<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 21 September 1981 (from UK)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> 21 September 1981
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> English law
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 18 years of age; universal
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November 1993)
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister Manuel ESQUIVEL (since July 1993); Deputy Prime Minister Dean BARROW (since NA 1993)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice from the prime minister
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<item><hi format=bold>Legislative branch:</hi> bicameral National Assembly
<item><hi format=bold>Senate:</hi> consists of an 8-member body, 5 are appointed on the advice of the prime minister, 2 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 after consultation with the Belize Advisory Council
<item><hi format=bold>National Assembly:</hi> elections last held 30 June 1993 (next to be held June 1998); results —percent of vote by party NA; seats—(28 total) PUP 13 UDP 15
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> People's United Party (PUP), George PRICE, Florencio MARIN, Said MUSA; United Democratic Party (UDP), Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean LINDO, Dean BARROW; National Alliance for Belizean Rights, Philip GOLDSON
<item><hi format=bold>Other political or pressure groups:</hi> Society for the Promotion of Education and Research (SPEAR), Assad SHOMAN; United Workers Front, leader NA
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of mission:</hi> Ambassador Eugene L. SCASSA
<item>• <hi format=ital>embassy:</hi> Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City
<item>• <hi format=ital>mailing address:</hi> P. O. Box 286, Belize City
<item>• <hi format=ital>telephone:</hi> [501] (2) 77161 through 77163
<item>• <hi format=ital>FAX:</hi> [501] (2) 30802
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<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland