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 and a Commonwealth realm
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Capital:
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name: Nassau
geographic coordinates:
25 05 N, 77 21 W
time difference:
UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:
+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
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Administrative divisions:
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31 districts; Acklins Islands, Berry Islands, Bimini, Black Point, Cat Island, Central Abaco, Central Andros, Central Eleuthera, City of Freeport, Crooked Island and Long Cay, East Grand Bahama, Exuma, Grand Cay, Harbour Island, Hope Town, Inagua, Long Island, Mangrove Cay, Mayaguana, Moore's Island, North Abaco, North Andros, North Eleuthera, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, South Abaco, South Andros, South Eleuthera, Spanish Wells, West Grand Bahama
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Independence:
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10 July 1973 (from the 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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common law system based on the English model
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International law organization participation:
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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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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 Sir Arthur A. FOULKES (since 14 April 2010)
head of government:
Prime Minister Perry CHRISTIE (since 8 May 2012)
cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections:
the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
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Legislative branch:
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bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16 seats; members appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader to serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (41 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time
elections:
last held on 7 May 2012 (next to be held by May 2017)
election results:
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLP 29, FNM 9
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Judicial branch:
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Privy Council in London; Courts of Appeal; Supreme (lower) Court; Magistrates' Courts
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Political parties and leaders:
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Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert MINNIS]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Friends of the Environment
other:
trade unions
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International organization participation:
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ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
chancery:
2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 319-2660
FAX:
[1] (202) 319-2668
consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Miami, New York
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d' Affaires John DINKELMAN
embassy:
42 Queen Street, Nassau, New Providence
mailing address:
local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; US Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370
telephone:
[1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours)
FAX:
[1] (242) 328-2206
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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; the band colors represent the golden beaches of the islands surrounded by the aquamarine sea; black represents the vigor and force of a united people, while the pointing triangle indicates the enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop the rich resources of land and sea
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National symbol(s):
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blue marlin; flamingo
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National anthem:
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name: "March On, Bahamaland!"
lyrics/music:
Timothy GIBSON
note:
adopted 1973; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)
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