The National Parks System Act of 1981 enables Belize to establish and protect national parks, natural monuments, wildlife sanctuaries and nature reserves. Five Blues Lake National Park is located in the Hummingbird Karst region of the Cayo District, Belize. The closest population center is St. Margaret's village. The center of St. Margaret's is four miles from the park entrance gate, at Mile 32 of the Hummingbird Highway and the junction with Lagoon Road. The village boundaries extend for a four mile radius from the designated center.
Agriculture is the predominating economic activity in the region.
Commercial agricultural production dates back to the opening of the Hummingbird Highway in the late 1950's. Cash crop production augmented in the 1960's with the construction of the administrative capital in Belmopan. Major products grown for income generation were citrus and cacao. Current land use consists of citrus estates, mixed farming, milpa and some pasture for cattle. Farms vary in size from family mixed farming, between 5 - 50 acres, to large corporate plantations, up to 700 acres.