Country name:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Capital:
name: Nassau
Government type:
constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Independence:
10 July 1973 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 10 July (1973)
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)
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
Description of Executive Branch:
In the executive branch of the Bahamas the cabinet is appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation. When having 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 leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister.
Description of Legislative Branch:
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-years terms) and the House of Assembly (38 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time.
Description of Judicial Branch:
The Bahamas court of Appeal consists of the court president and 4 justices, sitting in panels of 3 justices. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London serves as the final court of appeal for the Bahamas. Court of Appeal justices appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister and in consultation with the judicial and Legal Services Commission; justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 68-70 . Supreme Court; Industrial Tribunal; Stipendiary and Magistrates Courts; Family Island Administrators.
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Their Ambassador to the U.S.:
Ambassador (vacant)
Location of their embassy in the U.S.:
2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Miami, New York
U.S. Ambassador to them:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d' Affaires John DINKELMAN (since November 2011)
U.S. embassy:
42 Queen Street, Nassau, New Providence
U.S. Consulate:
No U.S. consulate located in the Bahamas
Representative to UN:
Elliston Rahming
conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Capital:
name: Nassau
Government type:
constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Independence:
10 July 1973 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 10 July (1973)
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)
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
Description of Executive Branch:
In the executive branch of the Bahamas the cabinet is appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation. When having 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 leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister.
Description of Legislative Branch:
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-years terms) and the House of Assembly (38 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time.
Description of Judicial Branch:
The Bahamas court of Appeal consists of the court president and 4 justices, sitting in panels of 3 justices. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London serves as the final court of appeal for the Bahamas. Court of Appeal justices appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister and in consultation with the judicial and Legal Services Commission; justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 68-70 . Supreme Court; Industrial Tribunal; Stipendiary and Magistrates Courts; Family Island Administrators.
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Their Ambassador to the U.S.:
Ambassador (vacant)
Location of their embassy in the U.S.:
2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Miami, New York
U.S. Ambassador to them:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d' Affaires John DINKELMAN (since November 2011)
U.S. embassy:
42 Queen Street, Nassau, New Providence
U.S. Consulate:
No U.S. consulate located in the Bahamas
Representative to UN:
Elliston Rahming
Flag description:
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
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