<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: The Bahamas<nl>Government</hdr><body>
<list>
<item><hi format=bold>Names:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional long form:</hi> Commonwealth of The Bahamas
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional short form:</hi> The Bahamas
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Digraph:</hi> BF
<item><hi format=bold>Type:</hi> commonwealth
<item><hi format=bold>Capital:</hi> Nassau
<item><hi format=bold>Administrative divisions:</hi> 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
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 10 July 1973 (from UK)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> National Day, 10 July (1973)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> 10 July 1973
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> based on English common law
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 18 years of age; universal
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Clifford DARLING (since 2 January 1992)
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister Hubert A. INGRAHAM (since 19 August 1992); Deputy Prime Minister Orville A. TURNQUEST (since 19 August 1992)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Cabinet; appointed by the governor on the prime minister's recommendation
<item><hi format=bold>Senate:</hi> a 16-member body appointed by the governor general
<item><hi format=bold>House of Assembly:</hi> elections last held 19 August 1992 (next to be held by August 1997); results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(49 total) FNM 32, PLP 17
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), Sir Lynden O. PINDLING; Free National Movement (FNM), Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM;
<item>• <hi format=ital>mailing address:</hi> P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau
<item>• <hi format=ital>telephone:</hi> (809) 322-1181 or 328-2206
<item>• <hi format=ital>FAX:</hi> (809) 328-7838
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side