<item><hi format=bold>Administrative divisions:</hi> 10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 3 November 1978 (from UK)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> 3 November 1978
<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>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO (since 25 October 1993) election last held 4 October 1993 (next to be held NA October 1998); results—President Crispin Anselm SORHAINDO was elected by the House of Assembly to a five year term
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister (Mary) Eugenia CHARLES (since 21 July 1980, elected for a third term 28 May 1990)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Cabinet; appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
<item><hi format=bold>House of Assembly:</hi> elections last held 28 May 1990 (next to be held May 1995); results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(30 total; 9 appointed senators and 21 elected representatives) DFP 11, UWP 6, DLP 4
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> Dominica Freedom Party (DFP), Brian ALLEYNE; Dominica Labor Party (DLP), Rosie DOUGLAS; United Workers Party (UWP), Edison JAMES
<item><hi format=bold>Other political or pressure groups:</hi> Dominica Liberation Movement (DLM), a small leftist group
<item><hi format=bold>Diplomatic representation in US:</hi> Dominica has no chancery in the US
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<item>• <hi format=ital>consulate(s) general:</hi> New York
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<item><hi format=bold>US diplomatic representation:</hi> no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown (Barbados), but travels frequently to Dominica
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> green with a centered cross of three equal bands—the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white—the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)