History

Both countries submit their initial briefs on their border dispute to International Court of Justice.

Guatemala deploys 3,000 troops along its disputed border with Belize following a shooting incident in which a Guatemalan teenager was killed.

Prime Minister Barrow leads his ruling United Democratic Party to a record third consecutive five-year term in a snap election.

Belize's energy ministry says it is considering plans open up the coast to oil and gas drilling; conservation groups voice concern about the possible impact on the marine environment.

Despite their continuing border dispute, Belize and Guatemala reach an agreement on prohibiting illegal logging.

Belize wins 60-day reprieve from bondholders after paying a portion of its overdue £14.2m debt interest. Ratings agency Standard & Poor's categorises Belize as being in "selective" default, one step below a full default.

Elections. Governing United Democratic Party (UDP) wins another term.

Belize is added to US blacklist of countries considered to be major producers or transit routes for illegal drugs.

Government says it will stop sending appeals cases to British Privy Council starting 1 June.

Dean Barrow becomes prime minister after the United Democratic Party (UDP) wins a landslide election victory.

Organisation of American States (OAS) recommends that border dispute with Guatemala be referred to International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Belize begins commercial exploitation of its oil reserves

Rioting breaks out in the capital during a wave of anti-government protests.

Britain's Privy Council dismisses an appeal to overturn the Belize government's approval of the proposed Chalillo dam. Campaigners say the dam threatens rare species and communities downstream.

Said Musa is elected for a second term as prime minister.

Belize, Guatemala agree on a draft settlement to their long-standing border dispute at talks brokered by the Organisation of American States (OAS). The deal, which proposed referendums in both countries, is rejected by Guatemala in 2003.

Towns flattened, thousands left homeless after Hurricane Iris hits.

Hurricane Keith causes widespread devastation.

Said Musa becomes prime minister after the PUP wins a landslide election victory.

Manuel Esquival becomes prime minister after his UDP defeats PUP in general elections; Britain says it will withdraw troops by 1994 after Guatemala recognises Belize; Esquival suspends agreement reached with Guatemala while Price was premier, claiming it made too many concessions in return for recognition.

Guatemala recognises Belize as a sovereign and independent state.

Manuel Esquival of the centre-right United Democratic Party (UDP) becomes prime minister after defeating Price's PUP in the general elections

Belize becomes independent with George Price as prime minister, but Guatemala refuses to recognise it. About 1,500 British troops remain to defend the country against Guatemalan territorial claims.

The country changes its name from British Honduras to Belize.

Belmopan replaces Belize City as capital.

New constitution gives Belize full autonomy and introduces universal adult suffrage and a two-chamber parliament.

Hurricane Hattie kills more than 260 people

Constitutional reforms give Belize limited autonomy; general elections won by People's United Party (PUP), led by George Price.

Belizean economy hit by Great Depression; Belize City largely destroyed by hurricane.

Mexico renounces claim to Belizean territory.

Belize formally declared a British crown colony and named British Honduras.

Britain and Guatemala sign treaty defining border with Belize.

Several thousand Spanish-speaking refugees settle in northern Belize and Maya communities relocate to the north and west following the Caste War in Yucatan.

Spain tries to remove British settlers from the area by force but fails.

Spain signs treaties granting British subjects the privilege of wood-cutting, but retains sovereignty.

The area of present-day Belize becomes part of Spain's possessions in Central America and the Caribbean; British buccaneers and woodcutters begin to settle around the Belize river.

The Spanish arrive, but fail to convert the indigenous Maya to Christianity.