978-1-4222-3285-9

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A History Different from the Rest of Central America

The Government of Belize Belize’s government is a parliamentary democracy. Officially, the head of state is Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. She is represented in Belize by Governor General Sir Colville Young (since November 17, 1993). The head of Belize’s government is Prime Minister Dean Barrow, who took office on February 8, 2008. Government heads are not elected. The monarchy is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; and the governor general appoints the prime minister from the House of Representatives. This is usu- ally the leader of the majority party. Currently, Barrow’s United Democratic Party (UDP) holds a majority in the National Assembly. The UDP’s main rival is the People’s United Party (PUP). The National Assembly consists of two houses: the Senate (twelve members, six appointed on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one by the governor general; members are appointed for five-year terms); and the House of Representatives (31 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms). Belize has a Supreme Court; the chief justice is appointed by the gover- nor general, with the advice of the prime minister.

TEXT-DEPENDENT QUESTIONS 1. How many Amerindians lived in Belize at the peak of the Mayan civilization? 2. In what year did Belize gain full independence from the United Kingdom?