Government (Belize)
===================


     Long-form name:
         none
     Type:
         parliamentary democracy
     Capital:
         Belmopan
     Administrative divisions:
         6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
     Independence:
         21 September 1981 (from UK; formerly British Honduras)
     Constitution:
         21 September 1981
     Legal system:
         English law
     National holiday:
         Independence Day, 21 September
     Executive branch:
         British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister,
         Cabinet
     Legislative branch:
         bicameral National Assembly consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower
         house or House of Representatives
     Judicial branch:
         Supreme Court
     Leaders:
       Chief of State:
         Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General
         Dame Elmira Minita GORDON (since 21 September 1981)
       Head of Government:
         Prime Minister George Cadle PRICE (since 4 September 1989)
     Political parties and leaders:
         People's United Party (PUP), George PRICE, Florencio MARIN, Said MUSA;
         United Democratic Party (UDP), Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean LINDO, Dean BARROW;
         Belize Popular Party (BPP), Louis SYLVESTRE
     Suffrage:
         universal at age 18
     Elections:
       National Assembly:
         last held 4 September 1989 (next to be held September 1994); results -
         percent of vote by party NA; seats - (28 total) PUP 15, UDP 13; note - in
         January 1990 one member expelled from UDP joined PUP, making the seat count
         PUP 16, UDP 12
     Other political or pressure groups:
         Society for the Promotion of Education and Research (SPEAR) headed by former
         PUP minister; United Workers Front
     Member of:
         ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
         ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAS, UN,
         UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WMO
     Diplomatic representation:
         Ambassador James V. HYDE; Chancery at 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
         Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-9636
       US:
         Ambassador Eugene L. SCASSA; Embassy at Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street,
         Belize City (mailing address is P. O. Box 286, Belize City); telephone [501]
         (2) 77161; FAX [501] (2) 30802
     Flag:
         on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland