Bahamas Government At a Glance
Country name |
Commonwealth of The Bahamas (long form) |
Government type |
Constitutional
parliamentary democracy |
Capital |
Nassau |
Administrative divisions |
21 districts as follows: 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, Nicholls town and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock
Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay |
Independence |
10 July 1973 (from
the United Kingdon) |
Legal system |
Based on English
common law |
Suffrage |
18 years of age to
vote; Universal |
Executive branch |
Head of government:
Hubert INGRAHAM (Prime Minister)
and Theodore "Brent" SYMONETTE (since 4 May 2007)
Nominal chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6
February 1952)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the
prime minister's recommendation (see below) |
Legislative branch |
Bicameral Parliament consists of:
(1) 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)
(2) the House of Assembly (40 seats;
members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) |
| Elections |
last held 2 May 2007
(next to be called by May 2012) |
| Election results |
Percent of vote by party:
FNM 49.86%, PLP 47.02%
Seats by party: FNM 23, PLP 18 |
| Judicial branch |
Supreme Court; Court
of Appeal; Magistrates Courts |
| Political parties |
Free National
Movement or FNM (majority); Progressive Liberal Party or PLP
(minority) |
Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members
| Prime Minister |
Hubert INGRAHAM |
| Deputy Prime Minister |
Theodore "Brent" SYMONETTE |
| Governor General |
Arthur Dion HANNA |
| Minister of Agriculture &
Marine Resources |
Larry CARTWRIGHT |
| Minister of Education, Youth,
Sports, & Culture |
Carl BETHEL |
| Minister of Finance |
Hubert INGRAHAM |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs |
Theodore "Brent" SYMONETTE |
| Minister of Health & Social
Development |
Hubert MINNIS
|
| Minister of Housing & National
Insurance |
Kenneth RUSSELL |
| Minister of Lands & Local
Govt. |
Sidney COLLIE |
| Minister of Legal Affairs |
Claire HEPBURN |
| Minister of Maritime Affairs &
Labor |
Dion FOULKES |
| Minister of National Security
& Immigration |
Orville "Tommy" TURNQUEST |
| Minister of Tourism & Aviation |
Neko GRANT |
| Minister of Works & Transport |
Earl DEVEAUX |
| Attorney General |
Claire HEPBURN |
 According to the Bahamas Tourism office the Islands of the Bahamas is
unique with their individual character and charm--and there is some
truth to this.
Visit the main islands like beautiful
Grand Bahama Island (Freeport/Lucaya) and bustling
New Providence (Nassau and Paradise Island).
Or, if you really want to get away from the crowds, visit one of the many out islands like
Abaco,
Andros,
Acklins and Crooked Island,
Biminis,
Berry Islands,
Cat Island,
Eleuthera,
Exumas,
Inaguas,
Mayaguana, and
San Salvador.
Whether you need information on
alcohol,
camping, and our wonderful climate, or want to know about our
currency, and
education system, our rich
history and
immigration policies. The Bahamas Guide Facts and Figures section should have what you are looking for.
|
Talk, ask questions, and discuss the Bahamas for free on our online
Bahamas Discussion Boards. |
Opportunity to win great vacation prizes. Learn more
about The Bahamas
Guide Sweepstakes! |
Get the inside scoop on the latest deals, breaking news,
and security alerts by signing up for our email newsletter. |
|
