978-1-4222-3285-9

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Careful Land Use Strengthens the Economy

rainy season, some roads, including sections of major highways, are closed. In recent years, the government has spent more than $100 million to improve roads, repair highways, and construct bridges. The government has also conducted campaigns to upgrade health centers and hospitals, and to provide better housing for low-income citizens throughout Belize. Although electricity, telephone, and water utilities are all relatively good, Belize has the most expensive electricity in Central America due to a lack of power plants. More than half of Belize’s total revenue comes from customs duties on imported goods. Ports in Belize City, Dangriga, and Big Creek handle regularly scheduled shipping from the U.S. and Britain, although draft for ships is limited to a maximum of 10 feet in Belize City and 15 feet in southern ports. Some imports also come into the country by air, although the country has only six airports with paved runways. To continue its economic progress, Belize depends on financial aid from other countries. The government also encourages foreign investment to create jobs.

TEXT-DEPENDENT QUESTIONS 1. What foods are grown by Belizean farmers as subsistence crops? 2. Where was a commercially viable oil field discovered in 2005?