<item><hi format=bold>Administrative divisions:</hi> 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 27 October 1979 (from UK)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 27 October (1979)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> 27 October 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 David JACK (since 29 September 1989)
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister James F. MITCHELL (since 30 July 1984); Deputy Prime Minister Allan C. CRUICKSHANK (since NA); note—governor general appoints leader of the majority party to position of prime minister
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
<item><hi format=bold>House of Assembly:</hi> elections last held 21 February 1994 (next to be held NA July 1999); results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(21 total; 15 elected representatives and 6 appointed senators) NDP 10, MNU 2, SVLP 3
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> New Democratic Party (NDP), James (Son) MITCHELL; Saint Vincent Labor Party (SVLP), Stanley JOHN; United People's Movement (UPM), Adrian SAUNDERS; Movement for National Unity (MNU), Ralph GONSALVES; National Reform Party (NRP), Joel MIGUEL
<item><hi format=bold>Diplomatic representation in US:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of mission:</hi> Ambassador Kingsley C.A. LAYNE
<item>• <hi format=ital>chancery:</hi> 1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 102, Washington, DC 20036
<item>• <hi format=ital>telephone:</hi> (202) 462-7806 or 7846
<item>• <hi format=ital>FAX:</hi> (202) 462-7807
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<item><hi format=bold>US diplomatic representation:</hi> no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown (Barbados)
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern