del Pacfico frica, el Caribe, y (ACP). CARIFORUM actualmente la
nica parte de la ms amplia ACP-bloque que ha concluido el comercio-pacto regional
completo con la Unin Europea .

Fuerzas armadas [ editar ]

Artculo principal: Ejrcito de Belice

Belice Guardacostas trabajar con elMarina de los Estados Unidos . Vas de agua abiertas de Belice y
Arrecife Barrera de larga hacen susceptibles a los traficantes de drogas

La Fuerza de Defensa de Belice (BDF) sirve como militar del pas y es responsable de
proteger la soberana de Belice. El BDF, con el de Belice Nacional de Guardacostas y el
Departamento de Inmigracin, es un departamento del Ministerio de Defensa y la
inmigracin. En 1997 el ejrcito regular contaba con ms de 900, el ejrcito de reserva 381, el
ala de aire 45 y el ala martima 36, que asciende a una dotacin de aproximadamente
1400. [ 29 ] En 2005, el ala martima se convirti en parte de la Guardia Costera de Belice.

[ 30 ]

2012, el gobierno de Belice gastaron unos 17 millones de dlares en los militares, que
constituyen el 1,08% de la del pas del producto interno bruto (PIB). [ 31 ]
Despus de Belice logr la independencia en 1981, el Reino Unido mantiene una fuerza de
disuasin (Fuerzas britnicas Belice) en el pas para protegerla de la invasin

En

deGuatemala (ver reclamacin guatemalteca al territorio de Belice ). Durante la dcada de

1980 esto inclua un batalln y No. 1417 Vuelo de la RAF de Harrier. La principal fuerza
britnica fue en 1994, tres aos despus de Guatemala reconoci la independencia de Belice,
pero el Reino Unido mantiene una presencia formacin a travs de la Formacin del ejrcito
britnico y la Unidad de Apoyo de Belice (BATSUB) y AAC 25 Vuelo hasta 2011 cuando las
ltimas fuerzas britnicas dejaron Ladyville Cuartel , con la excepcin de los consejeros en
comisin. [ 29 ]

Divisiones administrativas [ editar ]

Distritos de Belice

Belice se divide en seis distritos , que se muestran a continuacin con sus reas (en km 2 ) y
de las poblaciones en el Censo de 2010: [ 32 ]
Nombre del Distrito

Ciudad capital

Poblacin estimada

Distrito de Belice

Ciudad de Belice

89247

Distrito de Cayo

San Ignacio

73202

Orange Walk District

Orange Walk Town

45419

Corozal District

Corozal Town

40324

Nombre del Distrito

Ciudad capital

Poblacin estimada

Stann Creek District

Dangriga

32166

Distrito de Toledo

Punta Gorda

30538

Estos distritos se dividen en 31 distritos electorales . El gobierno local en Belice se compone

de cuatro tipos de autoridades locales: ayuntamientos , cabildos , consejos de aldea y
los consejos comunales . Los dos ayuntamientos ( Ciudad de Belice y Belmopn ) y siete
ayuntamientos cubren la poblacin urbana del pas, mientras que los consejos de aldea y de
la comunidad cubren la poblacin rural. [ 33 ]

Geografa [

editar ]

Artculo principal: Geografa de Belice

Belice Topografa

Selvas de Belice son el hogar deljaguar y muchos otros mamferos.Cockscomb Basin Wildlife
Sanctuaryfue fundada en 1990 como el primerdesierto santuario para el jaguar y es considerado por un
autor como el sitio principal para la conservacin del jaguar en el mundo.

[ 34 ]

Belice es en la costa caribea del norte de Centroamrica. Comparte una frontera en el norte
con el estado mexicano de Quintana Roo , en el oeste con el departamento guatemalteco
de Petn , y al sur con el departamento guatemalteco de Izabal . Hacia el este, en el Mar
Caribe, la segunda barrera coralina ms grande del mundo bordea gran parte de los 386
kilmetros (240 millas) de predominantemente pantanosa costa. [ 35 ] La zona del pas asciende
a 22.960 kilmetros cuadrados (8.865 millas cuadradas), un rea ligeramente ms grande que
El Salvador, Israel, Massachusetts o Gales. Los muchos laguna s largo de las costas y en el
interior norte reduce la superficie real de 21.400 kilmetros cuadrados (8.263 millas
cuadradas).
Belice tiene la forma de un rectngulo que se extiende unos 280 kilmetros (174 millas) de
norte a sur y unos 100 kilmetros (62 millas) al este-oeste, con una longitud total de frontera
terrestre de 516 kilmetros (321 millas). Los cursos ondulantes de dos ros, el Hondo y el ro
Sarstn , definen gran parte del curso de las fronteras norte y sur del pas. La frontera
occidental sigue sin caractersticas naturales y corre de norte a sur a travs de los bosques de
tierras bajas y altiplano.
El norte de Belice consiste principalmente en llanuras costeras planas y pantanosas, en
lugares boscosas. La flora es muy diversa teniendo en cuenta la pequea rea geogrfica. El
sur contiene la baja cordillera de las Montaas Mayas . El punto ms alto en Belice es Delight
de Doyle en 1124 m (3.688 pies). [ 36 ]
Accidentada geografa de Belice tambin ha hecho costa y del pas selva atractivo para los
traficantes de drogas, que utilizan el pas como puerta de entrada a Mxico.

En 2011, los

[ 37 ]

Estados Unidos aadi Belice a la lista de pases considerados grandes productores de

drogas o pases de trnsito para narcticos. [ 38 ]

Preservacin del medio ambiente y la biodiversidad [ editar ]

Artculo principal: Lista de reas protegidas de Belice

Guacamayos escarlata son nativos de Centroamrica y el norte de Amrica del Sur. Varios santuarios de
avesexisten en Belice, como el Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary .

Belice es un pas con una rica variedad de fauna, debido a su posicin nica entre tanto del
Norte y Amrica del Sur, y una amplia gama de climas y hbitats para la vida vegetal y
animal. [ 39 ] bajo la poblacin humana de Belice y aproximadamente 22.970 kilmetros
cuadrados ( 8.867 millas cuadradas) de tierra no distribuido hace que para un hogar ideal para
los ms de 5.000 especies de plantas y cientos de especies de animales,
incluyendo armadillos , serpientes y monos . [ 40 ][ 41 ]
La Cuenca Cockscomb Santuario de Vida Silvestre es una reserva natural en el centro-sur de
Belice estableci para proteger los bosques, la fauna y las cuencas hidrogrficas de un rea
de aproximadamente 400 kilmetros cuadrados de las laderas orientales de las Montaas
Mayas. La reserva fue fundada en 1990 como el primer santuario del desierto para el jaguar y
es considerado por un autor como el sitio principal para la conservacin del jaguar en el
mundo. [ 34 ]

Vegetacin y flora [ editar ]

Mientras que ms del 60% de la superficie terrestre de Belice est cubierto por bosque,

[ 42 ]

el

20% de la superficie del pas est cubierta por la tierra cultivada (agricultura) y los
asentamientos humanos. [ 43 ] Savannah , matorrales y humedales constituyen el resto de la
cubierta vegetal de Belice . Importantes manglares ecosistemas tambin estn representados
a travs del paisaje de Belice. [ 44 ][ 45 ] Como parte de la importancia mundial del Corredor
Biolgico Mesoamericano, que se extiende desde el sur de Mxico hasta Panam, la
biodiversidad de Belice - tanto marina y terrestre - es rica, con abundante flora y fauna .
Belice es tambin un lder en la proteccin de la biodiversidad y los recursos naturales. A partir
de julio de 2010, la Asociacin de Protegidas Organizaciones reas de Manejo de Belice
(APAMO) inform que el 36% del territorio terrestre de Belice cae bajo alguna forma de estado

de proteccin oficial, dando Belice uno de los ms extensos sistemas de reas protegidas
terrestres en las Amricas. [ 46 ]
Por el contrario, Costa Rica solo tiene 25,8% de su territorio protegido.

[ 47 ]

Alrededor de 13%

de los de Belice aguas territoriales , que contienen la barrera de coral de Belice , tambin
estn protegidos. El arrecife coralino de Belice es un UNESCO -recognised Patrimonio de la
Humanidad y es la segunda barrera arrecifal ms grande del mundo, detrs
de Australia 's Gran Barrera de Coral .
Un teledeteccin estudio realizado por el Centro del Agua del Trpico Hmedo para Amrica
Latina y el Caribe (CATHALAC) y la NASA , en colaboracin con el Departamento Forestal y el
Centro de Informacin de Tierras (LIC) del gobierno del Ministerio de Recursos Naturales y de
Belice el Medio Ambiente (MNRE), y publicado en agosto de 2010 revel que la cobertura
forestal de Belice a principios de 2010 fue de aproximadamente 62,7%, frente al 75,9% a
finales de 1980. [ 42 ] Un estudio similar de Estudios Forestales Tropicales de Belice y
Conservacin Internacional revel tendencias similares en trminos de la cubierta forestal de
Belice. [ 48 ] Ambos estudios indican que cada ao, se ha perdido un 0,6% de la cubierta forestal
de Belice, que se traduce en el claro de un promedio de 24.835 acres (10.050 hectreas) cada
ao. La USAID -apoyado estudio ERVIR por CATHALAC, NASA y el MNRE tambin mostr
que las reas protegidas de Belice han sido extremadamente eficaces en la proteccin de los
bosques del pas. Aunque slo algunos 6.4% de los bosques dentro de reas protegidas
legalmente declaradas se borra entre 1980 y 2010, ms de un cuarto de los bosques fuera de
las reas protegidas se perdieron entre 1980 y 2010.
Como pas con una cubierta forestal relativamente alta y una baja deforestacin tasa, Belice
tiene un potencial significativo para la participacin en iniciativas como REDD . De manera
significativa, el estudio de SERVIR en la deforestacin de Belice

[ 42 ]

Tambin fue reconocido

por el Grupo de Observaciones de la Tierra (GEO), de la que Belice es un pas miembro.

[ 49 ]

Geologa, potencial minero y energtico [ editar ]

Belice se sabe que tiene un nmero de minerales econmicamente importantes, pero ninguno
en cantidades lo suficientemente grandes como para justificar la minera. Estos minerales
incluyen dolomita , barita(fuente de bario ), bauxita (fuente de aluminio), casiterita (fuente de
estao), y oro. En 1990 la piedra caliza , que se utiliza en la construccin de carreteras, fue el
nico recurso mineral explotado, ya sea para uso domstico o de exportacin.
La similitud de la geologa de Belice a la de las zonas productoras de petrleo de Mxico y
Guatemala impuls las compaas petroleras, principalmente de los Estados Unidos, para
explorar en busca de petrleo en ambos sitios en alta mar y en tierra en la dcada de
1980. Los resultados iniciales fueron prometedores, pero el ritmo de la exploracin se
desaceler ms adelante en la dcada, y las operaciones de produccin se detuvieron. Como

resultado, Belice depende casi totalmente del petrleo importado para sus necesidades
energticas.
En 2006, el cultivo de la recin descubierta de petrleo crudo en la ciudad de Lookout
espaol ha presentado nuevas perspectivas y problemas de esta nacin en desarrollo.

[ 50 ]

El

pas tambin tiene un considerable potencial de recursos energticos renovables

hidroelctricas y otras, como la solar y la biomasa . A mediados de la dcada de 1980, un
hombre de negocios de Belice incluso propuso la construccin de una central de lea para la
produccin de electricidad, pero la idea se fue a pique a raz de las preocupaciones ecolgicas
y econmicas.

Belice Barrera de Coral [ editar ]

Artculo principal: Belice Barrera de Coral

Belice Barrera de Coral area que parece del norte

El Gran Agujero Azul . Un fenmeno de Karst topografa

La Barrera de Coral de Belice es una serie de arrecifes de coral a caballo entre la costa de
Belice, cerca de 300 metros (980 pies) en alta mar en el norte y 40 kilmetros (25 millas) al sur

dentro de los lmites del pas. La Barrera de Coral de Belice es un total de 300 kilmetros (190
millas) de largo tramo de los 900 kilmetros (560 millas) de largoSistema Arrecifal
Mesoamericano , que es continuo desde Cancn en la punta noreste de la Pennsula de
Yucatn a travs de la Riviera Maya hasta Honduras por lo que es uno de los sistemas de
arrecifes de coral ms grandes del mundo despus de la Gran Barrera de Coral en Australia
y Lagunas de Nueva Caledonia .
Es el principal destino turstico de Belice, popular para el buceo y el snorkel , y atraer a casi la
mitad de sus 260.000 visitantes. Tambin es vital para su industria pesquera. [ 51 ] En
1842 Charles Darwin describi como "el arrecife ms notable en la Indias Occidentales ".
Especies [ editar ]
La Barrera de Coral de Belice es el hogar de una gran diversidad de plantas y animales, y es
uno de los ms diversos ecosistemas del mundo:

70 especies de corales duros

36 de corales suaves especies

500 especies de peces

cientos de invertebrados especies

Con el 90% de los arrecifes todava por investigar, algunos estiman que slo el 10% de todas
las especies se han descubierto. [ 52 ]

Estado de Patrimonio de la Humanidad [ editar ]

Muchos pases interesados en la conservacin y proteccin del patrimonio natural y cultural
del mundo se adhieran a la Convencin sobre la Proteccin del Patrimonio Mundial Cultural y
Natural , adoptada por la UNESCO en 1972. En 1996, el Sistema de la Reserva fue
designada Patrimonio de la Humanidad debido a su vulnerabilidad y el hecho de que contiene
los hbitats naturales ms importantes y significativos para la conservacin in situ de la
diversidad biolgica (segn criterios VII, IX y X).
Belice tambin se convirti en el primer pas del mundo en prohibir totalmente la pesca de
arrastre en diciembre de 2010. [ 53 ][ 54 ]
A pesar de estas medidas de proteccin, el arrecife est amenazada por la contaminacin
ocenica , as como el turismo incontrolado, envo, y la pesca. Las principales amenazas son
los huracanes, junto con el calentamiento global y el consiguiente aumento de las
temperaturas del ocano, [ 55 ] que causan decoloracin de los corales . Se afirma por los
cientficos que ms del 40% de los arrecifes de coral de Belice ha sido daado desde 1998.

[ 51 ]

Clima [ editar ]
Artculo principal: El clima de Belice
Belice tiene un clima tropical con pronunciadas hmedas y las estaciones secas , aunque hay
variaciones significativas en los patrones del clima por regin. Las temperaturas varan de
acuerdo a la elevacin, la proximidad a la costa, y los efectos moderadores del comercio
VIENTOS fuera del Caribe. Las temperaturas medias en las regiones costeras se extienden de
24 C (75.2 F) en enero a 27 C (80.6 F) en julio.Las temperaturas son ligeramente
superiores en el interior, a excepcin de las mesetas de las tierras altas del sur, como
el Mountain Pine Ridge , donde es notablemente ms fro durante todo el ao. En general, las
estaciones estn marcados ms por las diferencias en la humedad y precipitaciones que en la
temperatura.
La precipitacin media vara considerablemente, de 1.350 mm (53,1 pulgadas) en el norte y
hacia el oeste hasta en el extremo sur ms de 4.500 mm (177,2 pulgadas). Las diferencias
estacionales en las precipitaciones son mayores en las regiones del norte y centro del pas en
el que, entre enero y abril o mayo, a menos de 100 mm (3,9 pulgadas) de lluvia al mes. La
estacin seca es ms corto en el sur, normalmente slo duradera, de febrero a abril. A,
periodo menos lluvioso ms corto, conocido localmente como el "poco seco", por lo general se
produce a finales de julio o agosto, despus de la aparicin inicial de la temporada de lluvias.
Huracn s han jugado roles claves devastadores, y en la historia de Belice . En 1931 un
huracn sin nombre destruy ms de dos terceras partes de los edificios en la ciudad de
Belice y mat a ms de 1.000 personas. En 1955 el huracn Janet nivel la ciudad nortea
de Corozal . Slo seis aos despus, el huracn Hattie azot la zona costera central del pas,
con vientos superiores a 300 km / h (186 mph) y 4 m (13,1 pies) de la marea de tormenta s. La
devastacin de la ciudad de Belice, por segunda vez en treinta aos provoc el traslado de la
capital a unos 80 kilmetros (50 millas) hacia el interior de la ciudad planificada deBelmopan .
En 1978 el huracn Greta caus ms de US $ 25 millones en daos a lo largo de la costa
sur. El 9 de octubre de 2001, el huracn Iris lleg a tierra en Monkey River Town como 233
kmh (145 mph) Categora Cuatro tormenta. La tormenta derrib la mayor parte de las casas
de la aldea, y destruy la cosecha de pltano. En 2007 el huracn Dean toc tierra como un
huracn de categora 5 a slo 40 kilmetros (25 millas) al norte de la frontera entre Belice y
Mxico. Dean caus grandes daos en el norte de Belice.
El huracn ms reciente que afecta a Belice fue directamente a la categora 2 el huracn
Richard , de tocar tierra aproximadamente 32 km (20 millas) al sur-sureste de la ciudad de
Belice en torno a 00:45 UTC del 25 de octubre de 2010.

[ 56 ]

La tormenta se movi hacia el

interior Belmopan , causando daos estimados de BZ $ 33,8 millones ($ 17,4 millones 2010
USD), principalmente de daos a los cultivos y viviendas.

[ 57 ]

Economa [

editar ]

Artculo principal: Economa de Belice

Una representacin proporcional de las exportaciones de Belice, 2012.

Un pozo de petrleo en Belice. El petrleo es la principal exportacin de Belice

Un azcar de caa planta de procesamiento, Orange Walk Town, Belice. El azcar es una de las
principales exportaciones de Belice.

Belice tiene una economa pequea empresa, sobre todo privatizado que se basa
principalmente en la exportacin de petrleo y petrleo crudo , la agricultura, la industria
basada en la agricultura, y la comercializacin, con el turismo y la construccin asumiendo
recientemente mayor importancia. [ 50 ] Se ha an por ver si esto traer la expansin econmica
significativa. A partir de 2007, la produccin de petrleo fue de 3.000 bbl / d (480 m 3 / d) ya
partir de 2006 las exportaciones de petrleo fueron 1.960 bbl / d (312 m 3 / d). El pas es

tambin un productor de minerales industriales s. [ 58 ] En la agricultura, el azcar , al igual que

en la poca colonial, sigue siendo el principal cultivo, lo que representa casi la mitad de las
exportaciones, mientras que la industria bananera es el mayor empleador de la poblacin.

[ 50 ]

El nuevo gobierno se enfrenta a importantes desafos a la estabilidad econmica. La accin

rpida para mejorar la recaudacin de impuestos se ha prometido, pero la falta de progreso en
frenar el gasto podra llevar el tipo de cambio bajo presin. Los sectores tursticos y de la
construccin fortalecieron a principios de 1999, dando lugar a una estimacin preliminar de
crecimiento revivido en el 4%. Infraestructura sigue siendo un importante reto para el
desarrollo econmico; [ 59 ] Belice tiene la electricidad ms cara de la regin. El comercio es
importante y los principales socios comerciales son Estados Unidos, Mxico, la Unin
Europea y Amrica Central. [ 59 ]
Belice cuenta con cinco bancos comerciales, de los cuales el ms grande y ms antigua es el
Banco de Belice . Los otros cuatro bancos son patrimonio del Banco, el Banco
Atlntico, FirstCaribbean International Bank y Scotiabank (Belice). Un complejo robusta de las
cooperativas de crdito se inici en la dcada de 1940 bajo la direccin de M. Marion Ganey ,
SJ, y es un recurso permanente para el mejoramiento de los pueblos a travs de las lneas
econmicas y culturales. [ 60 ]

Infraestructura industrial [ editar ]

Esta seccin es obsoleta . Por favor, actualice este artculo para reflejar los
acontecimientos recientes o nueva informacin disponible.(Enero 2014)
La mayor empresa elctrica integrada y el distribuidor principal en Belice es Belize Electricity
Limited . BEL fue aproximadamente un 70% propiedad de Fortis Inc. , una utilidad canadiense
de distribucin de propiedad de los inversores, lo que representa menos del 2% de los activos
de Fortis. Fortis se hizo cargo de la gestin de BEL en 1999, por invitacin del gobierno de
Belice en un intento de mitigar los problemas financieros anteriores dentro de la utilidad
administrada localmente. Adems de su inversin regulada en BEL, Fortis posee Belize
Electric Company Limited (BECOL), un no-regulado hidroelctrica negocio de generacin que
opera tres plantas de generacin hidroelctrica en el ro Macal .
El 14 de junio de 2011, el gobierno de Belice nacionaliz la participacin mayoritaria de Fortis
Inc. en utilidad Belize Electricity Ltd. El Belice encontraron serios problemas financieros tras la
Comisin de Servicios Pblicos del pas (PUC) en 2008 reprobaron "la recuperacin del
combustible incurrido previamente y los costos de energa adquiridos en las tasas de los
clientes y las tarifas de los clientes establecidos en un nivel que no permite BEL para ganar un
retorno "justa y razonable, dijo Fortis en un comunicado junio de 2011.

[ 61 ]

BEL apel esta

sentencia ante el Tribunal de Apelacin; Sin embargo, la audiencia no se espera hasta 2012.
En mayo de 2011, la Corte Suprema de Belice estim la demanda de BEL para evitar que el
PUC de adoptar medidas de ejecucin en espera de la apelacin. La Cmara de Comercio e

Industria de Belice emiti un comunicado diciendo que el gobierno haba actuado con
precipitacin y expres su preocupacin por el mensaje que envi a los inversores.
En agosto de 2009, el gobierno de Belice nacionaliz Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), que
ahora compite directamente con Speednet . Como resultado del proceso de nacionalizacin,
las de interconexin acuerdos son de nuevo objeto de negociaciones. Tanto BTL y Speednet
cuentan con una gama completa de productos y servicios, incluidos los servicios de telefona
bsica, llamadas nacionales e internacionales, servicios de prepago, los servicios celulares a
travs de GSM 1900 megahercios (MHz) y 3GCDMA 2000, respectivamente, la itinerancia
mvil, inalmbrica fija internacional, dial-up y conexin a internet de alta velocidad DSL ,
servicio de internet y las redes de datos nacionales e internacionales.

[ 62 ]

Turismo [ editar ]
Artculo principal: Turismo en Belice

Vista panormica de Amigos del Mar muelle de buceo y tienda en Ambergris Caye

Una combinacin de factores naturales, el clima, la barrera de coral de Belice , ms de 450

Cayes en alta mar (islas), excelente pesca, aguas seguras para la
navegacin, buceo y snorkel , numerosos ros para el rafting y kayak , diferentes de la
selva y la fauna de reservas de fauna y la flora, para practicar senderismo, observacin de
aves , y el helicptero de gira, as como muchos mayas ruinas apoyan el turismo y
prspera ecoturismo industria. Tambin cuenta con la mayor cueva sistema en Centroamrica.
Los costos de desarrollo son altos, pero el gobierno de Belice ha hecho del turismo su
segunda prioridad de desarrollo despus de la agricultura. En 2012, las llegadas de turistas
ascendieron a 917.869 (con cerca de 584.683 de los Estados Unidos) y los ingresos por
turismo ascendieron a ms de $ 1,3 mil millones. [ 63 ]

Transporte [ editar ]
Ms informacin: Transporte en Belice

Sociedad [

editar ]

Demografa [ editar ]
Artculo principal: Demografa de Belice y el pueblo de Belice

Belice es uno de los pases ms racial y tnicamente diversas del mundo.

La poblacin de Belice fue 324.528 en 2010.

[2]

de Belice tasa global de fecundidad en 2009

fue 3,6 hijos por mujer. Su tasa de natalidad era de 27,33 nacimientos / 1.000 habitantes, y la
tasa de mortalidad fue de 5,8 muertes / 1.000 habitantes.

[1]

Los grupos tnicos [ editar ]

Los mayas [ editar ]

Nios mayas

Los mayas se cree que han estado en Belice y la regin de Yucatn desde el segundo milenio
antes de Cristo; Sin embargo, gran parte de la poblacin original de Maya de Belice fue
arrasada por las enfermedades y los conflictos entre tribus y con los europeos. Tres grupos
mayas ahora habitan en el pas: El yucateco (que vino de Yucatn, Mxico, para escapar de
la Guerra de Castas de la dcada de 1840), el Mopan (indgenas a Belice pero fueron
expulsados por los britnicos, sino que regresaron de Guatemala para evadir la esclavitud en
el siglo 19) y Q'eqchi ' (tambin huy de la esclavitud en Guatemala en el siglo 19).
grupos posteriores se encuentran principalmente en el distrito de Toledo .

[ 64 ]

Los

Criollos [ editar ]
Artculos principales: la gente de Belice criollas y Baymen
Criollos, tambin conocidos como Kriols , constituyen aproximadamente el 21% de la
poblacin de Belice y alrededor del 75% de la dispora . Son descendientes de los dueos de
esclavos Baymen, y los esclavos trados a Belice con el fin de la industria maderera. [ 65 ] Estos
esclavos eran en ltima instancia, de West y de frica Centraldescenso (muchos tambin
de Miskito ascendencia) de Nicaragua y los africanos nacidos que haban pasado muy breves
perodos en Jamaica y Bermuda . [ 66 ] Bay isleos y jamaicanos tnicos llegaron a finales del
siglo 19, adems de aadir a dichos pueblos ya variadas, la creacin de este grupo tnico.
Para todos los efectos, el criollo es una denominacin tnica y lingstica. Algunos nativos,
incluso aquellos rubia y de ojos azules, pueden llamarse a s mismos criollos. La designacin
es ms cultural que racial, y no se limita a algunos cierta apariencia fsica.

[ 66 ]

Belice criolla Ingls o kriol desarrollaron durante el tiempo de la esclavitud, e histricamente

nica fue dicho por los antiguos esclavos. Sin embargo, este grupo tnico se ha convertido en
sinnimo de la identidad de Belice, y como resultado ahora es hablado por el 75% de los
beliceos. [ 66 ][ 67 ] beliceo criollo se deriva principalmente de Ingls.Sus lenguas de
sustrato son los nativos americanos del idioma miskito , y los diversos frica
occidental y lenguas bantes trados al pas por los esclavos. Criollos se encuentran en todo
Belice, pero sobre todo en las zonas urbanas como la ciudad de Belice, pueblos y aldeas
costeras, y en el valle del ro Belice. [ 68 ]
Garinagu [ editar ]
Artculo principal: pueblo garfuna

Bailarines garfunas tradicionales en Dangriga , Belice

El Garinagu (singular Garifuna ), en torno al 4,5% de la poblacin, son una mezcla de Oeste /
frica Central, Arawak , y la isla de Carib ascendencia. Aunque eran cautivos removidos de
sus lugares de origen, estas personas nunca fueron documentadas como esclavos. Las dos
teoras que prevalece es que en 1635, eran ya sea a los sobrevivientes de dos naufragios
registrados, o de alguna manera se hizo cargo de la nave que se encendieron.

[ 69 ]

A lo largo de la historia han sido etiquetados incorrectamente como caribes negros . Cuando
los britnicos se hizo cargo de San Vicente y las Granadinas despus delTratado de Pars en
1763, que se opusieron a los colonos franceses y sus aliados garinagu. El Garinagu
finalmente se rindi a los britnicos en 1796. Los britnicos separaba el ms africano que mira
garfunas de los ms indgenas buscando. 5.000 garfunas fueron exiliados de la isla
granadina de Baliceaux . Sin embargo, slo alrededor de 2.500 de ellos sobrevivieron el viaje
a Roatn , una isla frente a la costa de Honduras. La lengua garifuna pertenece a la familia
lingstica arawak , pero tiene un gran nmero de prstamos de las lenguas caribes y de
Ingls.
Debido a Roatn era demasiado pequea e infrtil para apoyar a su poblacin, la Garinagu
solicit a las autoridades espaolas de Honduras que se le permitiera asentarse en la costa
continental. El espaol los emple como soldados, y se extendi a lo largo de la costa
caribea de Amrica Central. El Garinagu instal en Seine Bight, Punta Gorda y Punta Negra,
Belice, a modo de Honduras ya en 1802. Sin embargo, en Belice 19 de noviembre 1832 es la
fecha oficialmente reconocido como " Garifuna Liquidacin Da "en Dangriga. [ 67 ]
De acuerdo con un estudio gentico, su ascendencia es en promedio 76% del frica
subsahariana , el 20% Arawak / Isla Carib y el 4% de Europa . [ 69 ]
Mestizos [ editar ]
Artculos principales: Belice hispana y mestizos
La cultura mestiza origin a partir de una mezcla de principalmente espaol y Maya . Los
mestizos son el grupo tnico ms grande de Belice y aproximadamente la mitad de la
poblacin. Los pueblos mestizos se centran en una plaza principal, y la vida social se centra
en la Iglesia catlica construida en un lado de la misma. El espaol es el idioma principal de la
mayora de los mestizos y descendientes de espaoles, pero muchos hablan Ingls y Belice
kriol fluidez. [ 70 ] Debido a la influencia de Kriol e ingls muchos mestizos hablan de lo que se
conoce como "la cocina espaola" . [ 71 ]
Alrededor de la dcada de 1840, mestizos, espaoles y yucatecos colonos de Mxico
comenzaron a establecerse en el norte a causa de la Guerra de Castas de Yucatn . [ 70 ]
[ 72 ]

Ellos predominan en el Corozal, Orange Walk, y gran parte del distrito de Cayo, como as

como la ciudad de San Pedro en Ambergris Caye. [ 67 ]

De habla alemana menonitas [ editar ]

Nios menonitas que venden man cerca Lamanai en Belice.Aproximadamente 10.000 Plautdietschhablando menonitas viven en Belice, el cultivo de la tierra y vivir de acuerdo a sus creencias religiosas.

Artculo principal: menonitas en Belice

Algunos 4% de la poblacin de habla alemana menonitas agricultores y artesanos. La gran
mayora son los llamados rusos menonitas de origen alemn que se establecieron en
el Imperio Ruso durante los siglos 18 y 19. La mayora de los menonitas rusos viven en
asentamientos menonitas como Lookout espaoles , Astillero , Pequea Belice y Blue
Creek. Estos menonitas hablan Plautdietsch (un dialecto alemn ) en la vida cotidiana, pero
utilizan mayormente alemn estndar para la lectura (la Biblia) y la escritura.Los de habla
Plautdietsch menonitas llegaron en su mayora de Mxico en los aos posteriores a 1958.
Tambin hay algunos principalmente Pennsylvania alemn -Hablandoviejo orden
menonitas que llegaron desde los Estados Unidos y Canad a finales de 1960. Viven
principalmente en Alta Barton Creek y los asentamientos asociados. Estos menonitas
atrajeron a personas de diferentes anabaptistas fondos que formaron una nueva
comunidad. Se ven muy similares a Vieja Orden Amish , pero son diferentes a ellos. [ 73 ]
Otros grupos [ editar ]
El restante 5% ms o menos de la poblacin consistir en una mezcla de indios , chinos ,
blancos de los Estados Unidos y Canad, y muchos otros grupos extranjeros trados para
ayudar al desarrollo del pas. Durante la dcada de 1860, una gran afluencia de indios
orientales que pas breves perodos de Jamaica y de la Guerra Civil Americanaveteranos
de Luisiana y otros estados del sur estableci asentamientos confederados en Honduras
Britnica y se introdujo la produccin de caa de azcar comercial de la colonia, el
establecimiento de 11 asentamientos en el interior. El siglo 20 vio la llegada de los colonos
ms asiticos de China continental, Corea del Sur, India, Siria y el Lbano . Said Musa , hijo de
un inmigrante de Palestina , fue el Primer Ministro de Belice de 1998 a 2008.
Los centroamericanos inmigrantes y expatriados americanos y africanos tambin comenzaron
a establecerse en el pas. [ 67 ]
La emigracin, la inmigracin y los cambios demogrficos [ editar ]

Criollos y otros grupos tnicos estn emigrando principalmente a Estados Unidos, sino
tambin para el Reino Unido y otros pases desarrollados para obtener mejores
oportunidades. Basado en la ltima Censo de Estados Unidos , el nmero de los beliceos en
los Estados Unidos es de aproximadamente 160.000 (incluyendo 70.000 residentes legales y
ciudadanos naturalizados), constituidos principalmente por criollos y garfunas.

[ 74 ]

Debido a los conflictos en los pases centroamericanos vecinos, mestizos refugiados de El

Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras han huido a Belice en nmeros significativos durante la
dcada de 1980, y se han de aadir significativamente a este grupo. Estos dos
acontecimientos han ido cambiando la demografa de la nacin durante los ltimos 30
aos. [ 75 ]

Idiomas [ editar ]
Artculo principal: Lenguas de Belice
Ingls es el idioma oficial de Belice, antigua colonia britnica. Ingls es el idioma principal de
la educacin pblica, el gobierno y la mayora de los medios de comunicacin. La mayora de
los beliceos, independientemente de su origen tnico hablan un criollo basado en
Ingls llamado criollo beliceo (tambin conocido como Criollo ) para el dilogo ms informal,
social e intertnico.
Cuando existe una lengua criolla junto a su lexifier lenguaje, como es el caso de Belice, se
forma un continuum entre el criollo y el idioma lexifier. Por tanto, es difcil de corroborar o
diferenciar el nmero de hablantes criollos en comparacin con personas de habla
inglesa. Beliceo criollo podra ser mejor descrito como la lengua franca de la nacin. [ 76 ]
Aproximadamente el 50% de los beliceos auto-identifican como mestizos , latino o hispano y
30% hablan espaol como lengua materna. [ 77 ] Cuando Belice era una colonia britnica,
espaola fue prohibido en las escuelas pero hoy en da es ampliamente enseado
como segunda lengua . "La cocina espaola" es una forma intermedia de espaol mezclado
con beliceo criollo, que se habla en las ciudades del norte, como Corozal y San Pedro.

[ 71 ]

Ms de la mitad de la poblacin es bilinge, y un segmento grande es en

realidad multilinge . Siendo un pequeo, tal estado multitnico, rodeado de naciones de
habla hispana, el multilingismo es altamente recomendable.

[ 78 ][ 79 ]

Belice es tambin el hogar de tres idiomas mayas : Q'eqchi ' , el peligro indgena idioma
belicea de Mopan y maya yucateco . [ 80 ][ 81 ][ 82 ] Aproximadamente 16.100 personas hablan
la sede en arawak lengua garfuna , [ 83 ] y 6900 menonitas en Belice hablan
principalmente Plautdietsch mientras que una minora de los menonitas hablan alemn de
Pensilvania . [ 84 ]

Ciudades ms importantes [ editar ]

Ver tambin: Lista de los municipios de Belice

Las ciudades ms grandes o

Mundial Diccionario geog

Rango

Ciudad de Belice

San Ignacio

Nombre

Ciudad de Belice

Di

San Ignacio

Di

Belmopan

Di

Orange Walk Town

Or

San Pedro Town

Di

Corozal Town

Co

Dangriga

Sta

Benque Viejo del Carmen

Di

Ladyville

Di

10

Punta Gorda

Di

Religin [ editar ]
Artculo principal: Religin en Belice
Religin en Belice - Censo 2010
por
ciento

religin

Catlico romano
Protestante
Testigo de Jehov
Musulmn
Otros religin
Sin religin

40,1%
31,8%
1,7%
1%
9,3%
15,5%

La libertad religiosa est garantizada en Belice. Segn el censo de 2010 [ 2 ] 40,1% de los
beliceos son catlicos romanos, el 31,8% son protestantes (8,4% Pentecostal; 5,4%
Adventista; 4,7% Anglicana ; 3,7% Menonita ; 3,6% Bautista ; 2,9% Metodista ; 2,8%

Nazareno), 1.7% son los testigos de Jehov , el 10,3% se adhieren a otras religiones ( religin
Maya , Garfuna religin , Obeah y myalismo , y las minoras de los mormones , los
hindes , los budistas , los musulmanes , los bah's , rastafaris y otros) y 15,5% profesan ser
irreligioso.
Una vez un pas de mayora catlica (sumaban alrededor de 49% en 2000, frente al 57% en
1991), el porcentaje de catlicos en la poblacin ha ido disminuyendo en las ltimas dcadas
debido al crecimiento de las iglesias protestantes, otras religiones y personas no
religiosas. [ 85 ] La Iglesia Ortodoxa griega tiene una presencia enSanta Elena . [ 86 ] El hinduismo
es seguido por la mayora de los inmigrantes indios.
Segn los registros, los musulmanes han sido en Belice desde el siglo 16 despus de haber
sido trado de frica como esclavos. [ 87 ] Otras conversiones ocurrieron durante la dcada de
1960. [ 88 ] Los musulmanes nmero 4,500-5,000 hoy y comprenden el uno por ciento de la
poblacin. [ 89 ] Las oraciones se celebran en unos diez conocidas mezquitas . [ 90 ] El ms
prominente es la Misin Islmica de Belice (IMB), tambin conocida como la Comunidad
Musulmana de Belice. Sin embargo, la nueva mezquita Masjid Al-Falah fue inaugurado
oficialmente en 2008 en la ciudad de Belice. [ 91 ]

Salud [ editar ]
Ms informacin: Salud en Belice
Belice tiene una alta prevalencia de enfermedades transmisibles, como la malaria , las
enfermedades respiratorias y las enfermedades intestinales.

[ 92 ]

Educacin [ editar ]
Artculo principal: Educacin en Belice
Un nmero de jardines de infancia, secundaria y escuelas terciarias en Belice proporcionar
una educacin de calidad para los estudiantes -en su mayora financiados por el
gobierno. Belice posee unos cinco instituciones de nivel terciario, que ofrecen los asociados,
solteros, y ttulos de grado. La universidad ms grande es la Universidad de Belice .
Educacin en Belice es obligatoria entre las edades de 6 y 14 aos. A partir de 2010, la tasa
de alfabetizacin en Belice se estim en 79,7%,

[2]

uno de los ms bajos del hemisferio

occidental .
La poltica educativa est siguiendo la "Estrategia para el Sector Educacin 2011-2016", que
establece 3 objetivos para los aos para ir: Mejorar el acceso, la calidad y la gobernanza del
sistema educativo proporcionando tcnica y la formacin profesional . y formacin [ 93 ]

Crimen [ editar ]
La mayor parte de la violencia en Belice se deriva de la violencia de pandillas, que incluye el
trfico de drogas y de personas, las rutas de contrabando de drogas y derechos de

venta. [ 94 ] Sin embargo, la violencia en Belice es relativamente baja en comparacin con otros
pases centroamericanos como Honduras , El Salvador y Guatemala . [ 95 ]
En 2011, 125 asesinatos se registraron en Belice, dando al pas una tasa de homicidios de 39
asesinatos por cada 100.000 habitantes, la sexta ms alta del mundo.

[ 95 ]

En comparacin con

los otros distritos de Belice, Distrito de Belice (que contiene la ciudad de Belice, en concreto el
parte sur), tena la mayora de asesinatos, con mucho, en comparacin con todos los dems
distritos. En 2007, el 54% de los asesinatos ocurri en el Distrito de Belice.

[ 94 ]

Este aumento

de la violencia en el sur de la ciudad de Belice se debe en gran parte a la guerra de

pandillas. Belice tambin tiene influencia pandilla de pandillas en otros pases
centroamericanos, como MS-13 y Calle 18.

[ 96 ][ 97 ]

Aparte del alto nmero de asesinatos, tambin hay casos de violacin (38 inform en 2007),
robos (507 inform en 2007), y los robos (1.244 casos en 2007).

[ 94 ]

En 2007, la polica de

Belice incautaron 130 armas de fuego, 507 kilos de marihuana y 32 kilos de cocana , y
dispuesto de ms de veintitrs mil plantas de marihuana maduros.

[ 94 ]

El Departamento de Polica de Belice ha implementado muchas medidas de proteccin con la

esperanza de disminuir el alto nmero de crmenes. Estas medidas incluyen la adicin de ms
patrullas a "puntos calientes" de la ciudad, la obtencin de ms recursos para hacer frente a la
difcil situacin, la creacin del programa "Haz lo que debas para Jvenes en Riesgo", la
creacin de la Lnea Directa de Informacin del Delito, la creacin de la Comisin de
Desarrollo Ciudadano Yabra , una organizacin que ayuda a los jvenes, y muchas otras
iniciativas. El Departamento de Polica de Belice comenz una campaa de Navidad AntiCrimen focalizacin criminales; como resultado, los ndices de criminalidad se redujo en ese
mes. [ 94 ] En 2011, el gobierno estableci una tregua entre muchas bandas importantes, la
reduccin de la tasa de homicidios. [ 95 ]

Estructura social [ editar ]

Ms informacin: sociedad de Belice
Estructura social de Belice se caracteriza por soportar las diferencias en la distribucin de la
riqueza, el poder y el prestigio. Debido al pequeo tamao de la poblacin de Belice y la
escala ntima de las relaciones sociales, la distancia social entre los ricos y los pobres, aunque
significativo, no es en absoluto tan vasto como en otros del Caribe y de Amrica
Central sociedades, como Jamaica y El Salvador . Belice carece de la clase de violencia y
racial conflicto que ha figurado de manera prominente en la vida social de sus vecinos de
Amrica Central. [ 98 ]
El poder poltico y econmico siendo de propiedad de las manos de una pequea lite local, la
mayora de los cuales son ya sea blanco, de piel clara criolla o mestiza . El grupo intermedio
de tamao considerable se compone de personas de diferentes orgenes tnicos. Este grupo

intermedio no constituye un sistema unificado clase social , sino ms bien una serie de la
clase media y la clase trabajadora , grupos vagamente orientados en torno disposiciones
comunes hacia la educacin, la respetabilidad cultural y posibilidades de movilidad social
ascendente. Estas creencias y las prcticas sociales que engendran, ayudan a distinguir el
grupo intermedio de la bases mayora de las personas de Belice . [ 98 ]

Mujeres [ editar ]
En 2012, el Foro Econmico Mundial ubic Belice 102o fuera de 135 pases en su gnero en
el mundo Informe Gap . De todos los pases de Amrica Latina y el Caribe, Belice clasificado
tercero del pasado y tena la hembra a macho menor proporcin de la matrcula escolar
primaria. [ 99 ] En 2013, la ONU dio a Belice un ndice de Desigualdad de Gnero puntuacin de
0,435, ubicndose que 79a de 148 pases. [ 100 ]
A partir de 2013, el 48,3% de las mujeres en Belice participar en la fuerza laboral, en
comparacin con el 81,8% de los hombres. [ 100 ] 13.3% de los escaos en Belice Asamblea
Nacional son ocupados por mujeres.[ 100 ]

Cultura [

editar ]

Artculo principal: Cultura de Belice

En el folklore de Belice, estn las leyendas de Lang Bobi Suzi , La Llorona , La Sucia ,
Luguchu Ellis, Tata Duende , Chatona, X'tabai , Anansi , y el cadejo .
La mayora de los das festivos en Belice son tradicionales de la Commonwealth y las fiestas
cristianas , aunque algunos son especficos de la cultura de Belice como Garifuna Da de
liquidacin y Baron Bliss Day . [ 101 ] Adems, el mes de septiembre se considera un tiempo
especial de celebracin nacional . Adems Da de la Independencia y Caye da de San Jorge,
los beliceos tambin celebran el Carnaval durante septiembre, que tpicamente incluye varios
eventos repartidos por varios das. En algunas zonas de Belice, sin embargo, el Carnaval se
celebra en el momento tradicional antes de la Cuaresma (en febrero). [ 102 ]

Tipo de cocina [ editar ]

Artculo principal: Gastronoma de Belice

El arroz y frijoles (con leche de coco), pollo guisado recado y ensalada de papa. Una comida intertnica
grapas

Cocina de Belice es una amalgama de todas las etnias del pas, respectivamente y su amplia
variedad de alimentos. Podra ser mejor descrito como tanto similar a la cocina americana
mexicana / Central y cocina de Jamaica / anglo-Caribe.
El desayuno consiste tpicamente de pan, harina tortillas , o tomas de frer que a menudo son
de fabricacin casera. Tomas Fry se comen con varios quesos, frijoles refritos , diversas
formas de huevos o cereales, junto con la leche en polvo, caf, o t. Almuerzo varan, desde
alimentos ms ligeros, como el arroz y los frijoles o frijoles y arroz con o sin leche de
coco, tamales , "panades" (cscaras de maz frita con frijoles o pescado), y pasteles de
carne, escabeche (sopa de cebolla), chimole (sopa ), caldo , guisado de pollo y garnaches
(tortillas fritas con frijoles, queso y salsa) a diversas cenas constituidas que ofrecen algn tipo
de arroz y frijoles, carne y ensalada o ensalada de col.
En las zonas rurales, las comidas suelen ser ms sencilla que en las ciudades. Los mayas
utilizan el maz , los frijoles , o calabaza para la mayora de las comidas, y los garfunas son
aficionados a los mariscos, yuca (sobre todo hecho en pan de yuca o Ereba) y verduras. La
nacin est llena de restaurantes y establecimientos de comida rpida que venden bastante
barato. Frutas locales son bastante comunes, pero las verduras crudas de los mercados
menos. La hora de comer es una comunin para las familias y las escuelas y algunos
negocios cierran al medioda para el almuerzo, la reapertura en la tarde. Steak tambin es
comn.

Msica [ editar ]
Artculo principal: Msica de Belice
Punta es por lejos el gnero ms popular de la msica garfuna y se ha convertido en el
gnero ms popular en todo Belice. Es claramente afro-caribea, y, a veces se dice que estar
listo para la popularizacin internacional como estilos similar de ascendencia ( el reggae , el
calipso , merengue ).
Brukdown es un estilo moderno muy popular de la msica de Belice en relacin
con Calypso . Se desarroll a partir de la msica y la danza de los madereros, especialmente
una forma llamada Buru . Reggae ,Dancehall , y Soca importado de Jamaica y el resto de
la Indias Occidentales , y Rap , Hip-Hop , el heavy metal y el rock de la Estados Unidos ,
tambin son populares entre los jvenes de Belice.

Deportes [ editar ]
Artculo principal: Deporte en Belice

Ciclista beliceo Cumplida, Shalini Zabaneh

Los deportes ms importantes en Belice son el ftbol (soccer), el baloncesto , el voleibol y el

ciclismo , con seguidores ms pequeos de las carreras de botes , pista y campo, softbol y el
cricket . Pesca tambin es popular en las zonas costeras de Belice. El Cross Country Cycling
Classic , tambin conocida como la carrera "campo a travs" o el Sbado Santo Cross
Country Cycling Classic, es considerado uno de los ms importantes eventos deportivos
Belice. Este evento deportivo de un da es para ciclistas aficionados, pero tambin ha ganado
una popularidad mundial.
Este evento de ciclismo en Belice tiene siete categoras jinete basado en calificacin jinete, la
edad y el gnero. Llena de accin y emocionante, lo ms interesante de este evento deportivo
permite la participacin de los turistas y visitantes de todas partes del mundo. Las rutas en
bicicleta ofrecen vistas a la vegetacin resplandeciente de las reas forestales y los ros
serpenteantes. Esto hace que el evento sea an ms popular entre los turistas.
La historia del Cross Country Cycling Classic en Belice se remonta a la poca en que Monrad
Metzgen recogi la idea de un pequeo pueblo en la autopista del Norte (ahora Phillip SW
Goldson Highway). La gente de este pueblo utiliza para cubrir largas distancias en sus
bicicletas para asistir al juego semanal de cricket. l improvis en esta observacin y ha
aadido emocin al sembrar la idea de un evento deportivo en el difcil terreno de Carreteras
de Occidente, que fueron entonces mal construidas.
En el da de Pascua, los ciudadanos de Dangriga participar en un torneo de pesca
anual. Primero, segundo y tercer premio se otorgan en base a una combinacin de puntuacin
de tamao, especie, y el nmero.El torneo es transmitido por las estaciones de radio locales, y
premios en dinero se otorga a los ganadores.
El equipo de baloncesto nacional de Belice es el nico equipo nacional que ha logrado
victorias importantes a nivel internacional. Durante el Campeonato de Baloncesto Masculino
de Caricom de 1998, celebrado en el Centro Cvico de la ciudad de Belice. Belice pas a
ganar el campeonato y procedi a participar en el Torneo Centrobasquet 1999 en La
Habana. El equipo nacional termin sptimo de los ocho equipos despus de ganar solamente
1 juego a pesar de jugar cerca todo el camino. En un concierto de regreso en el campeonato

2000 de la CARICOM en Barbados, Belice coloca cuarto. Poco despus, Belice se traslad a
la regin de Amrica Central y gan el campeonato de los Juegos Centroamericanos en 2001.
El equipo ha logrado duplicar este xito, la ltima terminando con un rcord de 2 y 4 en el
campeonato 2006 COCABA. El equipo termin segundo en el torneo 2009 COCABA en
Cancn, Mxico, donde se fue de 3-0 en el juego en grupo. Belice gan su primer partido en el
Torneo Centrobasquet de 2010, derrotando a Trinidad y Tobago, pero perdi mal a Mxico en
una revancha de la final COCABA. Una victoria dura sobre Cuba establece Belice en posicin
de avanzar, pero descendi a Puerto Rico en el partido final y no se clasific.

Smbolos nacionales [ editar ]

Una orqudea negro

Ms informacin: Prosthechea cochleata

La flor nacional de Belice es la orqudea negro ( cochleata Prosthechea , tambin conocido
como Encyclia cochleata ). [ 103 ]
El rbol Nacional de Belice es el Caoba rbol ( Swietenia macrophylla ), uno de los magnficos
gigantes de la selva de Belice. Rising recto y alto a ms de cien pies de grandes contrafuertes
en las races, emerge por encima del dosel de los rboles de los alrededores con una corona
de grandes, brillantes hojas verdes.
En los primeros meses del ao, cuando las hojas caen y aparece un nuevo crecimiento de
color marrn rojizo, el rbol puede ser visto desde una gran distancia. El rbol pone a cabo
una gran oleada de pequeas flores blanquecinas la flor de frutos negros, que son cpsulas
en forma de pera cerca de seis pulgadas de largo. Cuando los frutos maduran, se dividieron
en cinco vlvulas, lo que libera grandes semillas aladas que se realizan por el viento. Caen
sobre la proteccin a la sombra del suelo del bosque y germinan para comenzar un nuevo
ciclo de vida. El rbol de caoba madura en 60 a 80 aos.

El tucn

Colonos britnicos explotaron el bosque de Belice para la caoba, comenzando a mediados del
siglo 17. Fue exportado originalmente para el Reino Unido en forma de troncos cuadrados,
pero los envos ahora consisten principalmente de madera aserrada. El lema "Sub Umbra
Florero" significa:. Bajo la sombra (del rbol de caoba) florezco

[ 103 ]

El tucn ( Ramphastos sulfuratus ) es el ave nacional de Belice. Se destaca por su gran

proyecto de ley, en forma de canoa y sus plumas verdes, azules, rojos y anaranjados brillantes
colores. Los tucanes se encuentran en reas abiertas del pas con grandes rboles. Es sobre
todo negro con las mejillas de color amarillo brillante y el pecho, rojo debajo de la cola y una
mancha blanca distintiva en la base de la cola.

El tapir de Baird .

Tucanes hacen un graznido rana-como montono. A ellos les gusta la fruta, y comen cortando
con el borde dentado de sus facturas. Tucanes anidan en huecos de los rboles, el uso de
orificios naturales o agujeros hechos por pjaros carpinteros, a menudo la ampliacin de la
cavidad mediante la eliminacin de la madera suave y podrido.Ponen dos a cuatro huevos,
que incuban ambos padres. La etapa de anidacin dura de seis a siete semanas.
Animal Nacional de Belice es el tapir de Baird , el mamfero terrestre ms grande de los
trpicos americanos. Tambin se conoce como la vaca de la montaa, a pesar de que est
realmente relacionado con el caballo y el rinoceronte . Est protegido por las leyes de Belice.

Vase tambin [

editar ]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the country in Central America. For other uses, see Belize
(disambiguation).

Belize

Flag

Coat of arms

Motto: "Sub Umbra Floreo" (Latin)

"Under the shade I flourish"

Anthem: "Land of the Free"

MENU
0:00

Royal anthem: "God Save the Queen"

Capital

Belmopan
1715N 8846W

Largest city

Belize City

Official languages

English

Ethnic groups(2010[1][note
1]

52.9% Mestizo
25.9% Kriol (Black)
11.3% Mayan
6.1% Garinagu

3.9% East Indian

3.6% German (Mennonite)
1.2% Other white
1.0% East Asian
1.2% Other
0.3% Unknown
Demonym

Belizean
(/blizin/ or /blin/)

Government

Unitary parliamentaryconstitutional
monarchy

-Monarch

Elizabeth II

-Governor-General

Colville Young

-Prime Minister

Dean Barrow

Legislature

National Assembly

-Upper house

Senate

-Lower house

House of Representatives

Independence
-from the United

September 21, 1981

Kingdom
Area
-Total

22,966[1] km2 (151st)

8,867 sq mi

-Water (%)

0.7

Population
-2014 estimate

340,844[1]

-2010 census

324,528[2]

-Density

14.1/km2 (213th)
36.6/sq mi

GDP (PPP)

2014 estimate

-Total

$2.942 billion[3]

-Per capita

$8,247[3]

GDP (nominal)

2014 estimate

-Total

$1.693 billion[3]

-Per capita

$4,744[3]

HDI (2013)

0.732[4]
high 84th

Currency

Belize dollar (BZD)

Time zone

CST (UTC6)

Drives on the

right

Calling code

501

ISO 3166 code

BZ

Internet TLD

.bz

Belize ( /bliz/) is a country on the eastern coast of Central America. It is the only country in
i

Central America whose official language is English, though Belizean Creole (Kriol)
and Spanish are also commonly spoken. Belize is bordered on the north by Mexico, on the
south and west by Guatemala, and on the east by theCaribbean Sea. Its mainland is about
290 km (180 mi) long and 110 km (68 mi) wide.
With 22,800 square kilometres (8,800 sq mi) of land and as of 2014 a population of 340,844,
[1]

Belize has the lowest population density in Central America.[5] The country's population

growth rate of 1.97% per year (2013) is the second highest in the region and one of the highest
in the Western Hemisphere.[1]
Belize's abundance of terrestrial and marine species and its diversity of ecosystems give it a
key place in the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.[6]
Belize has a diverse society, composed of many cultures and languages that reflect its rich
history. Originally part of the British Empire, it shares a common colonial history with
other Anglophone Caribbean countries. From 1862 to 1973 the area went by the name
of British Honduras. It became an independent Commonwealth realmin 1981, retaining Queen
Elizabeth II as head of state.
Belize is considered a Central American and Caribbean nation with strong ties to both the Latin
American and Caribbean regions.[7] It is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),
the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and the Central American
Integration System (SICA), the only country to hold full membership in all three regional
organisations.

Belize is known for its September Celebrations, and has long been a wide distributor of chicle
gum[8][9] and punta music.[10][11]
Contents
[hide]

1 Etymology

2 History
o

2.1 Early history

2.2 Maya civilization

2.3 Conquest and early colonial period (15061862)

2.4 As part of the British Empire (18621981)

2.5 Independence (since 1981)

3 Government and politics

o

3.1 Political culture

3.2 Foreign relations

3.3 Armed forces

3.4 Administrative divisions

4 Geography
o

4.1 Environment preservation and biodiversity

4.2 Vegetation and flora

4.3 Geology, mineral potential, and energy

4.4 Belize Barrier Reef

4.4.1 Species

4.5 World Heritage Site status

4.6 Climate

5 Economy
o

5.1 Industrial infrastructure

5.2 Tourism

5.3 Transport

6 Society
o

6.1 Demographics

6.2 Ethnic groups

6.2.1 The Maya

6.2.2 Creoles

6.2.3 Garinagu

6.2.4 Mestizos

6.2.5 German-speaking Mennonites

6.2.6 Other groups

6.2.7 Emigration, immigration, and demographic shifts

6.3 Languages

6.4 Largest cities

6.5 Religion

6.6 Health

6.7 Education

6.8 Crime

6.9 Social structure

6.10 Women

7 Culture
o

7.1 Cuisine

7.2 Music

7.3 Sports

7.4 National symbols

8 See also

9 Notes

10 References

11 Further reading

12 External links

Etymology[edit]
The origin of the name Belize is unclear, but the earliest record of the name is found in the
journal of the Dominican priest Fray Jos Delgado, dating to 1677.[12]Delgado recorded the
names of three major rivers that he crossed while travelling north along the Caribbean coast:
Rio Soyte, Rio Xibum, and Rio Balis. These names, which correspond to the Sittee
River, Sibun River and Belize River, were provided to Delgado by his translator.[12] It is likely
that Delgado's "Balis" was actually the Mayan word belix (or beliz), meaning "muddy-watered".
[12]

Others have suggested that the name is derived from a Spanish pronunciation of the name of
the Scottish buccaneer Peter Wallace, which was applied to an early settlement at the mouth
of the Belize River,[13] although there is no proof that Wallace actually settled in the area and
some have characterised this claim as a myth.[12]Several other possible etymologies have been
suggested by writers and historians, including French and African origins. [12]

History[edit]
Main article: History of Belize

Early history[edit]

Extent of the Maya civilisation

The Maya civilization emerged at least three millennia ago in the lowland area of the Yucatn
Peninsula and the highlands to the south, in what is now southeastern Mexico, Belize,
Guatemala, and western Honduras. Many aspects of this culture persist in the area despite
nearly 500 years of European domination. Prior to about 2500 BC, somehunting and
foraging bands settled in small farming villages; they later domesticated crops such as corn,
beans, squash, and chili peppers.
A profusion of languages and subcultures developed within the Maya core culture. Between
about 2500 BC and 250 AD, the basic institutions of Maya civilisation emerged. The peak of
this civilisation occurred during the classic period, which began about 250 AD. [14]

"Caana" at Caracol

"El Castillo" at Xunantunich

Maya civilization[edit]
Main article: Pre-Columbian Belize
The Maya civilization spread across what is now Belize around 1500 BC, and flourished there
until about 900 AD. The recorded history of the middle and southern regions is dominated
by Caracol, an urban political centre that may have supported over 140,000 people. [15][16] North
of the Maya Mountains, the most important political centre wasLamanai.[17] In the late Classic
Era of Maya civilisation (6001000 AD), as many as 1 million people may have lived in the
area that is now Belize.[18]
When Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century, the area that is now Belize included three
distinct Maya territories: Chetumal province, which encompassed the area around Corozal
Bay; Dzuluinicob province, which encompassed the area between the New River and
the Sibun River, west to Tipu; and a southern territory controlled by theManche Ch'ol Maya,
encompassing the area between the Monkey River and the Sarstoon River.[19]

Conquest and early colonial period (15061862)[edit]

Further information: History of Belize (15061862)
Spanish conquistadors explored the land and declared it a Spanish colony but chose not to
settle because of its lack of resources like gold and the strong defence of the Yucatn by the
Mayans. English and Scottish settlers and pirates known as the Baymen entered the area in
the 17th and 18th century respectively and established a logwoodtrade colony, slave economy
and port in what became the Belize District.[20]
Baymen first settled on the coast of what is now Belize in 1638, seeking a sheltered region
from which they could attack Spanish ships (see English settlement in Belize). The settlers
turned to cutting logwood during the 18th century, establishing a system of slave labour
using black slaves. The wood yielded a fixing agent for clothing dyes that was vital to the
European wool industry. The Spanish granted the British settlers the right to occupy the area
and cut logwood in exchange for an end to piracy.[14]

An excerpt from the 1898 Gazette that declared September 10 an official holiday, part of the efforts of the
Centennial Committee

The British first appointed a superintendent over the Belize area in 1786. Before then the
British government had not recognised the settlement as a colony for fear of provoking
a Spanish attack. The delay in government oversight allowed the settlers to establish their own
laws and forms of government. During this period, a few wealthy settlers gained control of the
local legislature, known as the Public Meeting, as well as of most of the settlement's land and
timber.
The Battle of St. George's Caye was a 1798 military engagement off the coast of Belize
between a Spanish invading force from what would become Mexico, attempting to capture
the Baymen-controlled territory for Spain from a small force of Baymen and their Black slaves.
Spain's last attempt occurred on September 10, 1798, when the Baymen and their black slaves
repelled the Spanish fleet in a short engagement with no known casualties on either side. The
anniversary of the battle is a national holiday in Belize and is celebrated by some Belizeans to
commemorate the "first Belizeans" and the defense of their territory.[21]

As part of the British Empire (18621981)[edit]

Main article: British Honduras

The flag of British Honduras.

In the early 19th century, the British sought greater control over the settlers, threatening to
suspend the Public Meeting unless it observed the government's instructions to eliminate
slavery in whole. Slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1838, but this did little to
change working conditions for labourers in the Belize settlement.
Slaves of the colony were valued for their potentially superior abilities in the work
of mahogany extraction. As a result, former slave owners in British Honduras earned 53.69 on
average per slave, the highest amount paid in any British territory.[20]
Soon after, a series of institutions were put in place to ensure the continued presence of a
viable labour force. Some of these greatly restricted the ability of individuals to obtain land, in a
debt-peonage system to organise the newly "free". The position of being "extra special"
mahogany and logwood cutters undergirded the early ascriptions of the capacities (and
consequently the limitations) of people of African descent in the colony. Because a small elite
controlled the settlement's land and commerce, former slaves had no choice but to continue to
work in timber cutting.[20]

In 1836, after the emancipation of Central America from Spanish rule, the British claimed the
right to administer the region. In 1862, Great Britain formally declared it a British Crown
Colony, subordinate to Jamaica, and named it British Honduras.[22]
As a colony, Belize began to attract British investors. Among the British firms that dominated
the colony in the late 19th century was the Belize Estate and Produce Company, which
eventually acquired half of all the privately held land in the colony. Belize Estate's influence
accounts in part for the colony's reliance on the mahogany trade throughout the rest of the 19th
century and the first half of the 20th century.

Panoramic view of Belize City, c. 1914

The Great Depression of the 1930s caused a near-collapse of the colonial economy as British
demand for timber plummeted. The effects of widespread unemployment were worsened by
a devastating hurricanethat struck the colony in 1931. Perceptions of the government's relief
effort as inadequate were aggravated by its refusal to legalise labour unions or introduce a
minimum wage. Economic conditions improved duringWorld War II as many Belizean men
entered the armed forces or otherwise contributed to the war effort.
Following the war, the colony's economy again stagnated because of the pressures caused by
its damaging effect. Britain's decision to devalue the British Honduras dollar in 1949 worsened
economic conditions and led to the creation of the People's Committee, which demanded
independence. The People's Committee's successor, the People's United Party (PUP), sought
constitutional reforms that expanded voting rights to all adults. The first election
under universal suffrage was held in 1954 and was decisively won by the PUP, beginning a
three-decade period in which the PUP dominated the country's politics. Pro-independence
activistGeorge Cadle Price became PUP leader in 1956 and the effective head of government
in 1961, a post he would hold under various titles until 1984.
Under a new constitution Britain granted British Honduras self-government in 1964. On June 1,
1973 British Honduras was officially renamed Belize. [23] Progress toward independence,
however, was hampered by aGuatemalan claim to sovereignty over Belizean territory.

Independence (since 1981)[edit]

While Belize finally attained independence on September 21, 1981, about 1,500 British troops
remained in Belize, the declared purpose being to provide protection from a Guatemalan

threat. To forestall any possible incursions the British had previously stationed a detachment
of Royal Air Force (RAF) VTOL Hawker Siddeley Harriers in the territory in 1975, and again in
1977, as a deterrent. Guatemala refused to recognise the new nation because of its
longstanding territorial dispute with the British until 1991.
With Price at the helm, the PUP won all national elections until 1984. In that election, the first
national election after independence, the PUP was defeated by the United Democratic
Party (UDP). UDP leader Manuel Esquivel replaced Price as prime minister, with Price himself
unexpectedly losing his own House seat to a UDP challenger. The PUP under Price returned to
power after elections in 1989. Guatemalan PresidentJorge Serrano Elas formally recognised
Belize's independence in 1991. The following year the United Kingdom announced that it
would end its military involvement in Belize, and the RAF Harrier detachment was withdrawn
the same year, having remained stationed in the country continuously since its deployment had
become permanent there in 1980. British soldiers were withdrawn in 1994, but the United
Kingdom left behind a military training unit to assist with the newly created Belize Defence
Force.
The UDP regained power in the 1993 national election, and Esquivel became prime minister
for a second time. Soon afterwards Esquivel announced the suspension of a pact reached with
Guatemala during Price's tenure, claiming Price had made too many concessions to gain
Guatemalan recognition. The pact may have curtailed the 130-year-old border dispute between
the two countries. Border tensions continued into the early 2000s, although the two countries
cooperated in other areas.
The PUP won a landslide victory in the 1998 national elections, and PUP leader Said
Musa was sworn in as prime minister. In the 2003 elections the PUP maintained its majority,
and Musa continued as prime minister. He pledged to improve conditions in the
underdeveloped and largely inaccessible southern part of Belize.
In 2005, Belize was the site of unrest caused by discontent with the PUP government,
including tax increases in the national budget. On February 8, 2008, Dean Barrow was sworn
in as prime minister after his UDPwon a landslide victory in general elections. Barrow and the
UDP were re-elected in 2012 with a considerably smaller majority.
Throughout Belize's history, Guatemala has claimed ownership of all or part of Belizean
territory. This claim is occasionally reflected in maps showing Belize as Guatemala's twentythird department. As of June 2015, the border dispute with Guatemala remains unresolved and
quite contentious.[1][24][25] Guatemala's claim to Belizean territory rests, in part, on Clause VII of
the Anglo-Guatemalan Treaty of 1859, which obligated the British to build a road between
Belize City and Guatemala. At various times the issue has required mediation by the United
Kingdom, Caribbean Community heads of government, the Organization of American

States(OAS), Mexico, and the United States. Notably, both Guatemala and Belize participate
in confidence-building measures approved by the OAS such as the Guatemala-Belize
Language Exchange Project.[26]

Government and politics[edit]

Main article: Politics of Belize
Belize is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The structure of government is based on the
British parliamentary system, and the legal system is modelled on the common law of England.
The head of state isQueen Elizabeth II, who holds the title Queen of Belize. Since the Queen
resides in the United Kingdom, she is represented in Belize by the Governor-General.
However, the cabinet, led by the Prime Minister of Belize, who is head of government, acting
as advisers to the Governor-General, in practice exercise executive authority. Cabinet
ministers are members of the majority political party in parliament and usually hold elected
seats within it concurrent with their cabinet positions.
The bicameral National Assembly of Belize is composed of a House of Representatives and
a Senate. The 31 members of the House are popularly elected to a maximum five-year term
and introduce legislation affecting the development of Belize. The Governor-General appoints
the 12 members of the Senate, with a Senate president selected by the members. The Senate
is responsible for debating and approving bills passed by the House.
Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of Belize. Constitutional
safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association. The
judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. [27]
Members of the independent judiciary are appointed. The judicial system includes local
magistrates grouped under the Magistrates' Court, which hears less serious cases.
The Supreme Court (Chief Justice) hears murder and similarly serious cases, and the Court of
Appeal, hears appeals from convicted individuals seeking to have their sentences overturned.
Defendants may, under certain circumstances, appeal their cases to the Caribbean Court of
Justice.

Political culture[edit]
Since 1974 the party system in Belize has been dominated by the centre-left People's United
Party and the centre-right United Democratic Party, although there have been other small
parties that have participated at all levels of elections in the past. Though none of these small
political parties have ever won any significant number of seats and/or offices, their challenge
has been growing over the years.

Foreign relations[edit]
Main article: Foreign relations of Belize

Belize is a full participating member of the United Nations, Commonwealth of

Nations, Organization of American States (OAS), Central American Integration
System (SICA), Caribbean Community (CARICOM),CARICOM Single Market and
Economy (CSME), Association of Caribbean States (ACS),[28] and the Caribbean Court of
Justice (CCJ), which currently pertains only to Barbados, Belize and Guyana. In 2001 the
Caribbean Community heads of government voted on a measure declaring that the region
should work towards replacing the UK's Judicial Committee of the Privy Council with the
Caribbean Court of Justice. It is still in the process of acceding to CARICOM and SICA treaties,
including trade and single market treaties.
Belize is an original member (1995) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and participates
actively in its work. The pact involves the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) subgroup of
the Group of African, Caribbean, and Pacific states (ACP). CARIFORUM presently the only
part of the wider ACP-bloc that has concluded the full regional trade-pact with the European
Union.

Armed forces[edit]
Main article: Military of Belize

Belizean Coast Guard working with the United States Navy. Belize's open water ways and long Barrier
Reef make it susceptible to drug traffickers

The Belize Defence Force (BDF) serves as the country's military and is responsible for
protecting the sovereignty of Belize. The BDF, with the Belize National Coast Guard and the
Immigration Department, is a department of the Ministry of Defence and Immigration. In 1997
the regular army numbered over 900, the reserve army 381, the air wing 45 and the maritime
wing 36, amounting to an overall strength of approximately 1400. [29] In 2005, the maritime wing
became part of the Belizean Coast Guard.[30] In 2012, the Belizean government spent about
$17 million on the military, constituting 1.08% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).[31]
After Belize achieved independence in 1981 the United Kingdom maintained a deterrent force
(British Forces Belize) in the country to protect it from invasion by Guatemala(see Guatemalan
claim to Belizean territory). During the 1980s this included a battalion and No. 1417 Flight
RAF of Harriers. The main British force left in 1994, three years after Guatemala recognised
Belizean independence, but the United Kingdom maintained a training presence via the British

Army Training and Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) and 25 Flight AAC until 2011 when the last
British Forces left Ladyville Barracks, with the exception of seconded advisers. [29]

Administrative divisions[edit]

Districts of Belize

Belize is divided into six districts, shown below with their areas (in km2) and populations at the
2010 Census:[32]
District name

Capital city

Estimated population

Belize District

Belize City

89,247

Cayo District

San Ignacio

73,202

Orange Walk District

Orange Walk Town

45,419

Corozal District

Corozal Town

40,324

Stann Creek District

Dangriga

32,166

Toledo District

Punta Gorda

30,538

These districts are further divided into 31 constituencies. Local government in Belize comprises
four types of local authorities: city councils, town councils, village councils andcommunity
councils. The two city councils (Belize City and Belmopan) and seven town councils cover the
urban population of the country, while village and community councils cover the rural
population.[33]

Geography[edit]
Main article: Geography of Belize

Belize Topography

Belizean jungles are home to thejaguar and many other mammals.Cockscomb Basin Wildlife
Sanctuarywas founded in 1990 as the firstwilderness sanctuary for the jaguar and is regarded by one
author as the premier site for jaguar preservation in the world. [34]

Belize is on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America. It shares a border on the north
with the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, on the west with the Guatemalan department
of Petn, and on the south with the Guatemalan department of Izabal. To the east in the
Caribbean Sea, the second-longest barrier reef in the world flanks much of the 386 kilometres
(240 mi) of predominantly marshy coastline.[35] The area of the country totals 22,960 square
kilometres (8,865 sq mi), an area slightly larger than El Salvador, Israel, Massachusetts or
Wales. The many lagoons along the coasts and in the northern interior reduces the actual land
area to 21,400 square kilometres (8,263 sq mi).
Belize is shaped like a rectangle that extends about 280 kilometres (174 mi) north-south and
about 100 kilometres (62 mi) east-west, with a total land boundary length of 516 kilometres
(321 mi). The undulating courses of two rivers, the Hondo and the Sarstoon River, define much
of the course of the country's northern and southern boundaries. The western border follows
no natural features and runs north-south through lowland forest and highland plateau.
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 ft).[36]
Belize's rugged geography has also made the country's coastline and jungle attractive to drug
smugglers, who use the country as a gateway into Mexico.[37] In 2011, the United States added
Belize to the list of nations considered major drug producers or transit countries for narcotics. [38]

Environment preservation and biodiversity[edit]

Main article: List of protected areas of Belize

Scarlet Macaws are native to Central and northern South America. Various bird sanctuaries exist in
Belize, such as the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.

Belize is a country with a rich variety of wildlife, because of its unique position between
both North and South America, and a wide range of climates and habitats for plant and animal
life.[39] Belize's low human population and approximately 22,970 square kilometres
(8,867 sq mi) of undistributed land makes for an ideal home for the more than 5,000 species of
plants, and hundreds of species of animals, including armadillos, snakes, and monkeys.[40][41]

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is a nature reserve in south-central Belize

established to protect the forests, fauna and watersheds of an approximately 400 square
kilometre area of the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains. The reserve was founded in 1990
as the first wilderness sanctuary for the jaguar and is regarded by one author as the premier
site for jaguar preservation in the world.[34]

Vegetation and flora[edit]

While over 60% of Belize's land surface is covered by forest,[42] some 20% of the country's land
is covered by cultivated land (agriculture) and human settlements.[43]Savannah, scrubland
and wetland constitute the remainder of Belize's land cover. Important mangrove ecosystems
are also represented across Belize's landscape. [44][45] As a part of the globally significant
Mesoamerican Biological Corridor that stretches from southern Mexico to Panama, Belize's
biodiversity both marine and terrestrial is rich, with abundant flora and fauna.
Belize is also a leader in protecting biodiversity and natural resources. As of July 2010 the
Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations of Belize (APAMO) reported that
36% of Belize's land territory falls under some form of official protected status, giving Belize
one of the most extensive systems of terrestrial protected areas in the Americas. [46]
By contrast, Costa Rica only has 25.8% of its land territory protected. [47] Around 13% of
Belize's territorial waters, which contain the Belize Barrier Reef, are also protected. The Belize
Barrier Reef is a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site and is the second-largest barrier
reef in the world, behind Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
A remote sensing study conducted by the Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America
and the Caribbean (CATHALAC) and NASA, in collaboration with the Forest Department and
the Land Information Centre (LIC) of the government of Belize's Ministry of Natural Resources
and the Environment (MNRE), and published in August 2010 revealed that Belize's forest cover
in early 2010 was approximately 62.7%, down from 75.9% in late 1980.[42] A similar study by
Belize Tropical Forest Studies and Conservation International revealed similar trends in terms
of Belize's forest cover.[48] Both studies indicate that each year, 0.6% of Belize's forest cover is
lost, translating to the clearing of an average of 24,835 acres (10,050 ha) each year.
The USAID-supported ERVIR study by CATHALAC, NASA, and the MNRE also showed that
Belize's protected areas have been extremely effective in protecting the country's forests.
While only some 6.4% of forests inside of legally declared protected areas were cleared
between 1980 and 2010, over a quarter of forests outside of protected areas were lost
between 1980 and 2010.
As a country with a relatively high forest cover and a low deforestation rate, Belize has
significant potential for participation in initiatives such as REDD. Significantly, the SERVIR

study on Belize's deforestation[42] was also recognised by the Group on Earth

Observations (GEO), of which Belize is a member nation.[49]

Geology, mineral potential, and energy[edit]

Belize is known to have a number of economically important minerals, but none in quantities
large enough to warrant mining. These minerals include dolomite, barite (source
ofbarium), bauxite (source of aluminium), cassiterite (source of tin), and gold. In
1990 limestone, used in road-building, was the only mineral resource being exploited for either
domestic or export use.
The similarity of Belizean geology to that of oil-producing areas of Mexico and Guatemala
prompted oil companies, principally from the United States, to explore for petroleum at both
offshore and on-land sites in the early 1980s. Initial results were promising, but the pace of
exploration slowed later in the decade, and production operations halted. As a result, Belize
depends almost totally on imported petroleum for its energy needs.
In 2006, the cultivation of newly discovered crude oil in the town of Spanish Lookout has
presented new prospects and problems for this developing nation.[50] The country also has
considerable potential for hydroelectric and other renewable energy resources, such as solar
and biomass. In the mid-1980s, one Belizean businessman even proposed the construction of
a wood-burning power station for the production of electricity, but the idea foundered in the
wake of ecological and economic concerns.

Belize Barrier Reef[edit]

Main article: Belize Barrier Reef

Belize Barrier Reef Aerial Looking North

The Great Blue Hole. A phenomenon of Karst topography

The Belize Barrier Reef is a series of coral reefs straddling the coast of Belize, roughly 300
metres (980 ft) offshore in the north and 40 kilometres (25 mi) in the south within the country
limits. The Belize Barrier Reef is a 300 kilometres (190 mi) long section of the 900 kilometres
(560 mi) long Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is continuous from Cancn on the
northeast tip of the Yucatn Peninsula through the Riviera Maya up to Honduras making it one
of the largest coral reef systems in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and
the New Caledonia Barrier Reef.
It is Belize's top tourist destination, popular for scuba diving and snorkelling, and attracting
almost half of its 260,000 visitors. It is also vital to its fishing industry.[51] In 1842Charles
Darwin described it as "the most remarkable reef in the West Indies".
Species[edit]
The Belize Barrier Reef is home to a large diversity of plants and animals, and is one of the
most diverse ecosystems of the world:

70 hard coral species

36 soft coral species

500 species of fish

hundreds of invertebrate species

With 90% of the reef still to be researched, some estimate that only 10% of all species have
been discovered.[52]

World Heritage Site status[edit]

Many countries interested in the conservation and protection of natural and cultural heritage
sites of the world accede to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural
and Natural Heritage that was adopted by UNESCO in 1972. In 1996 the Reserve System was
designated a World Heritage Site because of its vulnerability and the fact that it contains the

most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biodiversity (according
to criteria VII, IX, and X).
Belize also became the first country in the world to completely ban bottom trawling in
December 2010.[53][54]
Despite these protective measures, the reef is under threat from oceanic pollution as well as
uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. The main threats are hurricanes, along with global
warming and the resulting increase in ocean temperatures,[55] which cause coral bleaching. It is
claimed by scientists that over 40% of Belize's coral reef has been damaged since 1998. [51]

Climate[edit]
Main article: Climate of Belize
Belize has a tropical climate with pronounced wet and dry seasons, although there are
significant variations in weather patterns by region. Temperatures vary according to elevation,
proximity to the coast, and the moderating effects of the northeast trade winds off the
Caribbean. Average temperatures in the coastal regions range from 24 C (75.2 F) in January
to 27 C (80.6 F) in July. Temperatures are slightly higher inland, except for the southern
highland plateaus, such as the Mountain Pine Ridge, where it is noticeably cooler year round.
Overall, the seasons are marked more by differences in humidity and rainfall than in
temperature.
Average rainfall varies considerably, from 1,350 mm (53.1 in) in the north and west to over
4,500 mm (177.2 in) in the extreme south. Seasonal differences in rainfall are greatest in the
northern and central regions of the country where, between January and April or May, less than
100 mm (3.9 in) of rainfall per month. The dry season is shorter in the south, normally only
lasting from February to April. A shorter, less rainy period, known locally as the "little dry",
usually occurs in late July or August, after the initial onset of the rainy season.
Hurricanes have played keyand devastatingroles in Belizean history. In 1931 an unnamed
hurricane destroyed over two-thirds of the buildings in Belize City and killed more than 1,000
people. In 1955 Hurricane Janet levelled the northern town of Corozal. Only six years
later, Hurricane Hattie struck the central coastal area of the country, with winds in excess of
300 km/h (186 mph) and 4 m (13.1 ft) storm tides. The devastation of Belize City for the
second time in thirty years prompted the relocation of the capital some 80 kilometres (50 mi)
inland to the planned city of Belmopan.
In 1978 Hurricane Greta caused more than US$25 million in damages along the southern
coast. On October 9, 2001, Hurricane Iris made landfall at Monkey River Town as a 233 km/h
(145 mph) Category Four storm. The storm demolished most of the homes in the village, and
destroyed the banana crop. In 2007 Hurricane Dean made landfall as a Category 5 storm only

40 km (25 mi) north of the BelizeMexico border. Dean caused extensive damage in northern
Belize.
The most recent hurricane to affect Belize directly was the Category 2 Hurricane Richard,
making landfall approximately 32 km (20 mi) south-southeast of Belize City at around 00:45
UTC on October 25, 2010.[56]The storm moved inland towards Belmopan, causing estimated
damage of BZ$33.8 million ($17.4 million 2010 USD), primarily from damage to crops and
housing.[57]

Economy[edit]
Main article: Economy of Belize

A proportional representation of Belize's exports, 2012.

An oil well in Belize. Petroleum is Belize's chief export

A Sugar cane processing plant, Orange Walk Town, Belize. Sugar is one of Belize's top exports.

Belize has a small, mostly privatised enterprise economy that is based primarily on export
of petroleum and crude oil, agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism
and construction recently assuming greater importance.[50] It has yet to be seen if this will bring
significant economic expansion. As of 2007, oil production was 3,000 bbl/d (480 m3/d) and as
of 2006 oil exports were 1,960 bbl/d (312 m3/d). The country is also a producer of industrial
minerals.[58] In agriculture, sugar, like in colonial times, remains the chief crop, accounting for
nearly half of exports, while the banana industry is the populations's largest employer.[50]
The new government faces important challenges to economic stability. Rapid action to improve
tax collection has been promised, but a lack of progress in reining in spending could bring
the exchange rate under pressure. The tourist and construction sectors strengthened in early
1999, leading to a preliminary estimate of revived growth at 4%. Infrastructure remains a major
economic development challenge;[59] Belize has the region's most expensive electricity. Trade is
important and the major trading partners are the United States, Mexico, the European Union,
and Central America.[59]
Belize has five commercial banks, of which the largest and oldest is Belize Bank. The other
four banks are Heritage Bank, Atlantic Bank, FirstCaribbean International Bank,
andScotiabank (Belize). A robust complex of credit unions began in the 1940s under the
leadership of Marion M. Ganey, S.J., and is a continuing resource for the betterment of the
peoples across economic and cultural lines.[60]

Industrial infrastructure[edit]
This section is outdated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly
available information. (January 2014)
The largest integrated electric utility and the principal distributor in Belize is Belize Electricity
Limited. BEL was approximately 70% owned by Fortis Inc., a Canadian investor-owned
distribution utility, which represented less than 2% of Fortis assets. Fortis took over the
management of BEL in 1999, at the invitation of the government of Belize in an attempt to
mitigate prior financial problems within the locally managed utility. In addition to its regulated
investment in BEL, Fortis owns Belize Electric Company Limited (BECOL), a nonregulated hydroelectric generation business that operates three hydroelectric generating
facilities on the Macal River.
On June 14, 2011, the government of Belize nationalised the majority ownership interest of
Fortis Inc. in Belize Electricity Ltd. The Belize utility encountered serious financial problems
after the country's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in 2008 disallowed the recovery of
previously incurred fuel and purchased power costs in customer rates and set customer rates
at a level that does not allow BEL to earn a fair and reasonable return, Fortis said in a June

2011 statement.[61] BEL appealed this judgment to the Court of Appeal; however, a hearing is
not expected until 2012. In May 2011, the Supreme Court of Belize granted BEL's application
to prevent the PUC from taking any enforcement actions pending the appeal. The Belize
Chamber of Commerce and Industry issued a statement saying the government had acted in
haste and expressed concern over the message it sent to investors.
In August 2009, the government of Belize nationalised Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), which
now competes directly with Speednet. As a result of the nationalisation process,
the interconnection agreements are again subject to negotiations. Both BTL and Speednet
boast a full range of products and services including basic telephone services, national and
international calls, prepaid services, cellular services via GSM 1900 megahertz (MHz) and
3G CDMA 2000 respectively, international cellular roaming, fixed wireless, dial-up and internet,
high-speed DSL, internet service, and national and international data networks. [62]

Tourism[edit]
Main article: Tourism in Belize

Panoramic view of Amigos del Mar diving dock and shop in Ambergris Caye

A combination of natural factorsclimate, the Belize Barrier Reef, over 450 offshore Cayes
(islands), excellent fishing, safe waters for boating, scuba diving, and snorkelling, numerous
rivers for rafting, and kayaking, various jungle and wildlife reserves of fauna and flora, for
hiking, bird watching, and helicopter touring, as well as many Maya ruinssupport the thriving
tourism and ecotourism industry. It also has the largest cavesystem in Central America.
Development costs are high, but the government of Belize has made tourism its second
development priority after agriculture. In 2012, tourist arrivals totalled 917,869 (with about
584,683 from the United States) and tourist receipts amounted to over $1.3 billion.[63]

Transport[edit]
Further information: Transport in Belize

Society[edit]
Demographics[edit]
Main articles: Demographics of Belize and Belizean people

Belize is among the most racially and ethnically diverse countries in the world.

Belize's population was 324,528 in 2010.[2] Belize's total fertility rate in 2009 was 3.6 children
per woman. Its birth rate was 27.33 births/1,000 population, and the death rate was 5.8
deaths/1,000 population.[1]

Ethnic groups[edit]
The Maya[edit]

Mayan children

The Maya are thought to have been in Belize and the Yucatn region since the second
millennium BC; however, much of Belize's original Maya population was wiped out by disease
and conflicts between tribes and with Europeans. Three Maya groups now inhabit the country:
The Yucatec (who came from Yucatn, Mexico, to escape the Caste War of the 1840s),
the Mopan (indigenous to Belize but were forced out by the British; they returned from
Guatemala to evade slavery in the 19th century), and Q'eqchi' (also fled from slavery in
Guatemala in the 19th century).[64] The later groups are chiefly found in the Toledo District.
Creoles[edit]

Main articles: Belizean Creole people and Baymen

Creoles, also known as Kriols, make up roughly 21% of the Belizean population and about
75% of the diaspora. They are descendants of the Baymen slave owners, and slavesbrought to
Belize for the purpose of the logging industry.[65] These slaves were ultimately
of West and Central African descent (many also of Miskito ancestry) from Nicaraguaand born
Africans who had spent very brief periods in Jamaica and Bermuda.[66] Bay Islanders and ethnic
Jamaicans came in the late 19th century, further adding to these already varied peoples,
creating this ethnic group.
For all intents and purposes, Creole is an ethnic and linguistic denomination. Some natives,
even those blonde and blue-eyed, may call themselves Creoles. The designation is more
cultural than racial, and is not limited to some certain physical appearance. [66]
Belize Creole English or Kriol developed during the time in slavery, and historically was only
spoken by former slaves. However, this ethnicity has become synonymous with the Belizean
identity, and as a result it is now spoken by about 75% of Belizeans.[66][67] Belizean Creole is
derived mainly from English. Its substrate languages are the Native American
language Miskito, and the various West African and Bantu languages brought into the country
by slaves. Creoles are found all over Belize, but predominantly in urban areas such as Belize
City, coastal towns and villages, and in the Belize River Valley.[68]
Garinagu[edit]
Main article: Garifuna people

Traditional Garifuna dancers inDangriga, Belize

The Garinagu (singular Garifuna), at around 4.5% of the population, are a mix of West/Central
African, Arawak, and Island Carib ancestry. Though they were captives removed from their
homelands, these people were never documented as slaves. The two prevailing theories is that
in 1635, they were either the survivors of two recorded shipwrecks, or somehow took over the
ship they came on.[69]
Throughout history they have been incorrectly labelled as Black Caribs. When the British took
over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines after the Treaty of Paris in 1763, they were opposed by
French settlers and their Garinagu allies. The Garinagu eventually surrendered to the British in

1796. The British separated the more African-looking Garifunas from the more indigenouslooking ones. 5,000 Garinagu were exiled from the Grenadine island of Baliceaux. However,
only about 2,500 of them survived the voyage to Roatn, an island off the coast of Honduras.
The Garifuna language belongs to the Arawakan language family, but has a large number of
loanwords from Carib languages and from English.
Because Roatn was too small and infertile to support their population, the Garinagu petitioned
the Spanish authorities of Honduras to be allowed to settle on the mainland coast. The Spanish
employed them as soldiers, and they spread along the Caribbean coast of Central America.
The Garinagu settled in Seine Bight, Punta Gorda and Punta Negra, Belize, by way of
Honduras as early as 1802. However, in Belize November 19, 1832 is the date officially
recognised as "Garifuna Settlement Day" in Dangriga.[67]
According to one genetic study, their ancestry is on average 76% Sub Saharan African,
20% Arawak/Island Carib and 4% European.[69]
Mestizos[edit]
Main articles: Hispanic Belizean and Mestizos
The Mestizo culture originated from a mixture of mainly Spanish and Maya. The Mestizos are
the largest ethnic group in Belize and make up approximately half of the population. The
Mestizo towns centre on a main square, and social life focuses on the Catholic Church built on
one side of it. Spanish is the main language of most Mestizos and Spanish descendants, but
many speak English and Belize Kriol fluently.[70] Due to the influence of Kriol and English
languages many Mestizos speak what is known as "Kitchen Spanish".[71]
Around the 1840s, Mestizo, Spanish, and Yucatec settlers from Mexico began to settle in the
north because of the Caste War of Yucatn.[70][72] They predominate in the Corozal, Orange
Walk, and much of the Cayo district, as well as San Pedro town in Ambergris Caye. [67]
German-speaking Mennonites[edit]

Mennonite children selling peanuts near Lamanai in Belize. Roughly 10,000 PlautdietschspeakingMennonites live in Belize, farming the land and living according to their religious beliefs.

Main article: Mennonites in Belize

Some 4% of the population are German-speaking Mennonite farmers and craftsmen. The vast
majority are so-called Russian Mennonites of German descent who settled in the Russian
Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries. Most Russian Mennonites live in Mennonite
settlements like Spanish Lookout, Shipyard, Little Belize, and Blue Creek. These Mennonites
speak Plautdietsch (a German dialect) in everyday life, but use mostly Standard German for
reading (the Bible) and writing. The Plautdietsch-speakingMennonites came mostly from
Mexico in the years after 1958. There are also some mainly Pennsylvania Germanspeaking Old Order Mennonites who came from the United States and Canada in the late
1960s. They live primarily in Upper Barton Creek and associated settlements. These
Mennonites attracted people from different Anabaptistbackgrounds who formed a new
community. They look quite similar to Old Order Amish, but are different from them.[73]
Other groups[edit]
The remaining 5% or so of the population consist of a mix of Indians, Chinese, whites from the
United States and Canada, and many other foreign groups brought to assist the country's
development. During the 1860s, a large influx of East Indians who spent brief periods in
Jamaica and American Civil War veterans from Louisiana and other Southern states
established Confederate settlements in British Honduras and introduced commercial sugar
cane production to the colony, establishing 11 settlements in the interior. The 20th century saw
the arrival of more Asian settlers from mainland China, South Korea, India, Syria,
and Lebanon. Said Musa, the son of an immigrant from Palestine, was thePrime Minister of
Belize from 1998 to 2008. Central American immigrants and expatriate Americans and Africans
also began to settle in the country.[67]
Emigration, immigration, and demographic shifts[edit]
Creoles and other ethnic groups are emigrating mostly to the United States, but also to the
United Kingdom and other developed nations for better opportunities. Based on the latest U.S.
Census, the number of Belizeans in the United States is approximately 160,000 (including
70,000 legal residents and naturalised citizens), consisting mainly of Creoles and Garinagu. [74]
Because of conflicts in neighbouring Central American nations, Mestizo refugees from El
Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras have fled to Belize in significant numbers during the
1980s, and have been significantly adding to this group. These two events have been changing
the demographics of the nation for the last 30 years.[75]

Languages[edit]
Main article: Languages of Belize
English is the official language of Belize, a former British colony. English is the primary
language of public education, government and most media outlets. The majority of Belizeans

regardless of ethnicity speak anEnglish-based creole called Belizean Creole (also referred to
as Kriol) for most informal, social and interethnic dialogue.
When a Creole language exists alongside its lexifier language, as is the case in Belize, a
continuum forms between the Creole and the lexifier language. It is therefore difficult to
substantiate or differentiate the number of Creole speakers compared to English speakers.
Belizean Creole might best be described as the lingua franca of the nation.[76]
Approximately 50% of Belizeans self-identify as Mestizo, Latino, or Hispanic and 30% speak
Spanish as a native language.[77] When Belize was a British colony, Spanish was banned in
schools but today it is widely taught as a second language. "Kitchen Spanish" is an
intermediate form of Spanish mixed with Belizean Creole, spoken in the northern towns such
as Corozal and San Pedro.[71]
Over half the population is bilingual, and a large segment is actually multilingual. Being such a
small, multiethnic state, surrounded by Spanish-speaking nations, multilingualism is strongly
encouraged.[78][79]
Belize is also home to three Mayan languages: Qeqchi, the endangered indigenous Belizean
language of Mopan, and Yucatec Maya.[80][81][82] Approximately 16,100 people speak
the Arawakan-based Garifuna language,[83] and 6,900 Mennonites in Belize speak
mainly Plautdietsch while a minority of Mennonites speak Pennsylvania German.[84]

Largest cities[edit]
See also: List of municipalities in Belize

Largest cities or town

World Gazetteer:
Rank

Name

Belize City

Beliz

San Ignacio

Cayo

Belmopan

Cayo

Orange Walk Town

Oran

Belize City

San Ignacio

San Pedro Town

Beliz

Corozal Town

Coro

Dangriga

Stan

Benque Viejo del Carmen

Cayo

Ladyville

Beliz

10

Punta Gorda

Toled

Religion[edit]
Main article: Religion in Belize
Religion in Belize 2010 Census
percen
t

religion

Roman Catholic
Protestant
Jehovah's Witness
Muslim
Other religion
No religion

40.1%
31.8%
1.7%
1%
9.3%
15.5%

Religious freedom is guaranteed in Belize. According to the 2010 census [2] 40.1% of Belizeans
are Roman Catholics, 31.8% are Protestants (8.4% Pentecostal; 5.4% Adventist;
4.7% Anglican; 3.7% Mennonite; 3.6% Baptist; 2.9% Methodist; 2.8% Nazarene), 1.7%
are Jehovah's Witnesses, 10.3% adhere to other religions (Maya religion, Garifuna
religion, Obeah and Myalism, and minorities
of Mormons, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Baha'is, Rastafarians and other) and 15.5% profess
to be irreligious.
Once a Catholic-majority country (they numbered around 49% in 2000, down from 57% in
1991), the percentage of Roman Catholics in the population has been decreasing in the past
few decades due to the growth of Protestant churches, other religions and non-religious
people.[85] The Greek Orthodox Church has a presence in Santa Elena.[86] Hinduism is followed
by most Indian immigrants.
According to records, Muslims have been in Belize since the 16th century having been brought
over from Africa as slaves.[87] Further conversions occurred during the 1960s.[88] Muslims
number 4,500-5,000 today and comprise one percent of the population. [89] Prayers are held in
about ten known mosques.[90] The most prominent is the Islamic Mission of Belize (IMB), also
known as the Muslim Community of Belize. However, the new Masjid Al-Falah mosque was
officially opened in 2008 in Belize City.[91]

Health[edit]

Further information: Healthcare in Belize

Belize has a high prevalence of communicable diseases such as malaria, respiratory diseases
and intestinal illnesses.[92]

Education[edit]
Main article: Education in Belize
A number of kindergartens, secondary, and tertiary schools in Belize provide quality education
for studentsmostly funded by the government. Belize possesses about five tertiary level
institutions, which offer associates, bachelors, and undergraduate degrees. The biggest
university is the University of Belize.
Education in Belize is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 14 years. As of 2010, the literacy
rate in Belize was estimated at 79.7%,[2] one of the lowest in the Western Hemisphere.
The educational policy is currently following the "Education Sector Strategy 20112016", which
sets 3 objectives for the years to go: Improving access, quality and governance of the
education system by providing technical and vocational education and training.[93]

Crime[edit]
The majority of violence in Belize stems from gang violence, which includes trafficking of drugs
and persons, drug smuggling routes, and sales rights. [94] Even so, violence in Belize is relatively
lower compared to other Central American countries such as Honduras, El Salvador,
and Guatemala.[95]
In 2011, 125 murders were recorded in Belize, giving the country a homicide rate of 39
murders per 100,000 inhabitants, the sixth highest in the world. [95] Compared to the other
districts in Belize, Belize District (containing Belize City, specifically the southern part), had the
most murders by far compared to all the other districts. In 2007, 54% of the murders occurred
in the Belize District.[94] This increase in violence in the south of Belize City is largely due to
gang warfare. Belize also has gang influence from gangs in other Central American countries
such as MS-13 and 18 Street.[96][97]
Aside from the high number of murders, there are also rape cases (38 reported in 2007),
robberies (507 reported in 2007), and burglaries (1,244 cases in 2007). [94] In 2007, the Belize
police seized 130 firearms, 507 kilos of cannabis and 32 kilograms of cocaine, and disposed of
over twenty-three thousand mature marijuana plants.[94]
The Belize Police Department has implemented many protective measures in hopes of
decreasing the high number of crimes. These measures include adding more patrols to "hot
spots" in the city, obtaining more resources to deal with the predicament, creating the "Do the
Right Thing for Youths at Risk" program, creating the Crime Information Hotline, creating the
Yabra Citizen Development Committee, an organisation that helps youth, and many other

initiatives. The Belize Police Department began an Anti-Crime Christmas campaign targeting
criminals; as a result, the crime rates dropped in that month.[94] In 2011, the government
established a truce between many major gangs, lowering the murder rate. [95]

Social structure[edit]
Further information: Belizean society
Belize's social structure is marked by enduring differences in the distribution of wealth, power,
and prestige. Because of the small size of Belize's population and the intimate scale of social
relations, the social distance between the rich and the poor, while significant, is nowhere as
vast as in other Caribbean and Central American societies, such as Jamaica and El Salvador.
Belize lacks the violent class and racial conflict that has figured so prominently in the social life
of its Central American neighbors.[98]
Political and economic power remain vested in the hands of a relatively small local elite, most
of whom are either white, light-skinned Creole, or Mestizo. The sizable middle group is
composed of peoples of different ethnic backgrounds. This middle group does not constitute a
unified social class, but rather a number of middle-class and working-class groups, loosely
oriented around shared dispositions toward education, cultural respectability, and possibilities
for upward social mobility. These beliefs and the social practices they engender, help
distinguish the middle group from the grass roots majority of the Belizean people.[98]

Women[edit]
In 2012, the World Economic Forum ranked Belize 102nd out of 135 countries in its Global
Gender Gap Report. Of all the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Belize ranked 3rd
from last and had the lowest female-to-male ratio for primary school enrollment. [99] In 2013,
the UN gave Belize a Gender Inequality Index score of 0.435, ranking it 79th out of 148
countries.[100]
As of 2013, 48.3% of women in Belize participate in the workforce, compared to 81.8% of men.
[100]

13.3% of the seats in Belize's National Assembly are filled by women.[100]

Culture[edit]
Main article: Culture of Belize
In Belizean folklore, there are the legends of Lang Bobi Suzi, La Llorona, La Sucia, Luguchu
Ellis, Tata Duende, Chatona, X'tabai, Anansi, and the cadejo.
Most of the public holidays in Belize are traditional Commonwealth and Christian holidays,
although some are specific to Belizean culture such as Garifuna Settlement Day and Baron
Bliss Day.[101] In addition, the month of September is considered a special time of national
celebration. Besides Independence Day and St. George's Caye Day, Belizeans also
celebrate Carnival during September, which typically includes several events spread across

multiple days. In some areas of Belize, however, Carnival is celebrated at the traditional time
before Lent (in February).[102]

Cuisine[edit]
Main article: Cuisine of Belize

Rice and beans (with coconut milk), stewed recado chicken and potato salad. An inter-ethnic staple meal

Belizean cuisine is an amalgamation of all ethnicities in the nation, and their respectively wide
variety of foods. It might best be described as both similar to Mexican/Central American cuisine
and Jamaican/Anglo-Caribbean cuisine.
Breakfast typically consists of bread, flour tortillas, or fry jacks that are often homemade. Fry
jacks are eaten with various cheeses, refried beans, various forms of eggs or cereal, along
with powdered milk, coffee, or tea. Midday meals vary, from lighter foods such as rice and
beans or beans and rice with or without coconut milk, tamales,"panades" (fried maize shells
with beans or fish), and meat pies, escabeche (onion soup), chimole (soup), caldo, stewed
chicken and garnaches (fried tortillas with beans, cheese, and sauce) to various constituted
dinners featuring some type of rice and beans, meat and salad or coleslaw.
In rural areas, meals are typically more simple than in cities. The Maya use maize, beans,
or squash for most meals, and the Garifuna are fond of seafood, cassava(particularly made
into cassava bread or Ereba) and vegetables. The nation abounds with restaurants and fast
food establishments selling fairly cheaply. Local fruits are quite common, but raw vegetables
from the markets less so. Mealtime is a communion for families and schools and some
businesses close at midday for lunch, reopening later in the afternoon. Steak is also common.

Music[edit]
Main article: Music of Belize
Punta is by the far most popular genre of Garifuna music and has become the most popular
genre in all of Belize. It is distinctly Afro-Caribbean, and is sometimes said to be ready for
international popularization like similarly-descended styles (reggae, calypso, merengue).
Brukdown is a very popular modern style of Belizean music related to Calypso. It evolved out
of the music and dance of loggers, especially a form called buru. Reggae, Dancehall,

and Soca imported from Jamaicaand the rest of the West Indies, and Rap, Hip-Hop, heavy
metal and rock music from the United States, are also popular among the youth of Belize.

Sports[edit]
Main article: Sport in Belize

Accomplished Belizean cyclist, Shalini Zabaneh

The major sports in Belize are football (soccer), basketball, volleyball and cycling, with smaller
followings of boat racing, track and field, softball and cricket. Fishing is also popular in coastal
areas of Belize. The Cross Country Cycling Classic, also known as the "cross country" race or
the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, is considered one of the most important
Belize sports events. This one-day sports event is meant for amateur cyclists but has also
gained a worldwide popularity.
This cycling event in Belize has seven rider categories based on rider rating, age, and gender.
Action-packed and thrilling, this most interesting sporting event allows for the participation of
tourists and visitors alike from all over the world. The cycling routes offer views across the
resplendent greenery of the forest areas and the meandering rivers. This makes the event
even more popular among the tourists.
The history of Cross Country Cycling Classic in Belize dates back to the period when Monrad
Metzgen picked up the idea from a small village on the Northern Highway (now Phillip S. W.
Goldson Highway). The people from this village used to cover long distances on their bicycles
to attend the weekly game of cricket. He improvised on this observation and added thrill by
sowing the idea of a sporting event in the difficult terrain of Western Highways, which were
then poorly built.
On Easter day, citizens of Dangriga participate in a yearly fishing tournament. First, second,
and third prize are awarded based on a scoring combination of size, species, and number. The
tournament is broadcast over local radio stations, and prize money is awarded to the winners.
The Belize national basketball team is the only National Team that has achieved major victories
internationally. During the 1998 Caricom Men's Basketball Championship, held at the Civic
Center in Belize City. Belize went on to win the championship and proceeded to participate in
the 1999 Centrobasquet Tournament in Havana. The National Team finished seventh of eight

teams after winning only 1 game despite playing close all the way. In a return engagement at
the 2000 CARICOM championship in Barbados, Belize placed fourth. Shortly thereafter, Belize
moved to the Central American region and won the Central American Games championship in
2001.
The team has failed to duplicate this success, most recently finishing with a 2 and 4 record in
the 2006 COCABA championship. The team finished second in the 2009 COCABA tournament
in Cancun, Mexico where it went 30 in group play. Belize won its opening match in the
Centrobasquet Tournament, 2010, defeating Trinidad and Tobago, but lost badly to Mexico in a
rematch of the COCABA final. A tough win over Cuba set Belize in position to advance, but
they fell to Puerto Rico in their final match and failed to qualify.

National symbols[edit]

A black orchid

Further information: Prosthechea cochleata

The National Flower of Belize is the black orchid (Prosthechea cochleata, also known
as Encyclia cochleata).[103]
The National Tree of Belize is the Mahogany tree (Swietenia macrophylla), one of the
magnificent giants of the Belize rain forest. Rising straight and tall to over a hundred feet from
great buttresses at the roots, it emerges above the canopy of the surrounding trees with a
crown of large, shining green leaves.
In the early months of the year, when the leaves fall and new red-brown growth appears, the
tree can be spotted from a great distance. The tree puts out a great flush of small whitish
flowersthe blossom for dark fruits, which are pear-shaped capsules about six inches long.
When the fruits mature, they split into five valves, which frees large winged seeds that are
carried away by the wind. They fall on the shaded protection of the forest floor and germinate
to begin a new life cycle. The mahogany tree matures in 60 to 80 years.

The keel-billed toucan

British settlers exploited the Belizean forest for mahogany, beginning around the middle of the
17th century. It was originally exported to the United Kingdom in the form of squared logs, but
shipments now consist mainly of sawn lumber. The motto "Sub Umbra Florero" means: Under
the shade (of the mahogany tree) I flourish.[103]
The keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) is the national bird of Belize. It is noted for its
great, canoe-shaped bill and its brightly coloured green, blue, red and orange feathers.
Toucans are found in open areas of the country with large trees. It is mostly black with bright
yellow cheeks and chest, red under the tail and a distinctive white patch at the base of the tail.

The Baird's tapir.

Toucans make a monotonous frog-like croak. They like fruit, and eat by cutting with the
serrated edge of their bills. Toucans nest in holes in trees, using natural holes or holes made
by woodpeckers, often enlarging the cavity by removing soft, rotten wood. They lay two to four
eggs, which both parents incubate. The nesting stage lasts from six to seven weeks.
Belize's National Animal is the Baird's tapir, the largest land mammal of the American tropics. It
is also known as the mountain cow, although it is actually related to the horse and
the rhinoceros. It is protected under Belizean law.

See also[edit]

De Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

Este artculo est sobre el pas constituyente dentro del Reino de Nueva Zelanda . Para otras
aplicaciones, vea Nueva Zelanda (desambiguacin) .
"Nueva Zelanda" vuelve a dirigir aqu. Para otras aplicaciones, vea NZ (desambiguacin) .

Nueva Zelanda
Aotearoa ( maores )

Bandera

Escudo de armas

Himno:

" Dios Defiende Nueva Zelanda "

MEN
0:00

" God Save the Queen " [ n 1 ]

Localizacin de Nueva Zelanda en el Reino de la Nueva Zelanda

Capital

Wellington
41 17'S 174 27'E

Ciudad ms grande

Auckland

Lenguajes oficiales
95,9% Ingls [ n 2 ]
4,2% de los maores
0,6% NZ Lengua de Signos
Grupos tnicos ( 2013 )
74,0% de Europa
14,9% de los maores
11,8% de Asia
7,4% los pueblos del
Pacfico
1.2% Oriente
Medio,Amrica Latina , frica
1,7% Otros [ 4 ]
Gentilicio

Neocelands
Kiwi (informal)

Gobierno

Unitario parlamentariamonarqua

constitucional
Monarca

Isabel II

Gobernador general

Jerry Mateparae

Primer ministro

John Key

Legislatura

Parlamento
( Cmara de Representantes )

Independencia del Reino Unido

Gobierno Responsable

07 de mayo 1856

Dominio

26 de septiembre 1907

Estatuto de Westminster

25 de noviembre 1947

- adoptada
De jure independencia

10 de diciembre 1947

Zona
Total
-

268.021 kilometros 2 ( 75a )

103.483 millas cuadradas

De agua (%)

1.6 [ n 3 ]

Poblacin
03 2015 estimacin

4.578.900 [ 6 ] ( 123a )

2013 censo

4242048

Densidad

16.8 / km 2 ( 205a )

43.6 / milla

PIB ( PPP )

2015 estimacin

Total

164965000000 dlares [ 7 ]

Per capita

$ 36.152 [ 7 ]

PIB (nominal)
Total

2015 estimacin
$ 191.730 millones [ 7 ]

Per capita

$ 42.017 [ 7 ]

Gini (2010)

0,32 [ 8 ]
bajo
0.910 [ 9 ]

IDH (2013)

muy alto sptimo

Moneda

Dlar de Nueva Zelanda($) ( NZD )

Zona horaria

NZST [ n 4 ] ( UTC 12)

Verano ( DST )

NZDT ( UTC 13)

(Septiembre a abril)
Formato de fecha

dd / mm / aaaa

Unidades de la

izquierda

Cdigo de llamada

64

Cdigo ISO 3166

Nueva Zelanda

TLD de Internet

.nz

Nueva Zelanda ( maor : Aotearoa [ataa] ) es un pas insular en el suroeste del Ocano
Pacfico .
El pas comprende geogrficamente dos tierras emergidas principales - la de la Isla Norte ,
o Te Ika-a-Mui , y la Isla Sur , o Te Waipounamu - y numerosas islas ms pequeas . Nueva
Zelanda se encuentra a unos 1.500 kilmetros (900 millas) al este de Australia a travs
del mar de Tasmania y aproximadamente 1.000 kilmetros (600 millas) al sur de las reas
insulares del Pacfico de Nueva Caledonia , Fiji y Tonga . Debido a su lejana, que era una de
las ltimas tierras que ser resuelta por los seres humanos. Durante su largo aislamiento,
Nueva Zelanda desarroll una peculiar biodiversidad de animales, hongos y plantas. Variada
topografa del pas y sus picos de las montaas punzantes, como los Alpes del Sur , deben
mucho al levantamiento tectnico de las erupciones terrestres y volcnicas. La capital de
Nueva Zelanda es Wellington , mientras que su ciudad ms poblada es Auckland .
Polinesios se establecieron en Nueva Zelanda 1250-1300 CE y desarrollaron una
distintiva cultura maor . Abel Tasman , un explorador holands, fue el primer europeo en
avistar Nueva Zelanda en 1642. [ 10 ] En 1840, los representantes de la Corona y los maores
jefes britnicos firmaron el Tratado de Waitangi , por lo que Nueva Zelanda una colonia

britnica . Hoy en da, la mayora de la poblacin de Nueva Zelanda de 4,5 millones es

de origen europeo ; los maores indgenas son la minora ms grande, seguido por los
asiticos e isleos del Pacfico. Como reflejo de esto, la cultura de Nueva Zelanda se deriva
principalmente de los maores y los colonos britnicos tempranos, con la reciente ampliacin
derivada del aumento de la inmigracin . Los idiomas oficiales son el Ingls, los maores
y Nueva Zelanda del lenguaje de signos , con predominante Ingls. La economa del pas
estaba dominado histricamente por la exportacin de lana, pero las exportaciones de
productos lcteos, la carne y el vino, junto con el turismo, son ms importantes en la
actualidad.
A nivel nacional, la autoridad legislativa recae en un elegido, unicameral Parlamento , mientras
que el poder poltico ejecutivo es ejercido por el Consejo de Ministros , encabezado por
el primer ministro , quien se encuentra John Key . Reina Isabel II es del pas jefe de Estado y
est representada por un gobernador -General . Adems, Nueva Zelanda est organizada en
11 consejos regionales y 67 autoridades territoriales para fines estatales locales. El reino de
Nueva Zelanda tambin incluye Tokelau (un territorio dependiente ); la Islas
Cook y Niue (autnomos estados en libre asociacin con Nueva Zelanda); y la dependencia
de Ross , que es de Nueva Zelanda reclamacin territorial en la Antrtida . Nueva Zelanda es
un miembro de la Naciones Unidas , la Comunidad de Naciones ,ANZUS , Organizacin para
la Cooperacin y el Desarrollo , Foro de las Islas del Pacfico y de la Cooperacin Econmica
Asia-Pacfico .
Contenido
[ ocultar ]

1 Etimologa

2 Historia

3 Poltica
o

3.1 Gobierno

3.2 Relaciones exteriores y militares

3.3 territorios gubernamentales locales y externos

4 Ambiente
o

4.1 Geografa

4.2 Clima

4.3 Biodiversidad

5 Economa
o

5.1 Comercio

5.2 Infraestructura

6 Demografa
o

6.1 Raza y la inmigracin

6.2 Idioma

6.3 Educacin

6.4 Religin

7 Cultura
o

7.1 Arte

7.2 Literatura

7.3 Medios y entretenimiento

7.4 Deportes

8 Vase tambin

9 Notas
o

9.1 Notas al pie

9.2 Citaciones

10 Referencias

11 Lectura adicional

12 Enlaces externos

Etimologa
Ver tambin: los nombres de lugares de Nueva Zelanda

Detalle de un mapa que muestra la costa 1,657 occidental de "Nova Zeelandia"

Holands explorador Abel Tasman avist Nueva Zelanda en 1642 y lo llam Staten Landt ,
suponiendo que estaba conectado a una masa de tierra del mismo nombre en el extremo sur
de Amrica del Sur. [ 11 ] En 1645 holandesescartgrafos renombraron la tierra Nova
Zeelandia despus de la provincia holandesa de Zeeland . [ 12 ][ 13 ] el explorador britnico James
Cook posteriormente anglicaniz el nombre a Nueva Zelanda. [ n 5 ]
Aotearoa (a menudo traducido como "tierra de la larga nube blanca")

[ 14 ]

es el nombre actual

de los maores de Nueva Zelanda. Se desconoce si los maores tena un nombre para todo el
pas antes de la llegada de los europeos, conAotearoa originalmente se refera slo a la Isla
Norte . [ 15 ] maor tuvo varios nombres tradicionales de las dos islas principales, incluyendo Te
Ika-a-Mui ( los peces del Mui ) para la Isla del Norte y Te Waipounamu (las aguas de piedra
verde ) o Te Waka o Aoraki (la canoa de Aoraki ) para la Isla Sur . [ 16 ] Los primeros mapas
europeos marcaron las islas del Norte (Isla Norte), Media (Isla del Sur) y del Sur ( Stewart
Island / Rakiura ). [ 17 ] En 1830, comenzaron a utilizar mapas del Norte y del Sur para distinguir
las dos islas ms grandes y en 1907 sta era la norma aceptada.

[ 18 ]

La Junta Geogrfica de

Nueva Zelanda descubrieron en 2009 que los nombres de la Isla Norte y la Isla Sur nunca
haban formalizado, y los nombres y nombres alternativos se formaliz en 2013. Esto
estableci los nombres como Isla Norte o Te Ika-a-Maui, y la Isla del Sur o Te
Waipounamu. [ 19 ] Ntese que para cada isla, ya sea su nombre Ingls o Mori puede ser
utilizado, o ambos se puede utilizar juntos.

Historia
Artculo principal: Historia de Nueva Zelanda

Las personas maores son ms probable descendientes de personas que emigraron deTaiwan a la
Melanesia y luego viajaron al este a travs de las Islas de la Sociedad . Despus de una pausa de 70 a
265 aos, una nueva ola de exploracin llev al descubrimiento y colonizacin de Nueva Zelanda.

[ 20 ]

Nueva Zelanda fue uno de los ltimos grandes masas de tierra asentados por los seres
humanos. datacin por radiocarbono , la evidencia de la deforestacin [ 21 ] y el ADN
mitocondrial variabilidad dentro maores poblaciones [ 22 ] sugieren Nueva Zelanda fue
colonizada por Oriente polinesios entre 1250 y 1300, [ 16 ][ 23 ] de concluir una larga serie de viajes
a travs de las islas del Pacfico sur. [ 24 ] A travs de los siglos que siguieron a estos colonos
desarrollaron una cultura distinta ahora conocido como los maores. La poblacin se divide
en iwi (tribus) y hap (subtribus) quien en ocasiones cooperar, a veces competir ya veces
luchar entre s.En algn momento, un grupo de maores emigraron a las islas Chatham (que
llamaron Rekohu ) donde desarrollaron sus propias instituciones moriori cultura. [ 25 ][ 26 ] La
poblacin moriori fue casi aniquilada entre 1835 y 1862, en gran parte debido
a Taranaki maores la invasin y la esclavitud en la dcada de 1830, aunque las
enfermedades europeas tambin contribuyeron. En 1862 solamente 101 sobrevivieron y
conocida la ltima moriori de pura sangre muri en 1933. [ 27 ]
Los primeros europeos que se sabe que han llegado a Nueva Zelanda eran explorador
holands Abel Tasman y su equipo en 1642. [ 28 ] En un encuentro hostil, cuatro miembros de la
tripulacin murieron y al menos uno de los maores fue alcanzado por disparo de bote . [ 29 ] Los
europeos no lo hicieron revisitar Nueva Zelanda hasta el 1769 cuando el explorador
britnico James Cook asigna casi toda la costa. [ 28 ] Despus de Cook, Nueva Zelanda fue
visitado por numerosos de Europa y Amrica del Norte la caza de ballenas , sellado y barcos
mercantes. Cambiaron los alimentos, herramientas de metal, armas y otras mercancas para
la madera, alimentos, artefactos y agua. [ 30 ] La introduccin de la papa y
el mosquete transformaron la agricultura y la guerra maor. Patatas proporcionaron un

excedente de alimentos confiable, lo que permiti ms tiempo y las campaas militares ms

sostenidos. [ 31 ] El intertribal resultante Mosquete Wars abarc ms de 600 batallas entre 1801
y 1840, matando a 30.000-40.000 maores. [ 32 ] A partir de principios del siglo 19,
cristianos misioneros comenz a asentarse Nueva Zelanda, con el tiempo la conversin de la
mayora de la poblacin maor. [ 33 ] La poblacin maor se neg a alrededor del 40 por ciento de
su nivel anterior a la de contacto durante el siglo 19; enfermedades introducidas fueron el
factor principal. [ 34 ]

La hoja de Waitangi delTratado de Waitangi

En 1788 el capitn Arthur Phillip asumi el cargo de gobernador de la nueva colonia britnica
de Nueva Gales del Sur , que de acuerdo a su comisin incluy Nueva Zelanda. [ 35 ] El
Gobierno britnico design James Busby como British Residente a Nueva Zelanda en 1832 a
raz de una denuncia presentada por el norte maores.

[ 36 ]

En 1835, tras el anuncio de la

colonizacin francesa inminente por Charles de Thierry , las nebulosas Tribus unidas de
Nueva Zelanda envi una Declaracin de la Independencia al reyGuillermo IV del Reino
Unido pidiendo proteccin. [ 36 ] disturbios Vigentes , el acuerdo propuesto de Nueva Zelanda
por la Compaa de Nueva Zelanda (que ya haba enviado su primer barco de topgrafos para
comprar las tierras de los maores) y la capacidad jurdica dudosa de la Declaracin de la
Independencia provoc la Oficina Colonial enviar capitnWilliam Hobson para reclamar la
soberana para Gran Bretaa y negociar un tratado con los maores.

[ 37 ]

El Tratado de

Waitangi fue firmado por primera vez en la baha de las islasel 6 de febrero de 1840. [ 38 ] En
respuesta a los intentos de la Nueva Zelanda de la compaa para establecer un asentamiento
independiente en Wellington [ 39 ] y franceses colonos de compra de tierras
en Akaroa , [ 40 ] Hobson declararon la soberana britnica sobre toda Nueva Zelanda el 21 de

mayo de 1840, a pesar de que las copias del Tratado seguan circulando en todo el pas para
los maores a firmar. [ 41 ] Con la firma del Tratado y la declaracin de la soberana del nmero
de inmigrantes, sobre todo del Reino Unido, comenz a aumentar. [ 42 ]

Pintura de Monte Earnslaw por John Turnbull Thomson, leo sobre lienzo, 1888

Nueva Zelanda, siendo parte de la colonia de Nueva Gales del Sur, se convirti en una
separada colonia de Nueva Zelanda el 1 de julio de 1841. [ 43 ] La colonia gan un gobierno
representativo en 1852 y el primer Parlamento se reuni en 1854. [ 44 ] En 1856 el colonia se
convirti efectivamente autnomos, ganando la responsabilidad sobre todos los asuntos
domsticos distintos de la poltica nativa. (El control sobre la poltica nativa fue concedido a
mediados de los aos 1860). [ 44 ] A raz de la preocupacin de que la Isla del Sur podra formar
una colonia separada, primer ministro Alfred Domett traslad una resolucin para trasladar la
capital desde Auckland a una localidad cerca del estrecho de Cook . [ 45 ] Wellington fue elegido
por su puerto y el centro, con el parlamento oficialmente sentado all por primera vez en 1865.
Como el nmero de inmigrantes aumentaron, los conflictos por la tierra llevaron a la Nueva
Zelanda guerras de los aos 1860 y 1870, lo que resulta en la prdida y confiscacin de
muchas tierras maores. [ 46 ]
En 1891 el liberal Partido dirigido por John Ballance lleg al poder como partido poltico
primera organizada. El gobierno liberal , ms tarde dirigido por Richard Seddon , pas muchas
medidas sociales y econmicas importantes. En 1893 Nueva Zelanda fue la primera nacin en
el mundo para conceder todas las mujeres el derecho a votar [ 47 ] y en 1894 fue pionera en
el procedimientos de arbitraje obligatorio entre los empleadores y los sindicatos . [ 48 ] En 1898
el gobierno de Seddon aprob la Ley de pensiones de vejez de 1898, el primer esquema
general de pensiones en el Imperio Britnico.
En 1907, a peticin del Parlamento de Nueva Zelanda, el rey Eduardo VII proclam Nueva
Zelanda un dominio dentro del Imperio Britnico , que refleja su rgimen de autonoma. En
consecuencia, el ttulo de "Dominio de Nueva Zelanda" data de 1907.

[ 49 ][ 50 ]

En 1947 el pas adopt el Estatuto de Westminster , lo que confirma que el Parlamento

britnico ya no poda legislar para Nueva Zelanda sin el consentimiento de Nueva
Zelanda. [ 44 ] Nueva Zelanda estuvo involucrado en los asuntos del mundo, luchando, como

parte del Imperio Britnico, en la Primera y Segunda Guerras Mundiales [ 51 ] y el sufrimiento a

travs de la Gran Depresin . [ 52 ] La depresin condujo a la eleccin del primer gobierno
laborista y el establecimiento de un completo estado de bienestar y
un proteccionista economa. [ 53 ] Nueva Zelanda experiment el aumento la prosperidad
despus de la Segunda Guerra Mundial [ 54 ] y el maor comenz a dejar su vida rural tradicional
y pasar a las ciudades en busca de trabajo.

[ 55 ]

Un movimiento de protesta de los

maores desarrollado, que critic el eurocentrismo y trabaj para un mayor reconocimiento

de la cultura maor y el Tratado de Waitangi. [ 56 ] En 1975, un Tribunal de Waitangi se cre para
investigar las presuntas violaciones del Tratado, y fue habilitado para investigar los agravios
histricos en 1985. [ 38 ] El gobierno ha negociado acuerdos de estas quejas con muchos iwi,
aunque reclamaciones maores a la playa y los fondos marinos han sido objeto de
controversia en la dcada de 2000.

Poltica
Artculo principal: Poltica de Nueva Zelanda

Gobierno

John Key , Primer Ministro de Nueva Zelanda desde 2008

Nueva Zelanda es una monarqua constitucional con una democracia parlamentaria , [ 57 ] a

pesar de su constitucin se no codificado . [ 58 ] Isabel II es la reina de Nueva Zelanda , y el jefe
de Estado . [ 59 ] La Reina est representada por el Gobernador General , a quien nombra en el
consejo del primer ministro . [ 60 ][ 61 ] El Gobernador General puede ejercer de la Corona poderes
de prerrogativa , como la revisin de los casos de injusticia y hacer los nombramientos
de ministros , embajadores y otros funcionarios pblicos clave,

[ 62 ]

y, en raras ocasiones,

los poderes de reserva (por ejemplo, el poder de disolver el Parlamento o niegan

la aprobacin real de un proyecto de ley en ley). [ 63 ] Los poderes de la Reina y el gobernador
general estn limitadas por las restricciones constitucionales y no pueden normalmente
ejercerse sin la aprobacin del Consejo de Ministros . [ 63 ][ 64 ]

Isabel II

Sir Jerry Mateparae

La reina de Nueva Zelanda y su virreinalrepresentante, el Gobernador General

El Parlamento de Nueva Zelanda tiene poder legislativo y se compone de la Reina y

la Cmara de Representantes . [ 64 ] Tambin inclua una cmara alta, el Consejo Legislativo ,
hasta que esta fue abolida en 1950.

[ 64 ]

La supremaca del Parlamento , sobre la Corona y

otras instituciones del Estado, se estableci en Inglaterra por la Declaracin de Derechos de

1689 y ha sido ratificado como ley en Nueva Zelanda. [ 64 ] La Cmara de Representantes es
elegido democrticamente y un Gobierno est formado por el partido o coalicin con la
mayora de los escaos . [ 64 ] Si no se forma mayoritaria un gobierno de minora puede
formarse si el apoyo de otros partidos durante laconfianza y suministro califican est
asegurada. El Gobernador General nombra a los ministros bajo el asesoramiento del Primer
Ministro, [ 65 ] que es por convencin el lder parlamentario del partido gobernante o
coalicin. Gabinete, formado por ministros y encabezado por el Primer Ministro, es el rgano
normativo ms alto en el gobierno y la responsabilidad de decidir las acciones
gubernamentales importantes. [ 66 ] Por convencin , los miembros del gabinete estn obligados
por responsabilidad colectiva de las decisiones tomadas por el gabinete. [ 67 ]

Una estatua de Richard Seddon ,Nueva Zelanda gobierno " Colmena "y los edificios del
Parlamento (derecha), en el Parlamento los motivos, de Wellington.

Casi todas las elecciones generales parlamentarias entre 1853 y 1993 se llevaron a cabo bajo
el first-past-the-post de votacindel sistema. [ 68 ] Las elecciones desde 1930 han sido dominada
por dos partidos polticos, Nacional y del Trabajo . [ 68 ] Dado que la eleccin de 1996 , una
forma de representacin proporcional llama proporcional mixto (MMP) se ha utilizado. [ 58 ] En el
marco del sistema de MMP cada persona tiene dos votos; uno es para los asientos electorales
(incluyendo algunos reservada para los maores ), [ 69 ] y el otro es para una fiesta. Desde
la eleccin de 2014 , ha habido 71 asientos electorado (que incluye 7 electores maores) y los
49 escaos restantes se asignan de manera que la representacin en el parlamento refleja el
voto del partido, aunque una de las partes tiene que ganar un escao electoral o 5 por ciento
de la total de votos del partido antes de que sea elegible para este tipo de asientos.

[ 70 ]

Entre

marzo de 2005 y agosto de 2006 Nueva Zelanda se convirti en el nico pas del mundo en el
que todos los ms altos cargos en la tierra (Jefe de Estado, el Gobernador General, Primer
Ministro, Orador y Presidente del Tribunal Supremo) fueron ocupadas simultneamente por
mujeres. [ 71 ]
Jueces y funcionarios judiciales son nombrados no polticamente y bajo reglas estrictas en
cuanto a la tenencia para ayudar a mantener la independencia constitucional del
gobierno. [ 58 ] Esto permite tericamente el poder judicial para interpretar la ley basada
nicamente en la legislacin promulgada por el Parlamento sin otros factores que influyen en
sus decisiones . [ 72 ] El Consejo Privado en Londres fue ltimo tribunal del pas de apelacin
hasta 2004, cuando fue reemplazado por el recin creado Tribunal Supremo de Nueva
Zelanda . El poder judicial, encabezada por el Presidente del Tribunal Supremo , [ 73 ] incluye
el Tribunal de Apelacin , el Tribunal Superior de Justicia y los tribunales inferiores. [ 58 ]
Nueva Zelanda se identifica como una de las naciones ms estables y bien gobernadas en el
mundo. [ 74 ] A partir de 2011, el pas se clasific quinto en la fortaleza de sus instituciones
democrticas [ 75 ] y por primera vez en la transparencia del gobierno y la falta de
corrupcin. [ 76 ] Nueva Zelanda tiene un alto nivel de participacin ciudadana, con un 79% el
nmero de votantes en las elecciones ms recientes, en comparacin con un promedio de la

OCDE de 72%. Por otra parte, el 67% de los neozelandeses dicen que confan en sus
instituciones polticas, mucho ms altos que el promedio de la OCDE de 56%.

[ 77 ]

Ver tambin: rankings internacionales de Nueva Zelanda

Relaciones exteriores y militares

Artculo principal: Relaciones exteriores de Nueva Zelanda y Nueva Zelanda Fuerza de
Defensa

Da de Anzac servicio en el National War Memorial

Temprano Nueva Zelanda colonial permiti al Gobierno britnico para determinar el comercio
exterior y ser responsable de la poltica exterior. [ 78 ] Los 1923 y 1926Conferencias
imperiales decidieron que Nueva Zelanda se debe permitir que negociar sus propios
polticos los tratados y el primer tratado comercial fue ratificado en 1928 con Japn. El 03 de
septiembre 1939 Nueva Zelanda se ali con Gran Bretaa y declar la guerra a Alemania con
el primer ministro Michael salvaje proclamando: "Dnde va, vamos;., donde se pone de pie,
estamos firmes" [ 79 ]

Maor Batalln haka en Egipto, 1941

En 1951 el Reino Unido se centr cada vez ms en sus intereses europeos,

[ 80 ]

mientras que

Nueva Zelanda se uni a Australia y el de Estados Unidos en el ANZUS tratado de

seguridad. [ 81 ] La influencia de Estados Unidos en Nueva Zelanda se debilit tras las protestas
por la guerra de Vietnam , [ 82 ] la negativa de los Estados Unidos para amonestar a Francia

despus del hundimiento del Rainbow Warrior , [ 83 ] los desacuerdos sobre cuestiones
comerciales ambientales y agrcolas y la poltica libre de armas nucleares de Nueva
Zelanda . [ 84 ][ 85 ] A pesar de la suspensin de los EE.UU. de obligaciones del tratado ANZUS
permanecieron en vigor entre Nueva Zelanda y Australia, cuya poltica exterior ha seguido una
tendencia histrica similar. [ 86 ] Primer contacto poltico se mantiene entre los dos pases,
con acuerdos de libre comercio y los arreglos de viaje que permiten a los ciudadanos a visitar,
vivir y trabajar en ambos pases sin restricciones. [ 87 ] En 2013, hay cerca de 650.000
ciudadanos de Nueva Zelanda que viven en Australia, que es aproximadamente 15 por ciento
de la poblacin de Nueva Zelanda. [ 88 ] 65.000 australianos viven en Nueva Zelanda.

[ 87 ]

Nueva Zelanda tiene una fuerte presencia entre las islas del Pacfico pases. Una gran
proporcin de la ayuda de Nueva Zelanda va a estos pases y muchas personas Pacfico
migrar a Nueva Zelanda para el empleo. [ 89 ] La migracin permanente est regulado bajo el
sistema de cuotas de Samoa 1970 y el 2002 de Acceso del Pacfico Categora, que permiten
hasta 1.100 ciudadanos de Samoa y otros hasta 750 islas del Pacfico, respectivamente, para
convertirse en residentes permanentes de Nueva Zelanda cada ao. Un esquema de los
trabajadores de temporada para la migracin temporal se introdujo en 2007 y en 2009 se
emplearon cerca de 8.000 islas del Pacfico en virtud del mismo.

[ 90 ]

Nueva Zelanda participa

en el Foro de las Islas del Pacfico , la Cooperacin Econmica Asia-Pacfico y la Asociacin

de Naciones del Sudeste Asitico Foro Regional (incluyendo la Cumbre de Asia
Oriental ). [ 87 ] Nueva Zelanda es tambin un miembro de la Naciones Unidas , [ 91 ] de
la Mancomunidad Britnica de Naciones , [ 92 ] de la Organizacin para la Cooperacin y el
Desarrollo [ 93 ] y la Alimentacin Cinco Defensa Arreglos . [ 94 ]

Infantera del segundo Batalln, Regimiento de Auckland en la batalla del Somme , septiembre 1916

La Fuerza de Defensa de Nueva Zelanda tiene tres ramas: la Royal New Zealand Navy ,
el Ejrcito de Nueva Zelanda y de la Fuerza Area Real de Nueva Zelanda . [ 95 ] de Nueva
Zelanda nacionales de defensa necesidades son modestas debido a la improbabilidad de
ataque directo, [ 96 ] a pesar de que no tener una presencia global. El pas luch en ambas
guerras mundiales, con campaas notables en Gallipoli , Creta , [ 97 ] El
Alamein [ 98 ] y Cassino . [ 99 ] La campaa de Gallipoli desempearon un papel importante en el
fomento de Nueva Zelanda identidad nacional [ 100 ][ 101 ] y fortalecido la ANZAC tradicin que

comparte con Australia. [ 102 ] Segn Mary Edmond-Paul, "La Primera Guerra Mundial haba
dejado cicatrices en la sociedad de Nueva Zelanda, con cerca de 18.500 en total de morir
como resultado de la guerra, ms de 41.000 heridos, y otros afectados emocionalmente, de
una fuerza de combate en el extranjero de alrededor de 103.000 y una poblacin de poco ms
de un milln ". [ 103 ] Nueva Zelanda tambin jug piezas clave en el naval Batalla del Ro de la
Plata [ 104 ] y de la Batalla de Inglaterra campaa area . [ 105 ][ 106 ] Durante la Segunda Guerra
Mundial, Estados Unidos haba ms de 400.000 efectivos militares estadounidenses
estacionados en Nueva Zelanda. [ 107 ]
Adems de Vietnam y las dos guerras mundiales, Nueva Zelanda luch en la Guerra de
Corea , la Segunda Guerra Boer , [ 108 ] la Emergencia malaya , [ 109 ] la Guerra del Golfo y
la guerra de Afganistn . Ha contribuido fuerzas para varias misiones de mantenimiento de la
paz regional y mundial, tales como los de Chipre , Somalia, Bosnia y Herzegovina ,
el Sina , Angola , Camboya , el Irn-Irak frontera, Bougainville , Timor Oriental y las Islas
Salomn . [ 110 ] Nueva Zelanda tambin envi una unidad de ingenieros del ejrcito para ayudar
a reconstruir Irak infraestructura por un ao durante la guerra de Irak .
Nueva Zelanda ocupa el octavo en el Centro para el Desarrollo Global 's 2012 ndice de
Compromiso con el Desarrollo , que clasifica a los pases ms desarrollados del mundo por su
dedicacin a las polticas que benefician a las naciones ms pobres.

[ 111 ]

Nueva Zelanda es

considerado el cuarto pas ms pacfico del mundo de acuerdo con el 2014 ndice Global de
Paz . [ 112 ]

El gobierno local y los territorios externos

Artculos principales: El gobierno local en Nueva Zelanda y el Reino de la Nueva Zelanda

Reino de la Nueva Zelanda

Los primeros colonos europeos divididos Nueva Zelanda en provincias , que tenan un grado
de autonoma. [ 113 ] Debido a las presiones financieras y el deseo de consolidar los ferrocarriles,
la educacin, la venta de tierras y otras polticas, el gobierno fue centralizado y las provincias
fueron abolidas en 1876. [ 114 ] Como resultado, Nueva Zelanda ahora no ha representado por

separado las entidades territoriales . Las provincias son recordados en fiestas regionales
pblicos [ 115 ] y las rivalidades deportivas. [ 116 ]
Desde 1876, varios ayuntamientos han administrado las reas locales en la legislacin
determinada por el gobierno central. [ 113 ][ 117 ] En 1989, el gobierno reorganiz el gobierno local
en la estructura de dos niveles actual de los consejos regionales y las autoridades
territoriales . [ 118 ] El 249 municipios [ 118 ] que exista en 1975 ya se han consolidado en 67
entidades territoriales y 11 consejos regionales.

[ 119 ]

El papel de los consejos regionales 'es

regular "el medio natural, con especial nfasis en la gestin de los recursos ", [ 118 ] mientras que
las autoridades territoriales son responsables de las aguas residuales, agua, carreteras
locales, consiente de construccin y otros asuntos locales.

[ 120 ]

Cinco de los consejos

territoriales son autoridades unitarias y tambin actan como consejos regionales.

[ 121 ]

Las

autoridades territoriales consisten en 13 ayuntamientos, 53 consejos distritales y el Islas

Chatham Consejo. Aunque oficialmente el Consejo Islas Chatham no es una autoridad
unitaria, emprende muchas funciones de un consejo regional.

[ 122 ]

Nueva Zelanda es uno de los 16 reinos dentro de la Commonwealth . [ 123 ][ 124 ] El Reino de
Nueva Zelanda es el territorio sobre el cual la Reina de Nueva Zelanda es soberano y consta
de Nueva Zelanda, Tokelau, la dependencia de Ross , las Islas Cook y Niue . [ 124 ] Las Islas
Cook y Niue son estados autnomos en libre asociacin con Nueva Zelanda. [ 125 ][ 126 ] La
legislacin del Parlamento de Nueva Zelanda no puede pasar por estos pases, pero con su
consentimiento puede actuar en nombre de ellos en el extranjero asuntos y defensa. Tokelau
es un territorio no autnomo que utiliza la bandera de Nueva Zelanda y el himno, pero es
administrado por un consejo de tres ancianos (uno de cada una de Tokelau atoln ). [ 127 ]
[ 128 ]

La dependencia de Ross es de Nueva Zelanda reclamo territorial en Antrtida , donde

opera la Base Scottcentro de investigacin. [ 129 ] Ley de ciudadana de Nueva Zelanda trata a
todas las partes del reino por igual, por lo que la mayora de las personas nacidas en Nueva
Zelanda, las Islas Cook, Niue, Tokelau y la Dependencia de Ross antes de 2006 son Nueva
Zelanda los ciudadanos. Otras condiciones aplican para los nacidos a partir de 2006.

[ 130 ]

[ mostrar ]

Divisiones administrativas del Re

Ambiente

Artculo principal: Medio Ambiente de Nueva Zelanda

Geografa
Artculo principal: Geografa de Nueva Zelanda
Ver tambin: Atlas de Nueva Zelanda en Wikimedia Commons

Los nevados Alpes del Surdominan la Isla del Sur, mientras que de la Isla del Norte Northland
pennsula se extiende hacia los subtrpicos.

Aoraki / Mount Cook es el punto ms alto de Nueva Zelanda, en 3754 metros.

Los Alpes del Sur, que se extienden por 500 kilometros por la Isla Sur.

Queenstown desde Corona Pass

Nueva Zelanda se encuentra cerca del centro de la hemisferio agua y est compuesto por
dos islas principales y varias islas ms pequeas .Las dos islas principales (la Isla del
Norte , o Te Ika-a-Maui y la Isla Sur , o Te Waipounamu ) estn separados por el estrecho
de Cook , de 22 kilmetros (14 millas) de ancho en su punto ms estrecho.

[ 131 ]

Adems de

la Islas del Norte y del Sur, las cinco islas habitadas ms grandes son Stewart Island, las
islas Chatham, Great Barrier Island (en el Golfo de Hauraki ), [ 132 ] d'Urville Island (en
los sonidos de Marlborough ) [ 133 ] y Waiheke Island (cerca de 22 km (14 millas) del centro
de Auckland). [ 134 ] islas del pas se encuentran entre las latitudes 29 y 53 S , y las
longitudes 165 y 176 E .
Nueva Zelanda es larga y estrecha (ms de 1.600 kilmetros (990 millas) a lo largo de su
eje norte-noreste con una anchura mxima de 400 kilmetros (250 millas)),

[ 135 ]

con cerca

de 15.000 km (9.300 millas) de la costa [ 136 ] y una superficie total de 268.000 kilmetros
cuadrados (103.500 millas cuadradas) [ 137 ] Debido a sus islas perifricas lejanas y larga
costa, el pas cuenta con amplios recursos marinos. Su zona econmica exclusiva es una
de las ms grandes del mundo, que abarca ms de 15 veces su rea de tierra.

[ 138 ]

La Isla Sur es la mayor masa de tierra de Nueva Zelanda, y se divide a lo largo de su

longitud por los Alpes del Sur . [ 139 ] Hay 18 picos de ms de 3.000 metros (9.800 pies), la
ms alta de las cuales es Aoraki / Mount Cook en 3754 metros ( 12.316
pies). [ 140 ] Fiordland 's montaas escarpadas y profundas fiordos registran la extensa
glaciacin edad de hielo de esta esquina sur-occidental de la Isla Sur. [ 141 ] La Isla del Norte
es menos montaosa, pero est marcada por la actividad volcnica . [ 142 ] La gran
actividad Taupo Zona Volcnica ha formado una granmeseta volcnica , marcada por la
montaa ms alta de la Isla del Norte, el Monte Ruapehu (2.797 metros (9.177 pies)). La
meseta tambin alberga el lago ms grande del pas, el Lago Taupo , [ 143 ] ubicado en
la caldera de uno de los ms activos del mundo supervolcanes . [ 144 ]
El pas debe su variada topografa, y tal vez incluso su aparicin sobre las olas, hasta el
lmite dinmico se extiende a ambos lados entre las del Pacfico y placas indoaustralianas . [ 145 ] Nueva Zelanda es parte de Zealandia , un microcontinente casi la mitad
del tamao de Australia que sumergido gradualmente despus de romper con
elGondwana supercontinente. [ 146 ] Hace unos 25 millones de aos, un cambio en

la tectnica de placas movimientos comenz a contorsionarse y arrugar la regin. Esto es

ahora ms evidente en los Alpes del Sur, formado por la compresin de la corteza junto a
la Falla de Alpine . En otra parte del lmite de placas implica la subduccin de una placa
debajo de la otra, la produccin de la Puysegur Trench al sur, la Hikurangi Trench este de
la Isla Norte, y las Kermadec y Tonga trincheras [ 147 ] ms al norte. [ 145 ]
Nueva Zelanda no es parte del continente de Australia, sino del continente separado,
sumergido de Zealandia . [ 148 ] Nueva Zelanda y Australia son a la vez parte de las regiones
ms amplias conocidos como Australia y Oceana . El trmino Oceana se utiliza a
menudo para referirse a la regin que abarca el continente australiano, Nueva Zelanda y
varias islas en el Ocano Pacfico, que no estn incluidos en el modelo de siete
continentes.

Paisajes de Nueva Zelanda

Escena rural

The Emerald Lakes, Mt Tongariro .

Lago Gunn

Pencarrow Head , Wellington

Clima
Artculo principal: El clima de Nueva Zelanda
Nueva Zelanda tiene una suave y templado martimo climtico ( Kppen .: CFB) con
temperaturas medias anuales que oscilan entre 10 C (50 F) en el sur hasta 16 C (61
F) en el norte [ 149 ] histrico mximos y minima son 42.4 C (108.32 F)
en Rangiora , Canterbury y -25,6 C (-14,08 F) en Ranfurly , Otago . [ 150 ] Las condiciones
varan considerablemente de una regin a partir extremadamente hmedo en lacosta
oeste de la Isla Sur de casi semirido en Central Otago y la cuenca del Mackenzie de
Canterbury continentales y subtropical en Northland . [ 151 ] De las siete ciudades ms
grandes, Christchurch es la ms seca, recibiendo en promedio slo 640 milmetros (25
pulgadas) de lluvia por ao y Auckland el ms lluvioso, recibiendo casi el doble de esa
cantidad. [ 152 ] Auckland, Wellington y Christchurch todos reciben un promedio anual de
ms de 2.000 horas de sol. Las regiones del sur y suroeste de la isla del sur tienen un
clima ms fresco y ms nublado, con alrededor de 1.400-1.600 horas; el norte y el noreste
de la isla del sur son las zonas ms soleadas del pas y reciben unos 2,400-2,500
horas. [ 153 ] La temporada de nieve en general se trata de principios de junio hasta
principios de octubre en la Isla Sur. Las nevadas son menos comunes en la Isla del Norte,
a pesar de que se produce.

Climas de Nueva Zelanda

Otoo en Wellington

Meseta Central en invierno. Gran parte de esta regin tiene un clima continental fro con
nevadas regular.

Playa Abrasador Bay en verano

Biodiversidad
Artculo principal: Biodiversidad de Nueva Zelanda
De Nueva Zelanda aislamiento geogrfico de 80.000.000 aos [ 154 ] y la isla biogeografa es
responsable de especies nicas de del pas animales , hongos y plantas . Han
evolucionado bien desde Gondwana vida silvestre o los pocos organismos que
han logrado llegar a las orillas volar, nadar o est llevando a travs del mar . [ 155 ] Alrededor
del 82 por ciento de los indgenas de Nueva Zelanda plantas vasculares sonendmicas ,
que abarca 1.944 especies a travs de 65 gneros y incluye una nica endmica de la
familia . [ 156 ][ 157 ] El nmero de hongos grabadas desde Nueva Zelanda, incluyendo especies
de lquenes de formacin, no se conoce, ni es la proporcin de los hongos que son
endmicas, pero una estimacin sugiere que hay aproximadamente 2.300 especies de
hongos formadores de lquenes en Nueva Zelanda
endmicas.

[ 158 ]

[ 156 ]

y el 40 por ciento de ellas son

Los dos principales tipos de bosque son aquellos dominados por rboles

de hoja ancha con emergentes podocarpos , o por el sur de haya en climas ms

fros. [ 159 ]Los tipos de vegetacin restantes consisten en pastizales, la mayora de los
cuales son del mechn . [ 160 ]
Antes de la llegada de los seres humanos se estima que 80 por ciento de la tierra estaba
cubierta de bosques, con slo el de alta montaa , zonas hmedas, frtiles y volcnicos

sin rboles. [ 161 ] Masivadeforestacin se produjo despus de que llegaran los humanos,
con alrededor de la mitad de la cubierta forestal perdida al fuego despus de la liquidacin
de la Polinesia. [ 162 ] Gran parte del bosque restante cay despus de la colonizacin
europea, que se registra o borra para dejar espacio para el pastoreo, dejando a los
bosques que ocupan slo el 23 por ciento de la tierra.

[ 163 ]

El voladora endmica kiwies un icono nacional.

Los bosques fueron dominados por las aves, y la falta de depredadores mamferos
llevaron a algunos como los kiwis , kakapo y Takah evolucin flightlessness . [ 164 ] La
llegada de los seres humanos, los cambios asociados al hbitat y la introduccin de ratas ,
hurones y otros mamferos llev a la extincin de muchas especies de aves,
incluyendo aves de gran tamao como el moa y el guila de Haast . [ 165 ][ 166 ]
Otros animales autctonos estn representados por reptiles
( Tuataras , lagartijas y salamanquesas ), [ 167 ] ranas , araas ( Katipo ), insectos ( WETA ) y
los caracoles. [ 168 ][ 169 ]Algunos, como los reyezuelos y tuatara, son tan nicos que han sido
llamados fsiles vivientes . Tres especies de murcilagos ( uno ya extinta) eran la nica
seal de mamferos terrestres nativos en Nueva Zelanda hasta el descubrimiento 2006 de
los huesos de un ratn de tamao nico mamfero de la tierra por lo menos 16 millones de
aos. [ 170 ][ 171 ] Los mamferos marinos Sin embargo son abundantes, con casi la mitad del
mundo cetceos (ballenas, delfines y marsopas ) y un gran nmero de lobos
finos reportados en aguas de Nueva Zelanda. [ 172 ] Muchas aves marinas se reproducen en
Nueva Zelanda, un tercio de ellas nicas en el pas. [ 173 ] Ms especies de pinginos se
encuentran en Nueva Zelanda que en cualquier otro pas.

[ 174 ]

Desde la llegada humana casi la mitad de las especies de vertebrados del pas se han
extinguido, incluyendo por lo menos cincuenta y un aves, tres ranas, tres lagartos, peces
de agua dulce, uno y uno bate. Otros estn en peligro o han tenido su gama muy
reducida. [ 165 ] Sin embargo, los conservacionistas de Nueva Zelanda han sido pionero en

varios mtodos para ayudar a recuperar la fauna silvestre amenazada, incluyendo

santuarios insulares, control de plagas, la translocacin de la fauna, el fomento y
ecolgica restauracin de islas y otras zonas seleccionadas . [ 175 ][ 176 ][ 177 ][ 178 ] De acuerdo con
el 2012 ndice de Desempeo Ambiental , Nueva Zelanda se considera un "ejecutante
fuerte" en la proteccin ambiental, ocupando 14 entre 132 pases evaluados.

[ 179 ]

Economa
Artculo principal: Economa de Nueva Zelanda
Ver tambin: Lista de las empresas de Nueva Zelanda y de Transporte en Nueva Zelanda
Nueva Zelanda tiene una moderna, prspera y desarrollada economa de mercado con un
producto interno bruto estimado (PIB) a paridad de poder adquisitivo (PPA) per cpita de
alrededor de NZ $ 47.784. [ 180 ]La moneda es el dlar de Nueva Zelanda , informalmente
conocido como el " dlar neozelands "; tambin circula en las Islas Cook (ver Dlar de
las Islas de Cook ), Niue, Tokelau y las Islas Pitcairn . [ 181 ] Nueva Zelanda se clasific sexto
en el 2013 ndice de Desarrollo Humano , [ 182 ] el cuarto lugar en el The Heritage
Foundation 's 2012 ndice de Libertad Econmica , [ 183 ] y 13 en INSEAD 2012 's ndice de
Innovacin Global . [ 184 ]

Milford Sound , uno de los destinos tursticos ms famosos de Nueva Zelanda.

[ 185 ]

Histricamente, las industrias extractivas han contribuido fuertemente a la economa de

Nueva Zelanda, centrndose en diferentes momentos en el sellado, la caza de ballenas, el
lino , el oro, la goma kauri y madera nativa. [ 186 ] Con el desarrollo del transporte
refrigerado en la dcada de 1880 la carne y los productos lcteos se exportaron a Gran
Bretaa, un comercio que sirvi de base para un fuerte crecimiento econmico en Nueva
Zelanda. [ 187 ] La alta demanda de productos agrcolas procedentes del Reino Unido y los
Estados Unidos ayud a los neozelandeses lograr niveles de vida ms altos que tanto
Australia y Europa occidental en los aos 1950 y 1960.

[ 188 ]

En 1973, el mercado de

exportacin de Nueva Zelanda se redujo cuando el Reino Unido se uni a la Comunidad

Europea [ 189 ] y otros factores de composicin, como la del petrleo de 1973 y la crisis de
1979 la energa , llev a una grave depresin econmica . [ 190 ] El nivel de vida en Nueva
Zelanda cay detrs de los de Australia y Europa occidental, y en 1982 Nueva Zelanda

tuvo el ms bajo ingreso per cpita de todos los pases desarrollados encuestados por el
Banco Mundial . [ 191 ] Desde 1984, los sucesivos gobiernos comprometidos en
gran macroeconmica reestructuracin (conocido primero como Rogernomics y
luego Ruthanasia ), rpidamente transformando Nueva Zelanda de un
altamente proteccionista a una economa liberalizada de libre comercio economa. [ 192 ][ 193 ]
El desempleo alcanz un mximo por encima de 10 por ciento en 1991 y
1992, [ 194 ] despus de la cada del mercado de la cuota de 1987 , pero finalmente cay a
un mnimo histrico del 3,4 por ciento en 2007 (ocupa el quinto lugar de veintisiete
naciones comparables de la OCDE). [ 195 ] Sin embargo, el crisis global financiera que sigui
tuvo un impacto importante en Nueva Zelanda, con la contraccin del PIB durante cinco
trimestres consecutivos, la recesin ms larga de ms de treinta aos,
del desempleo de nuevo a un 7 por ciento a finales de 2009.

[ 198 ]

[ 196 ][ 197 ]

y el aumento

En Mayo de 2012, la tasa

de desempleo general fue alrededor de 6,7 por ciento, mientras que la tasa de desempleo
de los jvenes de 15 a 21 fue de 13,6 por ciento. [ 199 ] En el trimestre de septiembre de
2014, el desempleo fue del 5,4%. [ 200 ] Nueva Zelanda ha experimentado una serie de
" fuga de cerebros "desde la dcada de 1970 [ 201 ] que an continan en la
actualidad. [ 202 ] Casi un cuarto de los trabajadores altamente cualificados vivir en el
extranjero, principalmente en Australia y Gran Bretaa, que es la proporcin ms grande
de cualquier nacin desarrollada. [ 203 ] En reciente ao, sin embargo, una " ganancia de
cerebros "ha trado profesionales educados de Europa y de los pases menos
desarrollados. [ 204 ][ 205 ]

Comercio
Nueva Zelanda es muy dependiente del comercio internacional,

[ 206 ]

en particular en la

agricultura los productos. [ 207 ] Las exportaciones representan un alto 24 por ciento de su
produccin, [ 136 ] hacer de Nueva Zelanda vulnerables a los precios internacionales de
productos bsicos y globales desaceleraciones econmicas . Los productos alimenticios
compuestos por 55% del valor de todas las exportaciones del pas en 2014; la madera fue
la segunda mayor fuente de ingresos (7%). [ 208 ] Sus principales socios de exportacin son
Australia, Estados Unidos, Japn, China y el Reino Unido.

[ 136 ]

El 7 de abril de 2008,

Nueva Zelanda y China firmaron la Nueva Zelanda- China, Tratado de Libre Comercio , el
primer acuerdo de este tipo que China ha firmado con un pas desarrollado.

[ 209 ][ 210 ]

El

sector servicios es el sector ms grande de la economa, seguido por la manufactura y la

construccin y luego la agricultura y la extraccin de materias primas.

[ 136 ]

Turismo juega

un papel importante en la economa de Nueva Zelanda, contribuyendo $ 15.0 mil millones

al PIB total de Nueva Zelanda y el apoyo a un 9,6 por ciento de la plantilla total en
2010. [ 211 ] Los visitantes internacionales a Nueva Zelanda se incrementaron en un 3,1 por

ciento en el ao a octubre de 2010 [ 212 ] y se espera que aumente a un ritmo del 2,5 por
ciento anual hasta 2015. [ 211 ]

Lana ha sido histricamente una de las principales exportaciones de Nueva Zelanda.

Lana era importante producto agrcola de exportacin de Nueva Zelanda durante el siglo
19. [ 186 ] Todava en la dcada de 1960 hizo que ms de un tercio del total de los ingresos
por exportaciones, [ 186 ] pero desde entonces su precio ha disminuido de manera constante
en relacin con otras materias primas [ 213 ] y lana ya no es rentable para muchos
agricultores. [ 214 ] Por el contrario la produccin lechera aument, con el nmero de vacas
lecheras de duplicacin entre 1990 y 2007,
ingresos de exportacin de Nueva Zelanda.

[ 215 ]
[ 216 ]

para convertirse en la mayor fuente de

En el ao de junio de 2009, los productos

lcteos representaron el 21 por ciento ($ 9100 millones) de las exportaciones totales de

mercancas, [ 217 ] y la mayor empresa del pas, Fonterra , controla casi un tercio del
comercio internacional de productos lcteos. [ 218 ] Otras exportaciones agrcolas en 2009
fueron la carne 13,2 por ciento, la lana de 6,3 por ciento, fruto del 3,5 por ciento y la pesca
3,3 por ciento. vinos de Nueva Zelanda industria ha seguido una tendencia similar a los
productos lcteos, el nmero de viedos de duplicacin en el mismo perodo,
exportaciones de lana de adelantamiento, por primera vez en 2007.

[ 219 ]

las

[ 220 ][ 221 ]

Infraestructura
En 2008, el petrleo, el gas y el carbn generan alrededor del 69 por ciento de la energa
bruta de Nueva Zelanda la oferta mientras que el 31% se gener a partir de energas
renovables , principalmente energa hidroelctrica y energa geotrmica . [ 222 ]
Transporte de Nueva Zelanda red comprende 93.805 kilometros (58.288 millas) de
caminos, entre ellos 199 kilometros (124 millas) de autopistas,

[ 223 ]

y 4.128 kilometros

(2.565 millas) de vas frreas. [ 136 ] La mayora de las principales ciudades y pueblos estn
unidos por bus servicios, aunque el coche privado es el modo predominante de
transporte. [ 224 ] Los ferrocarriles fueron privatizados en 1993, pero fueron re-nacionalizadas
por el gobierno en etapas entre 2004 y 2008. La empresa estatal KiwiRail ahora opera los
ferrocarriles, con excepcin de los servicios de cercanas de Auckland que son operados
por Transdev . [ 225 ] Ferrocarriles corren a lo largo del pas, aunque la mayora de las lneas
ahora llevan la carga en lugar de pasajeros. [ 226 ] La mayora de los visitantes

internacionales llegan por va area [ 227 ] y Nueva Zelanda tiene seis aeropuertos
internacionales , pero actualmente slo los Auckland y Christchurch aeropuertos conectan
directamente con los pases que no sean Australia o Fiji.

[ 228 ]

La Oficina de Correos de Nueva Zelanda tena el monopolio de las telecomunicaciones

hasta 1987, cuando Telecom New Zealand se form inicialmente como una empresa de
propiedad estatal y privatizada en 1990. [ 229 ] Telecom fue rebautizado como Spark Nueva
Zelanda en 2014. Coro , que se dividi de Telecom en 2011, todava posee la mayor parte
de la infraestructura de telecomunicaciones, pero la competencia de otros proveedores ha
aumentado. Las Naciones Unidas Unin Internacional de Telecomunicaciones Nueva
Zelanda ocupa el nmero 12 en el desarrollo de infraestructura de informacin y
comunicaciones, despus de haber subido cuatro lugares entre 2008 y 2010.

Demografa
Artculo principal: Demografa de Nueva Zelanda

La poblacin de Nueva Zelanda histrica (negro) y el crecimiento proyectado (rojo)

[ 230 ]

Nueva Zelanda pirmide de poblacin en el Censo del 2013.

La poblacin de Nueva Zelanda es de aproximadamente 4,5 millones de

dlares. [ 231 ] Nueva Zelanda es un pas predominantemente urbana, con un 72 por ciento
de la poblacin que vive en 16 principales reas urbanas y el 53 por ciento vive en las
cuatro ciudades ms grandes de Auckland , Christchurch , Wellington ,
y Hamilton . [ 232 ] ciudades de Nueva Zelanda en general, los primeros puestos en las
medidas internacionales de habitabilidad. Por ejemplo, en 2010Auckland se clasific
cuarto ms del mundo ciudad habitable y Wellington el 12 por el Mercer Encuesta de
Calidad de Vida. [ 233 ]
La esperanza de vida de una Nueva Zelanda en 2012 fue de 84 aos para las mujeres y
80,2 aos para los hombres. [ 234 ] Se prev que la esperanza de vida al nacer aumentar
de 80 aos a 85 aos en 2050 y se espera que la mortalidad infantil a declinar. [ 235 ] de
Nueva Zelanda tasa de fecundidad de 2,1 es relativamente alta para un pas desarrollado,
y los nacimientos naturales representan una proporcin significativa del crecimiento de la
poblacin . En consecuencia, el pas cuenta con una poblacin joven en comparacin con
la mayora de las naciones industrializadas, con un 20 por ciento de los neozelandeses
son 14 aos de edad o ms jvenes.

[ 136 ]

En 2050 se prev que la poblacin llegue a 5,3

millones, la mediana de edad aumentar de 36 aos a 43 aos y el porcentaje de

personas de 60 aos de edad y mayores aumentar de 18 por ciento a 29 por
ciento. [ 235 ] A pesar de la elevada esperanza de vida, la mortalidad por enfermedades del
corazn es mayor en Nueva Zelanda que en otros pases occidentales desarrollados tales
como Australia , el Reino Unido y Canad . [ 236 ]

reas urbanas ms gran

Estadsticas Nueva Zeland

Rango

Nombre

Regin

Pop.

Auckland

Auckland

1413

Wellington

Wellington

393

Christchurch

Canterbury

375

Hamilton

Waikato

218

Napier-Hastings

Baha de Hawke

128

Tauranga

Bay of Plenty

127

Dunedin

Otago

116

Palmerston North

Manawatu-Wanganui

82

Nelson

Nelson

64

10

Rotorua

Bay of Plenty

56

Auckland

Etnicidad y la inmigracin
Artculos principales: los neozelandeses y de Inmigracin a Nueva Zelanda

Neozelandeses de ascendencia europea

En el censo de 2013, 74,0% de los residentes de Nueva Zelanda identifica tnicamente

como europea, y el 14,9% como maores. Otros grupos tnicos importantes
son Asia(11,8%) y de los pueblos del Pacfico (7,4%).

[ 238 ][ n 6 ]

La poblacin se ha vuelto ms

diversa en las ltimas dcadas: en 1961, el censo report que la poblacin de Nueva
Zelanda fue del 92 por ciento Europea y el 7 por ciento de los maores, con minoras de
Asia y el Pacfico que comparten el restante 1 por ciento.

[ 239 ]

Mientras que el gentilicio para un ciudadano de Nueva Zelanda es el neozelands, el

informal " Kiwi "es de uso general tanto a nivel internacional

[ 240 ]

y por los locales. [ 241 ]El

maor loanword Pkeh se ha utilizado para referirse a los neozelandeses de ascendencia

europea , aunque otros rechazar esta denominacin.

[ 242 ][ 243 ]

La palabra Pkeh hoy se

utiliza cada vez ms para referirse a todos los polinesios no neozelandeses.

[ 244 ]

Bailarines Len se realizan en el Auckland Festival de los Faroles .

El maores fueron los primeros en llegar a Nueva Zelanda, seguido por los primeros
colonos europeos. A raz de la colonizacin, los inmigrantes eran principalmente de Gran
Bretaa, Irlanda y Australia debido a las polticas restrictivas similares a las polticas
australianos blancos . [ 245 ] Tambin hubo significativa holands, Dlmata , [ 246 ] la
inmigracin italiana y alemana, junto con la inmigracin europea indirecta a travs de
Australia , Amrica del Norte, Amrica del Sur y frica del Sur. [ 247 ] Despus de lasGran
Depresin polticas eran relajado y la diversidad de migrantes aument. En 2009-10, un
objetivo anual de 45,000-50,000 aprobaciones de residencia permanente se estableci
por el Nueva Zelanda-Servicio de Inmigracin ms de un nuevo migrante por cada 100
residentes de Nueva Zelanda. [ 248 ] Poco ms de 25% de la poblacin de Nueva Zelanda
naci en el extranjero , con la mayora (52%) que viven en la regin de Auckland. A finales
de la dcada de 2000, Asia super al Reino Unido e Irlanda como la mayor fuente de
migrantes en el extranjero; en el censo de 2013, 31,6% de los residentes de Nueva
Zelanda nacidos en el extranjero nacieron en Asia (principalmente China, India, Filipinas y
Corea del Sur), mientras que el 26,5% nacieron en el Reino Unido e Irlanda. Australia, las
islas del Pacfico, y frica del Sur tambin son fuentes importantes de los migrantes.

[ 249 ]

El

nmero de cotizantes estudiantes internacionales aument considerablemente a finales

de 1990, con ms de 20.000 estudiar en pblicolas instituciones terciarias en 2002. [ 250 ]

Idioma
Artculo principal: Lenguas de Nueva Zelanda
Ingls es el idioma predominante en Nueva Zelanda, hablado por el 98 por ciento de la
poblacin. [ 3 ] Nueva Zelanda Ingls es similar al Ingls australiano y muchos oradores del
Hemisferio Norte son incapaces de decir a los acentos de diferencia. [ 251 ] Las diferencias
ms destacadas entre el dialecto de Nueva Zelanda Ingls y otros dialectos ingleses son

los cambios en las vocales delanteras cortas: el corto "i" de sonido (como en "kit") ha
centralizado hacia el schwa sonido (la "a" en "coma" y " acerca de"); el sonido corto "e"
(como en "vestido") se ha movido hacia el corto "i" de sonido; y el corto "a" de sonido
(como en la "trampa") se ha trasladado a corto sonido "e".

[ 252 ]

Por lo tanto, la

pronunciacin de Nueva Zelanda de palabras tales como "malo", "muerto", "pescado" y

"fichas" suenan como "cama", "s", "fush" y "chups" a los no neozelandeses.
Despus de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, los maores fueron disuadidos de hablar su
propio idioma ( te reo maor ) en las escuelas y lugares de trabajo y que exista como
lengua de la comunidad slo en algunas zonas remotas.
recientemente a un proceso de revitalizacin,
oficiales de Nueva Zelanda en 1987,

[ 256 ]

[ 254 ][ 255 ]

[ 253 ]

Se ha sometido

se declar uno de los idiomas

y es hablado por el 4,1 por ciento de la

poblacin. [ 3 ] En la actualidad hay lengua maor escuelas de inmersin y dos maores

Televisin canales, los nicos canales de televisin en todo el pas tener la mayor parte de
su contenido en horario estelar entregado en Maor.

[ 257 ]

Muchos lugares han tanto sus

nombres maores e ingls reconocido oficialmente. Samoa es uno de los idiomas ms

hablados en Nueva Zelanda (2,3 por ciento), [ n 7 ] seguido por el francs, el hindi, Yue y del
norte de China. [ 3 ][ 258 ][ n 8 ] Nueva Zelanda Lengua de Signos es utilizado por alrededor
28.000 personas. Fue declarado uno de los idiomas oficiales de Nueva Zelanda en
2006. [ 259 ]

Educacin
Artculo principal: Educacin en Nueva Zelanda y la lista de las universidades en Nueva
Zelanda
La enseanza primaria y secundaria es obligatoria para los nios de 6 a 16 aos, con la
mayora de asistir desde la edad de 5 aos [ 260 ] Hay 13 aos de la escuela y asisten
a escuelas estatales (pblicas) es libre para Nueva Zelanda ciudadanos y residentes
permanentes de una persona de quinto cumpleaos para el final del ao calendario
siguiente a los 19 aos. [ 261 ] Nueva Zelanda tiene una tasa de alfabetizacin de adultos del
99 por ciento, [ 136 ] y ms de la mitad de la poblacin de 15 a 29 tener una titulacin
terciaria. [ 260 ][ n 9 ] Hay cinco tipos de instituciones terciarias de propiedad del gobierno: las
universidades, los colegios de educacin, escuelas politcnicas , institutos especializados
y Wananga , [ 262 ] adems de los centros de formacin privados. [ 263 ] En la poblacin adulta
14.2 por ciento tienen una licenciatura grado o superior, 30.4 por ciento tienen algn tipo
de titulacin secundaria como su ms alta calificacin y el 22,4 por ciento no tienen
ninguna cualificacin formal. [ 264 ] de la OCDE Programa para la Evaluacin Internacional
de Alumnos ocupa el sistema educativo de Nueva Zelanda como el sptimo mejor del
mundo, con los estudiantes la realizacin de excepcionalmente bien en lectura,
matemticas y ciencias. [ 265 ]

Un Ratana iglesia

Religin
Artculo principal: Religin en Nueva Zelanda
El cristianismo es la religin predominante en Nueva Zelanda, aunque su sociedad es una
de las ms secular en el mundo. [ 266 ] En el Censo de 2013, el 55,0 por ciento de la
poblacin identificada con uno o ms religiones, incluyendo 49.0 por ciento se identifican
como cristianos. Otro 41.9 por ciento indic que no tenan religin. [ n 10 ][ 267 ] Los principales
denominaciones cristianas son el catolicismo romano (12,6 por ciento), el
anglicanismo (11,8 por ciento), presbiterianismo (8,5 por ciento) y "cristiano no define an
ms" (es decir, personas identifica como cristiana, pero no indica la denominacin, el 5,5
por ciento). [ 267 ] Otras religiones minoritarias significativas incluyen el hinduismo (2,3 por
ciento), el budismo(1,5 por ciento) y el Islam (1,2 por ciento). Los cristianos maores
indgenas tienden a ser asociados con las iglesias anglicanas y catlicas, mientras que la
gente del Pacfico tienden a ser presbiteriana, metodista, catlica y SUD
adherentes. [ 267 ] Los basados en maor Ringatu y Ratana religiones han experimentado un
crecimiento considerable. [ 267 ]

Cultura
Artculo principal: Cultura de Nueva Zelanda

Late casa de postas del siglo XX que muestra el navegador Kupeluchando dos criaturas del mar

Temprano maor adaptado el este basada tropical cultura polinesia en lnea con los retos
asociados con un ambiente ms grande y ms diversa, con el tiempo el desarrollo de su
propia cultura distintiva. La organizacin social fue en gran medida comunitaria con las
familias (whanau), sub-tribus (hapu) y las tribus (iwi) gobernados por un jefe (rangatira)
cuya posicin era sujeto a la aprobacin de la comunidad.

[ 268 ]

Los inmigrantes britnicos e

irlandeses trajeron los aspectos de su propia cultura de Nueva Zelanda y la cultura maor
tambin influy, [ 269 ][ 270 ] en particular con la introduccin del cristianismo.

[ 271 ]

Sin embargo,

los maores siguen considerando su lealtad a grupos tribales como una parte vital de su
identidad , y los roles de parentesco maores se asemejan los de otros pueblos de la
Polinesia . [ 272 ] Ms recientemente Americana , australianos , asiticos y otras culturas
europeas influencia han ejercido en Nueva Zelanda. Culturas no maores polinesios

tambin son evidentes, con Pasifika , festival polinesio ms grande del mundo, ahora en
un evento anual en Auckland.

Niue bailarines en AucklandPasifika Festival

La vida en gran parte rural a principios de Nueva Zelanda llev a la imagen de los
neozelandeses de ser resistentes, capaces de resolver problemas industriosos.

[ 273 ]

se

esperaba y ejecutada a travs de la "modestia Sndrome de alta exposicin ", donde los
grandes triunfadores recibieron duras crticas. [ 274 ] En la hora de Nueva Zelanda no era
conocido como un pas intelectual. [ 275 ] Desde el siglo 20 hasta finales de 1960 la cultura
maor fue suprimida por el intento de asimilacin de los maores en British
neozelandeses. [ 253 ] En la dcada de 1960, ya que la educacin superior se hizo ms
disponible y ciudades ampliado [ 276 ] cultura urbana comenz a dominar. [ 277 ] A pesar de que
la mayora de la poblacin vive en ciudades, gran parte del arte, la literatura, el cine y el
humor de Nueva Zelanda tiene temas rurales.

Arte
Artculo principal: Arte de Nueva Zelanda
Como parte del resurgimiento de la cultura maor, los oficios tradicionales de la talla y el
tejido son ahora ms ampliamente practicadas y artistas maores estn aumentando en
nmero e influencia. [ 278 ] tallas ms maores cuentan con figuras humanas, generalmente
con tres dedos y ya sea una naturalizacin buscando, jefe detallada o una cabeza
grotesca. [ 279 ] patrones superficiales que consisten en espirales, crestas, muescas y
escamas de pescado decoran la mayora de las tallas.

[ 280 ]

La arquitectura preeminente

maor consista en casas de reunin talladas ( Wharenui ) decoradas con tallas simblicos
y ilustraciones. Estos edificios fueron diseados originalmente para ser reconstruido
constantemente, cambiando y adaptndose a diferentes caprichos o necesidades.

[ 281 ]

Maor decor la madera blanca de edificios, canoas y cenotafios utilizando rojo (una
mezcla de rojo ocre y grasa tiburn) y negro (hecho de holln) pintura y fotografas de
aves, reptiles y otros diseos en las paredes de la cueva pintada.

[ 282 ]

tatuajes maores

( moko ) que consiste en el holln de colores mezclados con la goma se cortaron en la

carne con un cincel de hueso. [ 283 ] Desde la llegada pinturas europeas y fotografas han
sido dominados por los paisajes, originalmente no como obras de arte, sino como

representaciones objetivas de Nueva Zelanda. [ 284 ] Retratos de los maores eran tambin
comunes, con los primeros pintores menudo presentndolos como " nobles salvajes ",
bellezas exticas o nativos amistosos. [ 284 ] el aislamiento del pas retras la influencia de
las tendencias artsticas europeas permitiendo a los artistas locales a desarrollar su propio
estilo distintivo de regionalismo . [ 285 ] Durante la dcada de 1960 y 70 muchos artistas
combinan tcnicas tradicionales maores y occidentales, creando formas de arte
nicas. [ 286 ] arte de Nueva Zelanda y la artesana ha logrado poco a poco a un pblico
internacional, con exposiciones en la Bienal de Venecia en 2001 y el " Paradise Now
"exposicin en Nueva York en 2004. [ 278 ][ 287 ]

Retrato de Hinepare deNgti Kahungunu porGottfried Lindauer , mostrando la

barbilla moko , pounamuhei tiki y la capa tejida

Mantos maores estn hechos de fibra de lino fino y modelados con tringulos negros,
rojos y blancos, diamantes y otras formas geomtricas.

[ 288 ]

Greenstone fue formado en

pendientes y collares, con el diseo ms conocido es el hei-tiki , una distorsionada figura

humana sentada con las piernas cruzadas, con su cabeza inclinada hacia un
lado. [ 289 ] europeos trajeron Ingls etiqueta de moda a Nueva Zelanda, y hasta la dcada
de 1950 la mayora de la gente vestidos para ocasiones sociales.

[ 290 ]

Normas han puesto

de moda relajada y Nueva Zelanda tiene recibido una reputacin de ser mediocre, prctico
e informal. [ 291 ][ 292 ] Sin embargo, la industria de la moda local ha crecido significativamente
desde 2000, duplicando las exportaciones y el aumento de un puado de unos 50
etiquetas establecidas, con algunas etiquetas ganando reconocimiento internacional.

[ 292 ]

Literatura
Artculo principal: Literatura de Nueva Zelanda
Maor rpidamente adoptado la escritura como un medio para el intercambio de ideas, y
muchas de sus historias orales y poemas se convirtieron en la forma escrita.

[ 293 ]

La

mayora temprana literatura Ingls se obtuvo de Gran Bretaa y no fue hasta la dcada de
1950, cuando tomas editoriales locales incrementaron que literatura Nueva Zelanda

comenz a ser ampliamente conocido. [ 294 ] A pesar de que todava en gran parte
influenciada por las tendencias globales ( modernismo ) y eventos (la Gran Depresin), los
escritores de la dcada de 1930 comenz a desarrollar historias se centraron cada vez
ms en sus experiencias en Nueva Zelanda. Durante este perodo de la literatura cambi
de un periodstica actividad para una bsqueda ms acadmico.

[ 295 ]

La participacin en

las guerras mundiales dio algunos escritores de Nueva Zelanda una nueva perspectiva
sobre la cultura de Nueva Zelanda y con la expansin de la posguerra de las
universidades literatura local floreci.

[ 296 ]

Dunedin es un UNESCO Ciudad de la

Literatura . [ 297 ]

Medios y entretenimiento
Artculos principales: Msica de Nueva Zelanda , Cine de Nueva Zelanda y de los medios
de comunicacin de Nueva Zelanda

Puenting en la popular ciudad turstica de Queenstown .

Msica de Nueva Zelanda ha sido influenciado por el blues , el jazz , el pas , el rock and
roll y hip hop , con muchos de estos gneros dado una interpretacin nica de Nueva
Zelanda. [ 298 ] maores desarrollaron cantos y canciones tradicionales de sus antiguos
orgenes del sudeste asitico, y despus de siglos de aislamiento crearon un "montono"
y sonido nico "triste". [ 299 ] Las flautas y trompetas se utilizaban como instrumentos
musicales [ 300 ] o como dispositivos durante la guerra o las ocasiones especiales de
sealizacin. [ 301 ] Los primeros colonos trajeron su origen tnico msica, con bandas de
msica y la msica coral de ser popular, y los msicos comenzaron a viajar a Nueva
Zelanda en la dcada de 1860. [ 302 ][ 303 ] bandas de tuberas se generaliz durante el siglo
20. [ 304 ] La industria discogrfica de Nueva Zelanda comenzaron a desarrollarse a partir de
1940 en adelante y muchos msicos de Nueva Zelanda han obtenido xito en Gran
Bretaa y los EE.UU.. [ 298 ] Algunos artistas difunden canciones lengua maor y la tcnica
basada en la tradicin maor de kapa haka (canto y baile) ha hecho un
resurgimiento. [ 305 ] La Nueva Zelanda Music Awards se celebran anualmente por Recorded
Music NZ ; los premios se celebraron por primera vez en 1965 por Reckitt & Colman como
los Loxene Oro Disco premios. [ 306 ] Msica Grabada NZ tambin publica semanalmente
oficiales del pas cartas de registro . [ 307 ]

Radio lleg por primera vez en Nueva Zelanda en 1922 y de la televisin en 1960.

[ 308 ]

El

nmero de pelculas de Nueva Zelanda aument significativamente durante la dcada de

1970. [ 309 ] En 1978, la Comisin de Cine de Nueva Zelanda comenz a ayudar a los
cineastas locales y muchas pelculas alcanzaron un mundo audiencia, algunos reciben
reconocimiento internacional. Las pelculas ms taquilleras de Nueva
Zelanda [ 310 ] incluyen: Boy , ms rpidos del mundo indio , guerreros alguna vez fueron ,
y Whale Rider . La desregulacin en la dcada de 1980 vio un aumento repentino en el
nmero de estaciones de radio y televisin. [ 309 ] la televisin de Nueva Zelanda transmite
principalmente la programacin estadounidense y britnica, junto con un gran nmero de
espectculos de Australia y locales. Diversos incentivos paisajes y de tamao compacto,
adems del gobierno del pas, [ 311 ] han alentado a algunos productores para filmar
pelculas de gran presupuesto en Nueva Zelanda.

[ 312 ]

La medios de Nueva Zelanda sector

est dominado por un pequeo nmero de empresas, la mayora de los cuales son
extranjeros participada, aunque el Estado mantiene la propiedad de algunas estaciones
de televisin y radio. Entre 2003 y 2008, Reporteros sin Fronteras clasifican
sistemticamente la libertad de prensa de Nueva Zelanda en los veinte primeros.

[ 313 ]

partir de 2011, Nueva Zelanda se clasific 13 en todo el mundo en la libertad de prensa

de Freedom House , con la segunda media ms libre en la regin de Asia y el Pacfico
despus de Palau . [ 314 ]

Deportes
Artculo principal: Deporte en Nueva Zelanda

Un haka realizado por el equipo de la liga nacional de rugby de Nueva Zelanda antes de un
partido. Un haka es un grito de guerra por los maorescon movimientos vigorosos y
estampacin de los pies.

La mayora de los principales cdigos deportivos disputados en Nueva Zelanda tienen

orgenes britnicos. [ 315 ] La unin del rugbi es considerado el deporte nacional [ 316 ] y atrae a
la mayora de los espectadores. [ 317 ] Golf , netball , tenis y el cricket tienen las mayores
tasas de participacin de los adultos , mientras que el netball, rugby y ftbol (soccer) es
muy popular entre los jvenes. [ 317 ][ 318 ] Alrededor de 54 por ciento de los adolescentes de
Nueva Zelanda participan en deportes de su escuela. [ 318 ] Victoriousrugby visitas a

Australia y el Reino Unido en las finales de 1880 y los primeros de 1900 jugaron un papel
temprano en la inculcacin de una identidad nacional.

[ 319 ]

Las carreras de caballos fue

tambin en un popular deporte de espectadores y se convirti en parte de la "Rugby,

Racing y cerveza" cultura durante la dcada de 1960.

[ 320 ]

la participacin de los maores

en deportivo europeo fue particularmente evidente en el rugby y el equipo del pas realiza
una haka , un desafo tradicional maor, antes de los partidos internacionales.

[ 321 ]

Nueva Zelanda cuenta con equipos internacionales competitivos en rugby , netball , el

cricket , rugby league , y softbol y lo ha hecho tradicionalmente bien en triatlones, remo,
vela y ciclismo. Nueva Zelanda particip en los Juegos Olmpicos de Verano en 1908 y
1912 como un equipo conjunto con Australia , antes de participar primero por su cuenta en
1920. El pas ha puesto en gran medida de una proporcin de medallas a la poblacin en
los ltimos Juegos. [ 317 ][ 322 ][ 323 ] Los All Blacks , el equipo de rugby de los hombres
nacionales, son los ms exitosos en la historia del rugby internacional
reinantes de la Copa Mundial de campeones.
sus deportes extremos , turismo de aventura

[ 325 ]

[ 326 ]

[ 324 ]

y los

Nueva Zelanda es conocida por

y la fuerte tradicin del

alpinismo. [ 327 ] Otras actividades al aire libre como el ciclismo, la pesca, la natacin,
correr,andar , piragismo, caza, deportes de nieve y el surf son tambin populares.

[ 328 ]

El

deporte polinesia de ama waka de carreras ha aumentado en popularidad y ahora es un

deporte internacional que participan equipos de todo el Pacfico.

[ 329 ]

New Zealand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the constituent country within the Realm of New Zealand.
For other uses, see New Zealand (disambiguation).
"NZ" redirects here. For other uses, see NZ (disambiguation).
New Zealand
Aotearoa (Mori)

Flag

Coat of arms

Anthem:
"God Defend New Zealand"
MENU0:00
"God Save the Queen"[n 1]

Location of New Zealand within the Realm of New Zealand

Location of New Zealand within the Realm of New Zealand
Capital

Wellington

4117S 17427E
Largest city Auckland
Official languages
95.9% English[n 2]
4.2% Mori
0.6% NZ Sign Language
Ethnic groups (2013)
74.0% European
14.9% Mori
11.8% Asian
7.4% Pacific peoples
1.2% Middle Eastern, Latin American, African
1.7% Other[4]
Demonym

New Zealander

Kiwi (informal)
Government Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
-

Monarch

Elizabeth II

Governor-General Jerry Mateparae

Prime Minister

John Key

Legislature Parliament
(House of Representatives)
Independence from the United Kingdom
-

Responsible government 7 May 1856

Dominion

26 September 1907

Statute of Westminster adopted 25 November 1947

De jure independence

10 December 1947

Area
-

Total 268,021 km2 (75th)

103,483 sq mi
-

Water (%)

1.6[n 3]

Population
-

March 2015 estimate

2013 census 4,242,048

Density

4,578,900[6] (123rd)

16.8/km2 (205th)

43.6/sq mi
GDP (PPP)

2015 estimate

Total $164.965 billion[7]

Per capita

GDP (nominal)

$36,152[7]
2015 estimate

Total $191.730 billion[7]

Per capita

$42,017[7]

Gini (2010) 0.32[8]

low
HDI (2013) Steady 0.910[9]
very high 7th
Currency

New Zealand dollar ($) (NZD)

Time zone

NZST[n 4] (UTC+12)

Summer (DST)

(Sep to Apr)

NZDT (UTC+13)

Date format dd/mm/yyyy

Drives on the

left

Calling code +64

ISO 3166 code

NZ

Internet TLD .nz

New Zealand (Mori: Aotearoa [ataa]) is an island country in the
southwestern Pacific Ocean.

The country geographically comprises two main landmasses that of the North
Island, or Te Ika-a-Mui, and the South Island, or Te Waipounamu and
numerous smaller islands. New Zealand is situated some 1,500 kilometres (900
mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres (600
mi) south of the Pacific island areas of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Because
of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. During
its long isolation, New Zealand developed a distinctive biodiversity of animal,
fungal and plant life. The country's varied topography and its sharp mountain
peaks, such as the Southern Alps, owe much to the tectonic uplift of land and
volcanic eruptions. New Zealand's capital city is Wellington, while its most
populous city is Auckland.

Polynesians settled New Zealand in 12501300 CE and developed a distinctive

Mori culture. Abel Tasman, a Dutch explorer, was the first European to sight
New Zealand in 1642.[10] In 1840, representatives of the British Crown and
Mori Chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi, making New Zealand a British
colony. Today, the majority of New Zealand's population of 4.5 million is of
European descent; the indigenous Mori are the largest minority, followed by
Asians and Pacific Islanders. Reflecting this, New Zealand's culture is mainly
derived from Mori and early British settlers, with recent broadening arising
from increased immigration. The official languages are English, Mori and New
Zealand Sign Language, with English predominant. The country's economy was
historically dominated by the export of wool, but exports of dairy products,
meat, and wine, along with tourism, are more significant today.

Nationally, legislative authority is vested in an elected, unicameral Parliament,

while executive political power is exercised by the Cabinet, led by the Prime
Minister, who is currently John Key. Queen Elizabeth II is the country's head of

state and is represented by a Governor-General. In addition, New Zealand is

organised into 11 regional councils and 67 territorial authorities for local
government purposes. The Realm of New Zealand also includes Tokelau (a
dependent territory); the Cook Islands and Niue (self-governing states in free
association with New Zealand); and the Ross Dependency, which is New
Zealand's territorial claim in Antarctica. New Zealand is a member of the United
Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, ANZUS, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Pacific Islands Forum and Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation.

Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 History
3 Politics
3.1 Government
3.2 Foreign relations and the military
3.3 Local government and external territories
4 Environment
4.1 Geography
4.2 Climate
4.3 Biodiversity
5 Economy
5.1 Trade
5.2 Infrastructure
6 Demography
6.1 Ethnicity and immigration
6.2 Language
6.3 Education
6.4 Religion
7 Culture

7.1 Art
7.2 Literature
7.3 Media and entertainment
7.4 Sports
8 See also
9 Notes
9.1 Footnotes
9.2 Citations
10 References
11 Further reading
12 External links
Etymology
See also: New Zealand place names
brown square paper with Dutch writing and a thick red, curved line
Detail from a 1657 map showing the western coastline of "Nova Zeelandia"
Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sighted New Zealand in 1642 and called it Staten
Landt, supposing it was connected to a landmass of the same name at the
southern tip of South America.[11] In 1645 Dutch cartographers renamed the
land Nova Zeelandia after the Dutch province of Zeeland.[12][13] British
explorer James Cook subsequently anglicised the name to New Zealand.[n 5]

Aotearoa (often translated as "land of the long white cloud")[14] is the current
Mori name for New Zealand. It is unknown whether Mori had a name for the
whole country before the arrival of Europeans, with Aotearoa originally referring
to just the North Island.[15] Mori had several traditional names for the two
main islands, including Te Ika-a-Mui (the fish of Mui) for the North Island and
Te Waipounamu (the waters of greenstone) or Te Waka o Aoraki (the canoe of
Aoraki) for the South Island.[16] Early European maps labelled the islands
North (North Island), Middle (South Island) and South (Stewart Island / Rakiura).
[17] In 1830, maps began to use North and South to distinguish the two largest
islands and by 1907 this was the accepted norm.[18] The New Zealand
Geographic Board discovered in 2009 that the names of the North Island and

South Island had never been formalised, and names and alternative names
were formalised in 2013. This set the names as North Island or Te Ika-a-Mui,
and South Island or Te Waipounamu.[19] Note that for each island, either its
English or Mori name can be used, or both can be used together.

History
Main article: History of New Zealand
One set of arrows point from Taiwan to Melanesia to Fiji/Samoa and then to the
Marquesas Islands. The population then spread, some going south to New
Zealand and others going north to Hawai'i. A second set start in southern Asia
and end in Melanesia.
The Mori people are most likely descended from people who emigrated from
Taiwan to Melanesia and then travelled east through to the Society Islands.
After a pause of 70 to 265 years, a new wave of exploration led to the
discovery and settlement of New Zealand.[20]
New Zealand was one of the last major landmasses settled by humans.
Radiocarbon dating, evidence of deforestation[21] and mitochondrial DNA
variability within Mori populations[22] suggest New Zealand was first settled
by Eastern Polynesians between 1250 and 1300,[16][23] concluding a long
series of voyages through the southern Pacific islands.[24] Over the centuries
that followed these settlers developed a distinct culture now known as Mori.
The population was divided into iwi (tribes) and hap (subtribes) who would
sometimes cooperate, sometimes compete and sometimes fight with each
other. At some point a group of Mori migrated to the Chatham Islands (which
they named Rkohu) where they developed their distinct Moriori culture.[25]
[26] The Moriori population was all but wiped out between 1835 and 1862,
largely because of Taranaki Mori invasion and enslavement in the 1830s,
although European diseases also contributed. In 1862 only 101 survived and
the last known full-blooded Moriori died in 1933.[27]

The first Europeans known to have reached New Zealand were Dutch explorer
Abel Tasman and his crew in 1642.[28] In a hostile encounter, four crew
members were killed and at least one Mori was hit by canister shot.[29]
Europeans did not revisit New Zealand until 1769 when British explorer James
Cook mapped almost the entire coastline.[28] Following Cook, New Zealand
was visited by numerous European and North American whaling, sealing and
trading ships. They traded food, metal tools, weapons and other goods for
timber, food, artifacts and water.[30] The introduction of the potato and the

musket transformed Mori agriculture and warfare. Potatoes provided a reliable

food surplus, which enabled longer and more sustained military campaigns.[31]
The resulting intertribal Musket Wars encompassed over 600 battles between
1801 and 1840, killing 30,00040,000 Mori.[32] From the early 19th century,
Christian missionaries began to settle New Zealand, eventually converting
most of the Mori population.[33] The Mori population declined to around 40
percent of its pre-contact level during the 19th century; introduced diseases
were the major factor.[34]

A torn sheet of paper

The Waitangi sheet from the Treaty of Waitangi
In 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip assumed the position of Governor of the new
British colony of New South Wales which according to his commission included
New Zealand.[35] The British Government appointed James Busby as British
Resident to New Zealand in 1832 following a petition from northern Mori.[36]
In 1835, following an announcement of impending French settlement by
Charles de Thierry, the nebulous United Tribes of New Zealand sent a
Declaration of the Independence to King William IV of the United Kingdom
asking for protection.[36] Ongoing unrest, the proposed settlement of New
Zealand by the New Zealand Company (which had already sent its first ship of
surveyors to buy land from Mori) and the dubious legal standing of the
Declaration of Independence prompted the Colonial Office to send Captain
William Hobson to claim sovereignty for Great Britain and negotiate a treaty
with the Mori.[37] The Treaty of Waitangi was first signed in the Bay of Islands
on 6 February 1840.[38] In response to the New Zealand Company's attempts
to establish an independent settlement in Wellington[39] and French settlers
purchasing land in Akaroa,[40] Hobson declared British sovereignty over all of
New Zealand on 21 May 1840, even though copies of the Treaty were still
circulating throughout the country for Mori to sign.[41] With the signing of the
Treaty and declaration of sovereignty the number of immigrants, particularly
from the United Kingdom, began to increase.[42]

Painting of Mount Earnslaw by John Turnbull Thomson, oil on canvas, 1888

New Zealand, still part of the colony of New South Wales, became a separate
Colony of New Zealand on 1 July 1841.[43] The colony gained a representative
government in 1852 and the first Parliament met in 1854.[44] In 1856 the
colony effectively became self-governing, gaining responsibility over all

domestic matters other than native policy. (Control over native policy was
granted in the mid-1860s.)[44] Following concerns that the South Island might
form a separate colony, premier Alfred Domett moved a resolution to transfer
the capital from Auckland to a locality near the Cook Strait.[45] Wellington was
chosen for its harbour and central location, with parliament officially sitting
there for the first time in 1865. As immigrant numbers increased, conflicts over
land led to the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s and 1870s, resulting in the loss
and confiscation of much Mori land.[46]

In 1891 the Liberal Party led by John Ballance came to power as the first
organised political party. The Liberal Government, later led by Richard Seddon,
passed many important social and economic measures. In 1893 New Zealand
was the first nation in the world to grant all women the right to vote[47] and in
1894 pioneered the adoption of compulsory arbitration between employers and
unions.[48] In 1898 Seddon's government passed the Old-age Pensions Act of
1898, the first general pensions scheme in the British Empire.

In 1907, at the request of the New Zealand Parliament, King Edward VII
proclaimed New Zealand a dominion within the British Empire, reflecting its
self-governing status. Accordingly, the title "Dominion of New Zealand" dates
from 1907.[49][50]

In 1947 the country adopted the Statute of Westminster, confirming that the
British parliament could no longer legislate for New Zealand without the
consent of New Zealand.[44] New Zealand was involved in world affairs,
fighting, as part of the British Empire, in the First and Second World Wars[51]
and suffering through the Great Depression.[52] The depression led to the
election of the first Labour government and the establishment of a
comprehensive welfare state and a protectionist economy.[53] New Zealand
experienced increasing prosperity following World War II[54] and Mori began
to leave their traditional rural life and move to the cities in search of work.[55]
A Mori protest movement developed, which criticised Eurocentrism and
worked for greater recognition of Mori culture and the Treaty of Waitangi.[56]
In 1975, a Waitangi Tribunal was set up to investigate alleged breaches of the
Treaty, and it was enabled to investigate historic grievances in 1985.[38] The
government has negotiated settlements of these grievances with many iwi,
although Mori claims to the foreshore and seabed have proved controversial in
the 2000s.

Politics
Main article: Politics of New Zealand
Government
A smiling man wearing a white shirt with a green tie and black jacket
John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand since 2008
New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy,[57]
although its constitution is not codified.[58] Elizabeth II is the Queen of New
Zealand and the head of state.[59] The Queen is represented by the GovernorGeneral, whom she appoints on the advice of the Prime Minister.[60][61] The
Governor-General can exercise the Crown's prerogative powers, such as
reviewing cases of injustice and making appointments of ministers,
ambassadors and other key public officials,[62] and in rare situations, the
reserve powers (e.g. the power to dissolve Parliament or refuse the Royal
Assent of a bill into law).[63] The powers of the Queen and the GovernorGeneral are limited by constitutional constraints and they cannot normally be
exercised without the advice of Cabinet.[63][64]

refer to caption
Elizabeth II
refer to caption
Sir Jerry Mateparae
The Queen of New Zealand and her vice-regal representative, the GovernorGeneral
The New Zealand Parliament holds legislative power and consists of the Queen
and the House of Representatives.[64] It also included an upper house, the
Legislative Council, until this was abolished in 1950.[64] The supremacy of
Parliament, over the Crown and other government institutions, was established
in England by the Bill of Rights 1689 and has been ratified as law in New
Zealand.[64] The House of Representatives is democratically elected and a
Government is formed from the party or coalition with the majority of seats.
[64] If no majority is formed a minority government can be formed if support
from other parties during confidence and supply votes is assured. The
Governor-General appoints ministers under advice from the Prime Minister,[65]
who is by convention the Parliamentary leader of the governing party or
coalition. Cabinet, formed by ministers and led by the Prime Minister, is the
highest policy-making body in government and responsible for deciding

significant government actions.[66] By convention, members of cabinet are

bound by collective responsibility to decisions made by cabinet.[67]

A block of buildings fronted by a large statue

A statue of Richard Seddon, New Zealand government "Beehive" and the
Parliament Buildings (right), in Parliament Grounds, Wellington.
Almost all parliamentary general elections between 1853 and 1993 were held
under the first-past-the-post voting system.[68] The elections since 1930 have
been dominated by two political parties, National and Labour.[68] Since the
1996 election, a form of proportional representation called Mixed Member
Proportional (MMP) has been used.[58] Under the MMP system each person has
two votes; one is for electoral seats (including some reserved for Mori),[69]
and the other is for a party. Since the 2014 election, there have been 71
electorate seats (which includes 7 Mori electorates), and the remaining 49
seats are assigned so that representation in parliament reflects the party vote,
although a party has to win one electoral seat or 5 percent of the total party
vote before it is eligible for these seats.[70] Between March 2005 and August
2006 New Zealand became the only country in the world in which all the
highest offices in the land (Head of State, Governor-General, Prime Minister,
Speaker and Chief Justice) were occupied simultaneously by women.[71]

Judges and judicial officers are appointed non-politically and under strict rules
regarding tenure to help maintain constitutional independence from the
government.[58] This theoretically allows the judiciary to interpret the law
based solely on the legislation enacted by Parliament without other influences
on their decisions.[72] The Privy Council in London was the country's final court
of appeal until 2004, when it was replaced with the newly established Supreme
Court of New Zealand. The judiciary, headed by the Chief Justice,[73] includes
the Court of Appeal, the High Court, and subordinate courts.[58]

New Zealand is identified as one of the world's most stable and well-governed
nations.[74] As of 2011, the country was ranked fifth in the strength of its
democratic institutions[75] and first in government transparency and lack of
corruption.[76] New Zealand has a high level of civic participation, with 79%
voter turnout during the most recent elections, compared to an OECD average
of 72%. Furthermore, 67% of New Zealanders say they trust their political
institutions, far higher than the OECD average of 56%.[77]

See also: International rankings of New Zealand

Foreign relations and the military
Main articles: Foreign relations of New Zealand and New Zealand Defence Force

Anzac Day service at the National War Memorial

Early colonial New Zealand allowed the British Government to determine
external trade and be responsible for foreign policy.[78] The 1923 and 1926
Imperial Conferences decided that New Zealand should be allowed to negotiate
their own political treaties and the first commercial treaty was ratified in 1928
with Japan. On 3 September 1939 New Zealand allied itself with Britain and
declared war on Germany with Prime Minister Michael Savage proclaiming,
"Where she goes, we go; where she stands, we stand."[79]

A squad of men kneel in the desert sand while performing a war dance
Mori Battalion haka in Egypt, 1941
In 1951 the United Kingdom became increasingly focused on its European
interests,[80] while New Zealand joined Australia and the United States in the
ANZUS security treaty.[81] The influence of the United States on New Zealand
weakened following protests over the Vietnam War,[82] the refusal of the
United States to admonish France after the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior,[83]
disagreements over environmental and agricultural trade issues and New
Zealand's nuclear-free policy.[84][85] Despite the USA's suspension of ANZUS
obligations the treaty remained in effect between New Zealand and Australia,
whose foreign policy has followed a similar historical trend.[86] Close political
contact is maintained between the two countries, with free trade agreements
and travel arrangements that allow citizens to visit, live and work in both
countries without restrictions.[87] In 2013, there are about 650,000 New
Zealand citizens living in Australia, which is about 15 percent of the population
of New Zealand.[88] 65,000 Australians live in New Zealand.[87]

New Zealand has a strong presence among the Pacific Island countries. A large
proportion of New Zealand's aid goes to these countries and many Pacific
people migrate to New Zealand for employment.[89] Permanent migration is
regulated under the 1970 Samoan Quota Scheme and the 2002 Pacific Access
Category, which allow up to 1,100 Samoan nationals and up to 750 other
Pacific Islanders respectively to become permanent New Zealand residents

each year. A seasonal workers scheme for temporary migration was introduced
in 2007 and in 2009 about 8,000 Pacific Islanders were employed under it.[90]
New Zealand is involved in the Pacific Islands Forum, Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum
(including the East Asia Summit).[87] New Zealand is also a member of the
United Nations,[91] the Commonwealth of Nations,[92] the Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development[93] and the Five Power Defence
Arrangements.[94]

Infantry from the 2nd Battalion, Auckland Regiment in the Battle of the Somme,
September 1916
The New Zealand Defence Force has three branches: the Royal New Zealand
Navy, the New Zealand Army and the Royal New Zealand Air Force.[95] New
Zealand's national defence needs are modest because of the unlikelihood of
direct attack,[96] although it does have a global presence. The country fought
in both world wars, with notable campaigns in Gallipoli, Crete,[97] El
Alamein[98] and Cassino.[99] The Gallipoli campaign played an important part
in fostering New Zealand's national identity[100][101] and strengthened the
ANZAC tradition it shares with Australia.[102] According to Mary Edmond-Paul,
"World War I had left scars on New Zealand society, with nearly 18,500 in total
dying as a result of the war, more than 41,000 wounded, and others affected
emotionally, out of an overseas fighting force of about 103,000 and a
population of just over a million."[103] New Zealand also played key parts in
the naval Battle of the River Plate[104] and the Battle of Britain air campaign.
[105][106] During World War II, the United States had more than 400,000
American military personnel stationed in New Zealand.[107]

In addition to Vietnam and the two world wars, New Zealand fought in the
Korean War, the Second Boer War,[108] the Malayan Emergency,[109] the Gulf
War and the Afghanistan War. It has contributed forces to several regional and
global peacekeeping missions, such as those in Cyprus, Somalia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, the Sinai, Angola, Cambodia, the IranIraq border, Bougainville,
East Timor, and the Solomon Islands.[110] New Zealand also sent a unit of
army engineers to help rebuild Iraqi infrastructure for one year during the Iraq
War.

New Zealand ranks 8th in the Center for Global Development's 2012
Commitment to Development Index, which ranks the world's most developed
countries on their dedication to policies that benefit poorer nations.[111] New
Zealand is considered the fourth most peaceful country in the world according
to the 2014 Global Peace Index.[112]

Local government and external territories

Main articles: Local government in New Zealand and Realm of New Zealand

Realm of New Zealand

The early European settlers divided New Zealand into provinces, which had a
degree of autonomy.[113] Because of financial pressures and the desire to
consolidate railways, education, land sales and other policies, government was
centralised and the provinces were abolished in 1876.[114] As a result, New
Zealand now has no separately represented subnational entities. The provinces
are remembered in regional public holidays[115] and sporting rivalries.[116]

Since 1876, various councils have administered local areas under legislation
determined by the central government.[113][117] In 1989, the government
reorganised local government into the current two-tier structure of regional
councils and territorial authorities.[118] The 249 municipalities[118] that
existed in 1975 have now been consolidated into 67 territorial authorities and
11 regional councils.[119] The regional councils' role is to regulate "the natural
environment with particular emphasis on resource management",[118] while
territorial authorities are responsible for sewage, water, local roads, building
consents and other local matters.[120] Five of the territorial councils are
unitary authorities and also act as regional councils.[121] The territorial
authorities consist of 13 city councils, 53 district councils, and the Chatham
Islands Council. While officially the Chatham Islands Council is not a unitary
authority, it undertakes many functions of a regional council.[122]

New Zealand is one of 16 realms within the Commonwealth.[123][124] The

Realm of New Zealand is the territory over which the Queen of New Zealand is
sovereign and comprises New Zealand, Tokelau, the Ross Dependency, the
Cook Islands and Niue.[124] The Cook Islands and Niue are self-governing
states in free association with New Zealand.[125][126] The New Zealand
Parliament cannot pass legislation for these countries, but with their consent

can act on behalf of them in foreign affairs and defence. Tokelau is a non-selfgoverning territory that uses the New Zealand flag and anthem, but is
administered by a council of three elders (one from each Tokelauan atoll).[127]
[128] The Ross Dependency is New Zealand's territorial claim in Antarctica,
where it operates the Scott Base research facility.[129] New Zealand citizenship
law treats all parts of the realm equally, so most people born in New Zealand,
the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau and the Ross Dependency before 2006 are New
Zealand citizens. Further conditions apply for those born from 2006 onwards.
[130]

[show] v t e Administrative divisions of the Realm of New Zealand

Environment
Main article: Environment of New Zealand
Geography
Main article: Geography of New Zealand
See also: Atlas of New Zealand at Wikimedia Commons
Photo of New Zealand from space.
The snow-capped Southern Alps dominate the South Island, while the North
Island's Northland Peninsula stretches towards the subtropics.

Aoraki / Mount Cook is the highest point of New Zealand, at 3,754 metres.

The Southern Alps, which stretch for 500 kilometres down the South Island.

Queenstown from Crown Pass

New Zealand is located near the centre of the water hemisphere and is made
up of two main islands and a number of smaller islands. The two main islands
(the North Island, or Te Ika-a-Mui, and the South Island, or Te Waipounamu)
are separated by the Cook Strait, 22 kilometres (14 mi) wide at its narrowest
point.[131] Besides the North and South Islands, the five largest inhabited
islands are Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands, Great Barrier Island (in the
Hauraki Gulf),[132] d'Urville Island (in the Marlborough Sounds)[133] and
Waiheke Island (about 22 km (14 mi) from central Auckland).[134] The

country's islands lie between latitudes 29 and 53S, and longitudes 165 and
176E.

New Zealand is long and narrow (over 1,600 kilometres (990 mi) along its
north-north-east axis with a maximum width of 400 kilometres (250 mi)),[135]
with about 15,000 km (9,300 mi) of coastline[136] and a total land area of
268,000 square kilometres (103,500 sq mi)[137] Because of its far-flung
outlying islands and long coastline, the country has extensive marine
resources. Its Exclusive Economic Zone is one of the largest in the world,
covering more than 15 times its land area.[138]

The South Island is the largest landmass of New Zealand, and is divided along
its length by the Southern Alps.[139] There are 18 peaks over 3,000 metres
(9,800 ft), the highest of which is Aoraki / Mount Cook at 3,754 metres (12,316
ft).[140] Fiordland's steep mountains and deep fiords record the extensive ice
age glaciation of this south-western corner of the South Island.[141] The North
Island is less mountainous but is marked by volcanism.[142] The highly active
Taupo Volcanic Zone has formed a large volcanic plateau, punctuated by the
North Island's highest mountain, Mount Ruapehu (2,797 metres (9,177 ft)). The
plateau also hosts the country's largest lake, Lake Taupo,[143] nestled in the
caldera of one of the world's most active supervolcanoes.[144]

The country owes its varied topography, and perhaps even its emergence
above the waves, to the dynamic boundary it straddles between the Pacific and
Indo-Australian Plates.[145] New Zealand is part of Zealandia, a microcontinent
nearly half the size of Australia that gradually submerged after breaking away
from the Gondwanan supercontinent.[146] About 25 million years ago, a shift in
plate tectonic movements began to contort and crumple the region. This is now
most evident in the Southern Alps, formed by compression of the crust beside
the Alpine Fault. Elsewhere the plate boundary involves the subduction of one
plate under the other, producing the Puysegur Trench to the south, the
Hikurangi Trench east of the North Island, and the Kermadec and Tonga
Trenches[147] further north.[145]

New Zealand is not part of the continent of Australia, but of the separate,
submerged continent of Zealandia.[148] New Zealand and Australia are both
part of the wider regions known as Australasia and Oceania. The term Oceania
is often used to denote the region encompassing the Australian continent, New

Zealand and various islands in the Pacific Ocean that are not included in the
seven-continent model.

Landscapes of New Zealand

Rural scene

The Emerald Lakes, Mt Tongariro.

Lake Gunn

Pencarrow Head, Wellington

Climate
Main article: Climate of New Zealand
New Zealand has a mild and temperate maritime climate (Kppen: Cfb) with
mean annual temperatures ranging from 10 C (50 F) in the south to 16 C (61
F) in the north.[149] Historical maxima and minima are 42.4 C (108.32 F) in
Rangiora, Canterbury and 25.6 C (14.08 F) in Ranfurly, Otago.[150]
Conditions vary sharply across regions from extremely wet on the West Coast
of the South Island to almost semi-arid in Central Otago and the Mackenzie
Basin of inland Canterbury and subtropical in Northland.[151] Of the seven
largest cities, Christchurch is the driest, receiving on average only 640
millimetres (25 in) of rain per year and Auckland the wettest, receiving almost
twice that amount.[152] Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch all receive a
yearly average of more than 2,000 hours of sunshine. The southern and southwestern parts of the South Island have a cooler and cloudier climate, with
around 1,4001,600 hours; the northern and north-eastern parts of the South
Island are the sunniest areas of the country and receive about 2,4002,500
hours.[153] The general snow season is about early June until early October in

the South Island. Snowfall is less common on the North Island, although it does
occur.

Climates of New Zealand

Autumn in Wellington

Central Plateau in winter. Much of this region has a cool continental climate
with regular snowfall.

Scorching Bay beach in summer

Biodiversity
Main article: Biodiversity of New Zealand
New Zealand's geographic isolation for 80 million years[154] and island
biogeography is responsible for the country's unique species of animals, fungi
and plants. They have either evolved from Gondwanan wildlife or the few
organisms that have managed to reach the shores flying, swimming or being
carried across the sea.[155] About 82 percent of New Zealand's indigenous
vascular plants are endemic, covering 1,944 species across 65 genera and
includes a single endemic family.[156][157] The number of fungi recorded from
New Zealand, including lichen-forming species, is not known, nor is the
proportion of those fungi which are endemic, but one estimate suggests there
are approximately 2300 species of lichen-forming fungi in New Zealand[156]
and 40 percent of these are endemic.[158] The two main types of forest are
those dominated by broadleaf trees with emergent podocarps, or by southern
beech in cooler climates.[159] The remaining vegetation types consist of
grasslands, the majority of which are tussock.[160]

Before the arrival of humans an estimated 80 percent of the land was covered
in forest, with only high alpine, wet, infertile and volcanic areas without trees.
[161] Massive deforestation occurred after humans arrived, with around half
the forest cover lost to fire after Polynesian settlement.[162] Much of the

remaining forest fell after European settlement, being logged or cleared to

make room for pastoral farming, leaving forest occupying only 23 percent of
the land.[163]

Kiwi amongst sticks

The endemic flightless kiwi is a national icon.
The forests were dominated by birds, and the lack of mammalian predators led
to some like the kiwi, kakapo and takah evolving flightlessness.[164] The
arrival of humans, associated changes to habitat, and the introduction of rats,
ferrets and other mammals led to the extinction of many bird species, including
large birds like the moa and Haast's eagle.[165][166]

Other indigenous animals are represented by reptiles (tuataras, skinks and

geckos),[167] frogs, spiders (katipo), insects (weta) and snails.[168][169]
Some, such as the wrens and tuatara, are so unique that they have been called
living fossils. Three species of bats (one since extinct) were the only sign of
native land mammals in New Zealand until the 2006 discovery of bones from a
unique, mouse-sized land mammal at least 16 million years old.[170][171]
Marine mammals however are abundant, with almost half the world's
cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) and large numbers of fur seals
reported in New Zealand waters.[172] Many seabirds breed in New Zealand, a
third of them unique to the country.[173] More penguin species are found in
New Zealand than in any other country.[174]

Since human arrival almost half of the country's vertebrate species have
become extinct, including at least fifty-one birds, three frogs, three lizards, one
freshwater fish, and one bat. Others are endangered or have had their range
severely reduced.[165] However, New Zealand conservationists have
pioneered several methods to help threatened wildlife recover, including island
sanctuaries, pest control, wildlife translocation, fostering, and ecological
restoration of islands and other selected areas.[175][176][177][178] According
to the 2012 Environmental Performance Index, New Zealand is considered a
"strong performer" in environmental protection, ranking 14th out of 132
assessed countries.[179]

Economy

Main article: Economy of New Zealand

See also: List of companies of New Zealand and Transport in New Zealand
New Zealand has a modern, prosperous and developed market economy with
an estimated gross domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity (PPP)
per capita of roughly NZ$47,784.[180] The currency is the New Zealand dollar,
informally known as the "Kiwi dollar"; it also circulates in the Cook Islands (see
Cook Islands dollar), Niue, Tokelau, and the Pitcairn Islands.[181] New Zealand
was ranked sixth in the 2013 Human Development Index,[182] fourth in the
The Heritage Foundation's 2012 Index of Economic Freedom,[183] and 13th in
INSEAD's 2012 Global Innovation Index.[184]

Blue water against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains

Milford Sound, one of New Zealand's most famous tourist destinations.[185]
Historically, extractive industries have contributed strongly to New Zealand's
economy, focussing at different times on sealing, whaling, flax, gold, kauri
gum, and native timber.[186] With the development of refrigerated shipping in
the 1880s meat and dairy products were exported to Britain, a trade which
provided the basis for strong economic growth in New Zealand.[187] High
demand for agricultural products from the United Kingdom and the United
States helped New Zealanders achieve higher living standards than both
Australia and Western Europe in the 1950s and 1960s.[188] In 1973, New
Zealand's export market was reduced when the United Kingdom joined the
European Community[189] and other compounding factors, such as the 1973
oil and 1979 energy crisis, led to a severe economic depression.[190] Living
standards in New Zealand fell behind those of Australia and Western Europe,
and by 1982 New Zealand had the lowest per-capita income of all the
developed nations surveyed by the World Bank.[191] Since 1984, successive
governments engaged in major macroeconomic restructuring (known first as
Rogernomics and then Ruthanasia), rapidly transforming New Zealand from a
highly protectionist economy to a liberalised free-trade economy.[192][193]

Unemployment peaked above 10 percent in 1991 and 1992,[194] following the

1987 share market crash, but eventually fell to a record low of 3.4 percent in
2007 (ranking fifth from twenty-seven comparable OECD nations).[195]
However, the global financial crisis that followed had a major impact on New
Zealand, with the GDP shrinking for five consecutive quarters, the longest
recession in over thirty years,[196][197] and unemployment rising back to 7
percent in late 2009.[198] At May 2012, the general unemployment rate was

around 6.7 percent, while the unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 21 was
13.6 percent.[199] In the September 2014 quarter, unemployment was 5.4%.
[200] New Zealand has experienced a series of "brain drains" since the
1970s[201] that still continue today.[202] Nearly one quarter of highly skilled
workers live overseas, mostly in Australia and Britain, which is the largest
proportion from any developed nation.[203] In recent years, however, a "brain
gain" has brought in educated professionals from Europe and lesser developed
countries.[204][205]

Trade
New Zealand is heavily dependent on international trade,[206] particularly in
agricultural products.[207] Exports account for a high 24 percent of its output,
[136] making New Zealand vulnerable to international commodity prices and
global economic slowdowns. Food products made up 55% of the value of all the
country's exports in 2014; wood was the second largest earner (7%).[208] Its
major export partners are Australia, United States, Japan, China, and the United
Kingdom.[136] On 7 April 2008, New Zealand and China signed the New
ZealandChina Free Trade Agreement, the first such agreement China has
signed with a developed country.[209][210] The service sector is the largest
sector in the economy, followed by manufacturing and construction and then
farming and raw material extraction.[136] Tourism plays a significant role in
New Zealand's economy, contributing $15.0 billion to New Zealands total GDP
and supporting 9.6 percent of the total workforce in 2010.[211] International
visitors to New Zealand increased by 3.1 percent in the year to October
2010[212] and are expected to increase at a rate of 2.5 percent annually up to
2015.[211]

A Romney ewe with her two lambs

Wool has historically been one of New Zealand's major exports.
Wool was New Zealands major agricultural export during the late 19th century.
[186] Even as late as the 1960s it made up over a third of all export revenues,
[186] but since then its price has steadily dropped relative to other
commodities[213] and wool is no longer profitable for many farmers.[214] In
contrast dairy farming increased, with the number of dairy cows doubling
between 1990 and 2007,[215] to become New Zealand's largest export earner.
[216] In the year to June 2009, dairy products accounted for 21 percent ($9.1
billion) of total merchandise exports,[217] and the country's largest company,
Fonterra, controls almost one-third of the international dairy trade.[218] Other
agricultural exports in 2009 were meat 13.2 percent, wool 6.3 percent, fruit 3.5

percent and fishing 3.3 percent. New Zealand's wine industry has followed a
similar trend to dairy, the number of vineyards doubling over the same period,
[219] overtaking wool exports for the first time in 2007.[220][221]

Infrastructure
In 2008, oil, gas and coal generated about 69 percent of New Zealand's gross
energy supply while 31% was generated from renewable energy, primarily
hydroelectric power and geothermal power.[222]

New Zealand's transport network comprises 93,805 kilometres (58,288 mi) of

roads, including 199 kilometres (124 mi) of motorways,[223] and 4,128
kilometres (2,565 mi) of railway lines.[136] Most major cities and towns are
linked by bus services, although the private car is the predominant mode of
transport.[224] The railways were privatised in 1993, but were re-nationalised
by the government in stages between 2004 and 2008. The state-owned
enterprise KiwiRail now operates the railways, with the exception of Auckland
commuter services which are operated by Transdev.[225] Railways run the
length of the country, although most lines now carry freight rather than
passengers.[226] Most international visitors arrive via air[227] and New
Zealand has six international airports, but currently only the Auckland and
Christchurch airports connect directly with countries other than Australia or Fiji.
[228]

The New Zealand Post Office had a monopoly over telecommunications until
1987 when Telecom New Zealand was formed, initially as a state-owned
enterprise and then privatised in 1990.[229] Telecom was rebranded as Spark
New Zealand in 2014. Chorus, which was split from Telecom in 2011, still owns
the majority of the telecommunications infrastructure, but competition from
other providers has increased. The United Nations International
Telecommunication Union ranks New Zealand 12th in the development of
information and communications infrastructure, having moved up four places
between 2008 and 2010.[230]

Demography
Main article: Demographics of New Zealand

Graph with a New Zealand population scale ranging from 0 to almost 7 million
on the y axis and the years from 1850 to around 2070 on the x axis. A black
line starts at about 100,000 in 1858 and increases steadily to about 4.1 million
in 2006. Seven separate red lines then project out from the black line ending in
values ranging from roughly 4.5 to 6.5 million in the year 2061; two lines are
slightly thicker than the rest.
New Zealand's historical population (black) and projected growth (red)

New Zealand population pyramid at the 2013 Census.

The population of New Zealand is about 4.5 million.[231] New Zealand is a
predominantly urban country, with 72 percent of the population living in 16
main urban areas and 53 percent living in the four largest cities of Auckland,
Christchurch, Wellington, and Hamilton.[232] New Zealand cities generally rank
highly on international livability measures. For instance, in 2010 Auckland was
ranked the world's 4th most liveable city and Wellington the 12th by the Mercer
Quality of Life Survey.[233]

Life expectancy of a New Zealand in 2012 was 84 years for females, and 80.2
years for males.[234] Life expectancy at birth is forecast to increase from 80
years to 85 years in 2050 and infant mortality is expected to decline.[235] New
Zealand's fertility rate of 2.1 is relatively high for a developed country, and
natural births account for a significant proportion of population growth.
Consequently, the country has a young population compared to most
industrialized nations, with 20 percent of New Zealanders being 14 years-old or
younger.[136] By 2050 the population is forecast to reach 5.3 million, the
median age to rise from 36 years to 43 years and the percentage of people 60
years of age and older to rise from 18 percent to 29 percent.[235] Despite the
high life expectancy, mortality from heart disease is higher in New Zealand
than it is in various other developed Western countries such as Australia, the
United Kingdom and Canada.[236]

vte
Largest urban areas in New Zealand
Statistics New Zealand June 2014 estimate[237]

Rank Name Region

Pop.

Rank Name Region

Pop.

Auckland
55,600

Auckland
1,413,700
Christchurch

11

Wellington

Auckland
Auckland
Wellington
Wellington 1
Taranaki

New Plymouth

Christchurch
Hamilton
Hamilton
2

Wellington
54,400

393,600

12

Whangarei

Christchurch Canterbury 375,200

49,800

13

Invercargill Southland

Hamilton

14

Kapiti Wellington

Napier-Hastings
Hawke's Bay 128,800
Manawatu-Wanganui
39,200

15

Whanganui

Tauranga
35,400

Bay of Plenty

127,700

16

Gisborne

Dunedin

Otago 116,200

17

Palmerston North Manawatu-Wanganui

Pukekohe
Auckland
28,400

82,400

18

Nelson
28,400

Nelson

Timaru

Canterbury

10

Rotorua
23,400

Bay of Plenty

Waikato

218,800

64,100

Blenheim

19

56,200

20

41,000

Gisborne

Marlborough 30,200

Taupo Waikato

Ethnicity and immigration

Main articles: New Zealanders and Immigration to New Zealand

New Zealanders of European descent

Northland

In the 2013 census, 74.0% of New Zealand residents identified ethnically as

European, and 14.9% as Mori. Other major ethnic groups include Asian
(11.8%) and Pacific peoples (7.4%).[238][n 6] The population has become more
diverse in recent decades: in 1961, the census reported that the population of
New Zealand was 92 percent European and 7 percent Mori, with Asian and
Pacific minorities sharing the remaining 1 percent.[239]

While the demonym for a New Zealand citizen is New Zealander, the informal
"Kiwi" is commonly used both internationally[240] and by locals.[241] The
Mori loanword Pkeh has been used to refer to New Zealanders of European
descent, although others reject this appellation.[242][243] The word Pkeh
today is increasingly used to refer to all non-Polynesian New Zealanders.[244]

Lion dancers wearing bright red and yellow costumes

Lion dancers perform at the Auckland Lantern Festival.
The Mori were the first people to reach New Zealand, followed by the early
European settlers. Following colonisation, immigrants were predominantly from
Britain, Ireland and Australia because of restrictive policies similar to the white
Australian policies.[245] There was also significant Dutch, Dalmatian,[246]
Italian, and German immigration, together with indirect European immigration
through Australia, North America, South America and South Africa.[247]
Following the Great Depression policies were relaxed and migrant diversity
increased. In 200910, an annual target of 45,00050,000 permanent residence
approvals was set by the New Zealand Immigration Servicemore than one
new migrant for every 100 New Zealand residents.[248] Just over 25% of New
Zealand's population was born overseas, with the majority (52%) living in the
Auckland region. In the late 2000s, Asia overtook the UK and Ireland as the
largest source of overseas migrants; at the 2013 census, 31.6% of overseasborn New Zealand residents were born in Asia (mainly China, India, the
Philippines and South Korea), while 26.5% were born in the UK and Ireland.
Australia, the Pacific Islands, and South Africa are also significant sources of
migrants.[249] The number of fee-paying international students increased
sharply in the late 1990s, with more than 20,000 studying in public tertiary
institutions in 2002.[250]

Language
Main article: Languages of New Zealand

English is the predominant language in New Zealand, spoken by 98 percent of

the population.[3] New Zealand English is similar to Australian English and
many speakers from the Northern Hemisphere are unable to tell the accents
apart.[251] The most prominent differences between the New Zealand English
dialect and other English dialects are the shifts in the short front vowels: the
short-"i" sound (as in "kit") has centralised towards the schwa sound (the "a" in
"comma" and "about"); the short-"e" sound (as in "dress") has moved towards
the short-"i" sound; and the short-"a" sound (as in "trap") has moved to the
short-"e" sound.[252] Hence, the New Zealand pronunciation of words such as
"bad", "dead", "fish" and "chips" sound like "bed", "did", "fush" and "chups" to
non-New Zealanders.

After the Second World War, Mori were discouraged from speaking their own
language (te reo Mori) in schools and workplaces and it existed as a
community language only in a few remote areas.[253] It has recently
undergone a process of revitalisation,[254][255] being declared one of New
Zealand's official languages in 1987,[256] and is spoken by 4.1 percent of the
population.[3] There are now Mori language immersion schools and two Mori
Television channels, the only nationwide television channels to have the
majority of their prime-time content delivered in Mori.[257] Many places have
both their Mori and English names officially recognised. Samoan is one of the
most widely spoken languages in New Zealand (2.3 percent),[n 7] followed by
French, Hindi, Yue and Northern Chinese.[3][258][n 8] New Zealand Sign
Language is used by about 28,000 people. It was declared one of New
Zealand's official languages in 2006.[259]

Education
Main articles: Education in New Zealand and List of universities in New Zealand
Primary and secondary schooling is compulsory for children aged 6 to 16, with
the majority attending from the age of 5.[260] There are 13 school years and
attending state (public) schools is free to New Zealand citizens and permanent
residents from a person's 5th birthday to the end of the calendar year following
their 19th birthday.[261] New Zealand has an adult literacy rate of 99 percent,
[136] and over half of the population aged 15 to 29 hold a tertiary qualification.
[260][n 9] There are five types of government-owned tertiary institutions:
universities, colleges of education, polytechnics, specialist colleges, and
wnanga,[262] in addition to private training establishments.[263] In the adult
population 14.2 percent have a bachelor's degree or higher, 30.4 percent have
some form of secondary qualification as their highest qualification and 22.4
percent have no formal qualification.[264] The OECD's Programme for

International Student Assessment ranks New Zealand's education system as

the 7th best in the world, with students performing exceptionally well in
reading, mathematics and science.[265]

Simple white building with two red domed towers

A Rtana church
Religion
Main article: Religion in New Zealand
Christianity is the predominant religion in New Zealand, although its society is
among the most secular in the world.[266] In the 2013 Census, 55.0 percent of
the population identified with one or more religions, including 49.0 percent
identifying as Christians. Another 41.9 percent indicated that they had no
religion.[n 10][267] The main Christian denominations are Roman Catholicism
(12.6 percent), Anglicanism (11.8 percent), Presbyterianism (8.5 percent) and
"Christian not further defined" (i.e. people identifying as Christian but not
stating the denomination, 5.5 percent).[267] Other significant minority religions
include Hinduism (2.3 percent), Buddhism (1.5 percent) and Islam (1.2
percent). The indigenous Mori Christians tend to be associated with the
Anglican and Catholic churches, while Pacific people tend to be Presbyterian,
Methodist, Catholic and Latter-day Saint adherents.[267] The Mori-based
Ringat and Rtana religions have experienced considerable growth.[267]

Culture
Main article: Culture of New Zealand
Tall wooden carving showing Kupe above two tentacled sea creatures
Late twentieth-century house-post depicting the navigator Kupe fighting two
sea creatures
Early Mori adapted the tropically based east Polynesian culture in line with the
challenges associated with a larger and more diverse environment, eventually
developing their own distinctive culture. Social organisation was largely
communal with families (whanau), sub-tribes (hapu) and tribes (iwi) ruled by a
chief (rangatira) whose position was subject to the community's approval.[268]
The British and Irish immigrants brought aspects of their own culture to New
Zealand and also influenced Mori culture,[269][270] particularly with the
introduction of Christianity.[271] However, Mori still regard their allegiance to
tribal groups as a vital part of their identity, and Mori kinship roles resemble

those of other Polynesian peoples.[272] More recently American, Australian,

Asian and other European cultures have exerted influence on New Zealand.
Non-Mori Polynesian cultures are also apparent, with Pasifika, the world's
largest Polynesian festival, now an annual event in Auckland.

Niuean dancers at Auckland's Pasifika festival

The largely rural life in early New Zealand led to the image of New Zealanders
being rugged, industrious problem solvers.[273] Modesty was expected and
enforced through the "tall poppy syndrome", where high achievers received
harsh criticism.[274] At the time New Zealand was not known as an intellectual
country.[275] From the early 20th century until the late 1960s Mori culture
was suppressed by the attempted assimilation of Mori into British New
Zealanders.[253] In the 1960s, as higher education became more available and
cities expanded[276] urban culture began to dominate.[277] Even though the
majority of the population now lives in cities, much of New Zealand's art,
literature, film and humour has rural themes.

Art
Main article: New Zealand art
As part of the resurgence of Mori culture, the traditional crafts of carving and
weaving are now more widely practised and Mori artists are increasing in
number and influence.[278] Most Mori carvings feature human figures,
generally with three fingers and either a natural-looking, detailed head or a
grotesque head.[279] Surface patterns consisting of spirals, ridges, notches
and fish scales decorate most carvings.[280] The pre-eminent Mori
architecture consisted of carved meeting houses (wharenui) decorated with
symbolic carvings and illustrations. These buildings were originally designed to
be constantly rebuilt, changing and adapting to different whims or needs.[281]

Mori decorated the white wood of buildings, canoes and cenotaphs using red
(a mixture of red ochre and shark fat) and black (made from soot) paint and
painted pictures of birds, reptiles and other designs on cave walls.[282] Mori
tattoos (moko) consisting of coloured soot mixed with gum were cut into the
flesh with a bone chisel.[283] Since European arrival paintings and
photographs have been dominated by landscapes, originally not as works of art
but as factual portrayals of New Zealand.[284] Portraits of Mori were also

common, with early painters often portraying them as "noble savages", exotic
beauties or friendly natives.[284] The country's isolation delayed the influence
of European artistic trends allowing local artists to developed their own
distinctive style of regionalism.[285] During the 1960s and 70s many artists
combined traditional Mori and Western techniques, creating unique art forms.
[286] New Zealand art and craft has gradually achieved an international
audience, with exhibitions in the Venice Biennale in 2001 and the "Paradise
Now" exhibition in New York in 2004.[278][287]

Refer to caption
Portrait of Hinepare of Ngti Kahungunu by Gottfried Lindauer, showing chin
moko, pounamu hei-tiki and woven cloak
Mori cloaks are made of fine flax fibre and patterned with black, red and white
triangles, diamonds and other geometric shapes.[288] Greenstone was
fashioned into earrings and necklaces, with the most well-known design being
the hei-tiki, a distorted human figure sitting cross-legged with its head tilted to
the side.[289] Europeans brought English fashion etiquette to New Zealand,
and until the 1950s most people dressed up for social occasions.[290]
Standards have since relaxed and New Zealand fashion has received a
reputation for being casual, practical and lacklustre.[291][292] However, the
local fashion industry has grown significantly since 2000, doubling exports and
increasing from a handful to about 50 established labels, with some labels
gaining international recognition.[292]

Literature
Main article: New Zealand literature
Mori quickly adopted writing as a means of sharing ideas, and many of their
oral stories and poems were converted to the written form.[293] Most early
English literature was obtained from Britain and it was not until the 1950s when
local publishing outlets increased that New Zealand literature started to
become widely known.[294] Although still largely influenced by global trends
(modernism) and events (the Great Depression), writers in the 1930s began to
develop stories increasingly focused on their experiences in New Zealand.
During this period literature changed from a journalistic activity to a more
academic pursuit.[295] Participation in the world wars gave some New Zealand
writers a new perspective on New Zealand culture and with the post-war
expansion of universities local literature flourished.[296] Dunedin is a UNESCO
City of Literature.[297]

Media and entertainment

Main articles: Music of New Zealand, Cinema of New Zealand and Media of New
Zealand

Bungee jumping in the popular resort town of Queenstown.

New Zealand music has been influenced by blues, jazz, country, rock and roll
and hip hop, with many of these genres given a unique New Zealand
interpretation.[298] Mori developed traditional chants and songs from their
ancient South-East Asian origins, and after centuries of isolation created a
unique "monotonous" and "doleful" sound.[299] Flutes and trumpets were used
as musical instruments[300] or as signalling devices during war or special
occasions.[301] Early settlers brought over their ethnic music, with brass bands
and choral music being popular, and musicians began touring New Zealand in
the 1860s.[302][303] Pipe bands became widespread during the early 20th
century.[304] The New Zealand recording industry began to develop from 1940
onwards and many New Zealand musicians have obtained success in Britain
and the USA.[298] Some artists release Mori language songs and the Mori
tradition-based art of kapa haka (song and dance) has made a resurgence.
[305] The New Zealand Music Awards are held annually by Recorded Music NZ;
the awards were first held in 1965 by Reckitt & Colman as the Loxene Golden
Disc awards.[306] Recorded Music NZ also publishes the country's official
weekly record charts.[307]

Radio first arrived in New Zealand in 1922 and television in 1960.[308] The
number of New Zealand films significantly increased during the 1970s.[309] In
1978 the New Zealand Film Commission started assisting local film-makers and
many films attained a world audience, some receiving international
acknowledgement. The highest grossing New Zealand movies[310] include:
Boy, The World's Fastest Indian, Once Were Warriors, and Whale Rider.
Deregulation in the 1980s saw a sudden increase in the numbers of radio and
television stations.[309] New Zealand television primarily broadcasts American
and British programming, along with a large number of Australian and local
shows. The country's diverse scenery and compact size, plus government
incentives,[311] have encouraged some producers to film big budget movies in
New Zealand.[312] The New Zealand media industry is dominated by a small
number of companies, most of which are foreign-owned, although the state
retains ownership of some television and radio stations. Between 2003 and
2008, Reporters Without Borders consistently ranked New Zealand's press

freedom in the top twenty.[313] As of 2011, New Zealand was ranked 13th
worldwide in press freedom by Freedom House, with the 2nd freest media in
the Asia-Pacific region after Palau.[314]

Sports
Main article: Sport in New Zealand

A haka performed by the New Zealand national rugby league team before a
game. A haka is a war cry by the Maori people with vigorous movements and
stamping of the feet.
Most of the major sporting codes played in New Zealand have British origins.
[315] Rugby union is considered the national sport[316] and attracts the most
spectators.[317] Golf, netball, tennis and cricket have the highest rates of adult
participation, while netball, rugby union and football (soccer) is popular among
young people.[317][318] Around 54 percent of New Zealand adolescents
participate in sports for their school.[318] Victorious rugby tours to Australia
and the United Kingdom in the late 1880s and the early 1900s played an early
role in instilling a national identity.[319] Horseracing was also a popular
spectator sport and became part of the "Rugby, Racing and Beer" culture
during the 1960s.[320] Mori participation in European sports was particularly
evident in rugby and the country's team performs a haka, a traditional Mori
challenge, before international matches.[321]

New Zealand has competitive international teams in rugby union, netball,

cricket, rugby league, and softball and has traditionally done well in triathlons,
rowing, yachting and cycling. New Zealand participated at the Summer
Olympics in 1908 and 1912 as a joint team with Australia, before first
participating on its own in 1920. The country has ranked highly on a medals-topopulation ratio at recent Games.[317][322][323] The All Blacks, the national
men's rugby union team, are the most successful in the history of international
rugby[324] and the reigning World Cup champions.[325] New Zealand is known
for its extreme sports, adventure tourism[326] and strong mountaineering
tradition.[327] Other outdoor pursuits such as cycling, fishing, swimming,
running, tramping, canoeing, hunting, snowsports and surfing are also popular.
[328] The Polynesian sport of waka ama racing has increased in popularity and
is now an international sport involving teams from all over the Pacific.[329]

See alsoZena Abbott

De Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre
Zena Abbott
Nacido

Zena Elva Mara Andrews

21 de abril 1922 en Auckland , Nueva Zelanda

Muri 06 de noviembre 1993 (71 aos) de Auckland, Nueva Zelanda
Conocido por

Weaving, enseanza

Zena Elva Mara Abbott (ne Andrews , abril 21, 1922 a noviembre 6, 1993) era
un tejedor de Nueva Zelanda. [ 1 ]

Primeros aos e introduccin a tejer [ editar ]

Abbott naci en Auckland en 1922. [ 2 ] Al crecer en poca de la Depresin de
Nueva Zelanda, Abbott dej la escuela a la edad de trece aos para convertirse
en una modista, y fue redactado posteriormente en el trabajo esencial durante
la Segunda Guerra Mundial. [ 3 ] Durante el 1950, ella viaj alrededor de Nueva
Zelanda, que vive en una caravana y trabajando como instructor de la mquina
de coser. [ 3 ]

Abbott estudi primero tejiendo con tejedora de origen alemn Ilse von
Randow en la Galera de Arte de la ciudad de Auckland . [ 4 ] Abbott adquiri su
propio telar y comenz a experimentar con la lana sin hilar y tintes naturales y
fibras. [ 3 ]

Carrera como un tejedor [ editar ]

En 1959, su obra se muestra en la Galera de Arte de Auckland City en una
Exposicin de Nueva Zelanda Craft Trabajo , junto a artistas como Doreen
Blumhardt , Barry Brickell , Castillo de Len , Helen Mason , Patricia Charlotte
Perrin y Mirek Smek . [ 5 ]

En su trabajo Abbott utiliza tintes naturales y artificiales, y los materiales que

van desde la seda arte y fibras de lino para alkathene tuberas y cintas de
alarma antirrobo. [ 4 ] A partir de finales de 1950 Abbott se interes en la

'ampliacin de los lmites tradicionales de tejer en construcciones

tridimensionales . [ 4 ] En 1986 su trabajo fue presentado en Elizabeth
Eastmond y Merimeri Penfold s libro " Las mujeres y las artes en Nueva Zelanda
- Cuarenta Works: 1936-1986 : el trabajo de los autores optaron por reproducir
era Rollos (1980), un gran pieza escultrica formada por un trptico de tapices y
dos grandes rollos tejidas colocadas en el suelo, que se anima a los
espectadores a desenrollar para revelar el texto tejida 'De plantas espinosas la
fibra oculto ", que hace referencia el sisal derivados de plantas de cactus que
era una de sus materias favoritas. [ 4 ]

En 1958 Abbott abri el primer estudio handweaving profesional de Nueva

Zelanda, en el blocao Bay , Auckland. [ 4 ] Desde el estudio corri una
operacin comercial, la enseanza a pequea escala y el empleo de varias
mujeres y vender su trabajo a travs de tiendas de artesana y galeras de toda
Nueva Zelanda. [ 4 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] Abbott export su trabajo a Australia, y exhibi
en Australia, Inglaterra, Canad y los Estados Unidos. [ 4 ]

En 1968, Abbott fue uno de los miembros fundadores de Brown Molino

Mercado, primera cooperativa artesanal de Nueva Zelanda, que se encuentra
en un antiguo molino de harina en Durham Lane, Auckland. [ 8 ]

Referencias [ editar ]
Salta hacia arriba ^

Zena Abbott
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Zena Abbott
Born

Zena Elva Mary Andrews

21 April 1922
Auckland, New Zealand

Died

6 November 1993 (aged 71)

Auckland, New Zealand

Known for

Weaving, teaching

Zena Elva Mary Abbott (ne Andrews, 21 April 1922 6 November 1993) was a New
Zealand weaver.[1]

Early life and introduction to weaving[edit]

Abbott was born in Auckland in 1922.[2] Growing up in Depression-era New Zealand, Abbott left
school at the age of thirteen to become a dressmaker, and was subsequently drafted into
essential work during World War Two.[3] During the 1950s, she travelled around New Zealand,
living in a caravan and working as a sewing machine instructor.[3]
Abbott first studied weaving with German-born weaver Ilse von Randow at the Auckland City
Art Gallery.[4] Abbott acquired her own loom and began experimenting with unspun wool and
natural dyes and fibres.[3]

Career as a weaver[edit]
In 1959, her work was shown in the Auckland City Art Gallery in An Exhibition of New Zealand
Craft Work, alongside artists such as Doreen Blumhardt, Barry Brickell, Len Castle, Helen
Mason, Patricia Charlotte Perrin and Mirek Smek.[5]
In her work Abbott used natural and artificial dyes, and materials ranging from art silk and flax
fibre to alkathene piping and burglar alarm tape.[4] From the late 1950s Abbott became
interested in 'extending the traditional boundaries of weaving into three-dimensional
constructions'.[4] In 1986 her work was featured in Elizabeth Eastmond and Merimeri Penfold's
book Women and the arts in New Zealand - Forty Works: 1936-86: the work the authors chose
to reproduce was Scrolls (1980), a large sculptural piece made up of a triptych of wall hangings
and two large woven scrolls placed on the floor, which viewers were encouraged to unroll to
reveal the woven text 'From thorny plants the hidden fibre', which referenced the sisal derived
from cactus plants which was one of her favourite materials.[4]
In 1958 Abbott opened New Zealand's first professional handweaving studio, in Blockhouse
Bay, Auckland.[4] From the studio she ran a small-scale commercial operation, teaching and
employing several women and selling her work through craft shops and galleries throughout
New Zealand.[4][6][7] Abbott exported her work to Australia, and exhibited in Australia, England,
Canada and the United States.[4]
In 1968, Abbott was one of the founding members of Brown's Mill Market, New Zealands first
craft co-operative, located in an old flour mill in Durham Lane, Auckland. [

George Baloghy
De Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

George Baloghy
George Baloghy.jpg
George Baloghy en una exposicin en 2009
Nacido

Baloghy Gyrgy

20 de abril 1950 (65 aos)

Budapest , Hungra
Nacionalidad

Hungra , Nueva Zelanda

Conocido por

Pintor

Movimiento Realismo
Premios
Art Award Tokoroa (1980) del Consejo QE2 Arts Studio subvencin
(1982) QE2 Artes Viajes Consejo de Grant (1985)

George Baloghy (20 de abril 1950) es un destacado artista de Nueva Zelanda.

Es un pintor, prefiriendo pintar con leo sobre lienzo.

Naci en 1950 en Budapest , Hungra y emigr a Nueva Zelanda en 1956 como

refugiado. Fue educado en la universidad de San Pedro, de Auckland y en la
Universidad de Auckland , donde se gradu de Licenciado en Bellas Artes por la
Escuela Elam de Bellas Artes en 1977. Ha tenido 27 principales exposiciones
individuales en Nueva Zelanda y Australia, que comienza en 1978.

El estilo de Baloghy puede ser llamado un tipo particular de realismo, donde los
elementos principales se alteran y cambian de lugar para el efecto dramtico.
Algunas de estas pinturas estn cerca de la ficcin, sin embargo, intentan
narrar una mayor verdad del sentimiento de lugar. El realismo representado ha
sido descrito por John Daly-Pueblos de ser ms como pinturas de modelos de
paisaje. Bordes y colores aumentados producen una nitidez de detalle y un
ambiente que es a la vez familiar, an dbilmente aliengena. Muchas de sus
obras contienen referencias a otros pintores y pinturas.

Baloghy vive y trabaja en Auckland y Hahei Beach en la pennsula de

Coromandel. Muchos de los temas de sus pinturas se encuentran en esos

lugares. En 2007 complet una importante serie de pinturas de Wellington

temas.

La luz del atardecer

Una imagen del Picasso en Auckland-series

Baloghy se centr en piezas icnicas de arte de Nueva Zelanda, produciendo
interpretaciones pardicas de firma pinturas regionales de Nueva Zelanda
como Robin Blanco Mangaweka 's y de Christopher Perkin 1931 pintura
Taranaki. En la pintura de estas obras Baloghy ha estudiado ntimamente las
tcnicas de la pintura de varios artistas de Nueva Zelanda importantes como
Colin McCahon , Don Binney , [ 1 ] Rita Angus y Bill Hammond y replicado con
l mismo (y su coche), ubicado en sus obras. Algunos de los artistas parodiado
su vez han sido estudiantes de Baloghy. [ 2 ]

En un retorno a sus races Auckland, obras ms recientes de Baloghy han

narrado las reas de la ciudad de Auckland durante los ltimos cien aos,
destacando el ms mnimo de los detalles, de la espectacular a lo mundano, y,
a menudo colocando edificios anacrnicas clsicos, objetos o escenas o copias
de pinturas de otros artistas en los lugares de Auckland. [ 3 ]

Referencias [ editar ]

Salta hacia arriba ^George

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

George Baloghy

Baloghy

George Baloghy in an exhibition in 2009

Born

Baloghy Gyrgy
April 20, 1950 (age 65)
Budapest, Hungary

Nationality

Hungarian, New Zealander

Known for

Painter

Movement

Realism

Awards

Tokoroa Art Award (1980)

QE2 Arts Council Studio Grant(1982)
QE2 Arts Council Travel Grant(1985)

George Baloghy (20 April 1950) is a prominent New Zealand artist. He is a painter, preferring
to paint with oil on canvas.
He was born in 1950 in Budapest, Hungary and emigrated to New Zealand in 1956 as a
refugee. He was educated at St Peter's College, Auckland and at the University of
Auckland from which he graduated Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Elam School of Fine Arts in
1977. He has had 27 major solo exhibitions in New Zealand and Australia, commencing in
1978.

Baloghy's style can be called a particular kind of realism, where major elements are altered
and shifted around for dramatic effect. Some of these paintings are close to fiction, yet attempt
to narrate a greater truth of the feeling of place. The realism depicted has been described
by John Daly-Peoples as being more like paintings of models of the landscape. Heightened
edges and colours produce a sharpness of detail and an atmosphere that is at once familiar,
yet faintly alien. Many of his works contain references to other painters and paintings.
Baloghy lives and works in Auckland and Hahei Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula. Many of
the subjects of his paintings are in those places. In 2007 he completed a major series of
paintings of Wellington subjects.

Evening light

A Picture from the Picasso in Auckland-series

Baloghy then focused on iconic pieces of New Zealand art, producing parodic interpretations of
signature New Zealand regional paintings such as Robin White's Mangaweka and Christopher
Perkin's 1931 painting Taranaki. In painting these works Baloghy has intimately studied the
painting techniques of several important New Zealand artists such as Colin McCahon, Don
Binney,[1] Rita Angus and Bill Hammond and replicated it with himself (and his car) located in
their works. Some of the artists parodied have themselves been students of Baloghy.[2]
In a return to his Auckland roots, Baloghy's most recent works have chronicled areas of
Auckland City over the past one hundred years, highlighting the minutest of details, from the
spectacular to the mundane, and often placing anachronistic classical buildings, objects or
scenes or copies of other artists' paintings in the Auckland locations.[3]

References[edit]
1.

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