<item><hi format=bold>Administrative divisions:</hi> 11 quarters; Anse La Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux Fort
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 22 February 1979 (from UK)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 22 February (1979)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> 22 February 1979
<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> Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Stanislaus Anthony JAMES (since 10 October 1988)
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister John George Melvin COMPTON (since 3 May 1982); Vice President George MALLET (since NA)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime minister
<item><hi format=bold>Senate:</hi> consists of an 11-member body, 6 appointed on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 2 after consultation with religious, economic, and social groups
<item><hi format=bold>House of Assembly:</hi> elections last held 27 April 1992 (next to be held by April 1997); results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(17 total) UWP 11, SLP 6
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> United Workers' Party (UWP), John COMPTON; Saint Lucia Labor Party (SLP), Julian HUNTE; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), George ODLUM