Belize straddles the two regions of the Caribbean and Central America, both physically and politically. It shares boundaries on the north with Mexico and on the west and south with Guatemala. To the east lies the renowned Caribbean Sea, with access to the world’s second largest barrier reef and a huge number of stunning offshore islands, or cays as they are known here. The country’s vast wealth of rainforest, marine reserves, wildlife, and impressive archaeological sites have contributed to Belize’s emergence as a premier destination for the discerning traveller and investor.

Like its people and natural resources, the economy of Belize is a diverse blend, which includes tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and production. The wide availability of a bilingual workforce has contributed to a burgeoning services sector through business processing outsourcing centers.

Belize’s government is based on the British parliamentary system. The 1981 Constitution of Belize provides for a Bicameral National Assembly composed of an elected House of Representatives and an appointed Senate. Members of the House and the Senate both serve five-year terms.

The Belize legal system is modelled on English common law. A chief justice heads the Supreme Court, but the Court of Appeal is the country’s highest court; both are independent of the legislature.

In 2009, a constitutional amendment was introduced in the Legislature of Belize providing for its accession to the appellate jurisdiction of the CCJ with effect from June 1, 2010. The Caribbean Court of Justice Act No 5 of 2010 sets out the guidelines and procedures of the Court as it pertains to being the final court of appeal for Belize.