Belize, officially known as the Republic of Belize, is a small Central American country located on the northeastern coast of the Central American region. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize is known for its diverse culture, lush tropical forests, barrier reef system, and ancient Mayan ruins. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981 and is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy.