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Country name:
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conventional long form:
Commonwealth of The Bahamas
conventional short form: The Bahamas |
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Government type:
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constitutional parliamentary
democracy |
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Capital:
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Nassau
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Administrative divisions:
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21 districts; Acklins and
Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek,
Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua,
Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence,
Nichollstown and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San
Salvador and Rum Cay |
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Independence:
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10 July 1973 (from UK)
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 10 July
(1973) |
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Constitution:
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10 July 1973
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Legal system:
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based on English common law
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: Queen
ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Ivy
DUMONT (since NA May 2002)
head of government: Prime Minister Perry CHRISTIE (since 3 May 2002)
and Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia PRATT (since 7 May 2002)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime
minister's recommendation
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general
appointed by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed
by the governor general |
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Legislative branch:
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bicameral Parliament consists
of the Senate (16-member body appointed by the governor general upon the
advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader for five-year terms)
and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote
to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 1 May 2002 (next to be held by May 2007)
election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 50.8%, FNM 41.1%,
independents 5.2%; seats by party - PLP 29, FNM 7, independents 4 |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court; Court of
Appeal; magistrates courts |
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Political parties and leaders:
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Free National Movement or FNM
[leader-designate Tommy TURNQUEST]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry
CHRISTIE] |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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NA
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International organization participation:
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ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission:
Ambassador Joshua SEARS
consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668
telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660
chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission:
Ambassador J. Richard BLANKENSHIP
embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau
mailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197,
Nassau; stateside address: American Embassy Nassau, P. O. Box 599009, Miami,
FL 33159-9009; pouch address: Nassau, Department of State, Washington, DC
20521-3370
telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206
FAX: [1] (242) 356-0222 |
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Flag description:
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three equal horizontal bands
of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle
based on the hoist side |
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