Geography Quiz Arcade

Capital of Belize: Belmopan — Facts & 5-Question Quiz

The capital of Belize is Belmopan. Belize sits in North America, has a population of 405,272, and uses the BZD. Official languages include English.

Quick facts

  • Capital: Belmopan
  • Continent: North America
  • Population: ~405,272
  • Area: 22,966 km²
  • Population density: 17.6 people per km²
  • Official language: English
  • Currency: BZD
  • ISO code: BZ

How big is Belize?

By population, Belize ranks 173rd in the world, holding roughly well under a hundredth of a percent of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 148th.

Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Belize has 17.6 people per square kilometre, which is about 3.4 times below the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.

Within North America, Belize is the 16th most populous country of 23.

Countries of a similar size

The two countries closest to Belize in population are Bahamas (409,984) and Iceland (372,899).

By land area, its closest counterparts are Djibouti (23,200 km²) and El Salvador (21,041 km²).

Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.

Language and currency

English is spoken officially in 58 countries in this dataset, including Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados and Botswana, and 52 others.

Belize uses the BZD, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.

How to remember Belize

Belmopan was built 80 km inland after Hurricane Hattie nearly destroyed the old capital, the port of Belize City, in 1961. Think 'Bel' for Belize: the capital starts the same way. For the flag, look for two workers standing in front of a mahogany tree.

The flag of Belize: royal blue, red and white, with the coat of arms

🇧🇿 The flag is a royal blue flag with a narrow red stripe along the top and bottom edges and the coat of arms on a large white disc in the centre. The coat of arms shows two workers and a mahogany tree, ringed by 50 mahogany leaves, with the motto 'Sub Umbra Floreo' (Under the shade I flourish). They refer to the logging industry that led the British to settle Belize.

Region and neighbours

Belize is a small country on the Caribbean coast of Central America, between Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. It shares land borders with 2 countries: Mexico and Guatemala.

Three facts about Belize

  1. The Belize Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second-largest barrier reef in the world, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
  2. English is the official language of Belize, the only Central American country where this is the case.
  3. The government moved from Belize City to Belmopan in 1970.

Sources: Wikipedia: Belize, Wikipedia: Flag of Belize, Wikipedia: Belmopan, CIA World Factbook.

Quiz yourself on Belize

Belize capital quiz

  1. What is the capital of Belize 🇧🇿?

    • Roseau
    • Basseterre
    • Guatemala City
    • Belmopan
    Show answer

    Belmopan

  2. What is the capital of Bahamas 🇧🇸?

    • Nassau
    • Tegucigalpa
    • Managua
    • Kingstown
    Show answer

    Nassau

  3. What is the capital of Barbados 🇧🇧?

    • San José
    • Bridgetown
    • San Salvador
    • Nassau
    Show answer

    Bridgetown

  4. What is the capital of Saint Lucia 🇱🇨?

    • Ottawa
    • Port of Spain
    • Castries
    • Basseterre
    Show answer

    Castries

  5. What is the capital of Grenada 🇬🇩?

    • Port-au-Prince
    • Havana
    • Saint George's
    • Port of Spain
    Show answer

    Saint George's

Belize in North America

The largest countries by population sharing this continent are United States, Mexico, Canada and Guatemala.

If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — North America is the block Belize belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.

Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Belize.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Belize?

The capital of Belize is Belmopan.

What is the population of Belize?

About 405,272, making it the 173rd most populous country in the world.

How big is Belize?

22,966 square kilometres, ranking 148th by land area, at a density of 17.6 people per square kilometre.

What currency does Belize use?

The BZD, which no other country uses.

What are the colours of the Belize flag?

The flag of Belize is a royal blue flag with a narrow red stripe along the top and bottom edges and the coat of arms on a large white disc in the centre. The coat of arms shows two workers and a mahogany tree, ringed by 50 mahogany leaves, with the motto 'Sub Umbra Floreo' (Under the shade I flourish). They refer to the logging industry that led the British to settle Belize.

Which countries border Belize?

Belize shares land borders with Mexico and Guatemala.

How can I remember the capital of Belize?

Belmopan was built 80 km inland after Hurricane Hattie nearly destroyed the old capital, the port of Belize City, in 1961. Think 'Bel' for Belize: the capital starts the same way. For the flag, look for two workers standing in front of a mahogany tree.

More capitals to learn

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