Yearbook 2004
Belize. Following a decision by the Privy Council in London, the government was allowed to proceed with the construction of the Chalillo hydroelectric plant. In a multi-year campaign, the project has been criticized by NGOs for causing an ecological disaster in the Macald Valley, an area of great biodiversity and several rare tropical animal species. The total population in Belize is 397,639 people in 2020. The government justifies the construction of the dam by reducing Belize’s extreme dependence on electric power from Mexico.
Belize – Belmopan
Belmopan
Belmopan, capital of Belize; 23,000 residents (2019). Belmopan is a new city, located 80 km from the former capital Belize City, and contains mainly the state administration, relocated in 1970.