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Country Name

Conventional long form: none

Conventional short form: Barbados

Administrative Divisions

the city of Bridgetown may be given parish status

Independence

30 November 1966 (from UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 30 November (1966)

Constitution

30 November 1966

Legal System

English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts

International Law Organization Participation

Citizenship

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive Branch

Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS (since 1 June 1996)

Head of government: Prime Minister Owen Seymour ARTHUR (since 6 September 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Billie MILLER (since 6 September 1994)

Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; prime minister appointed by the governor general

Legislative Branch

Elections: House of Assembly - last held 20 January 1999 (next to be held by January 2004)

Election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - BLP 26, DLP 2

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Service)

Political Parties and Leaders

Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Owen ARTHUR]; Democratic Labor Party or DLP [David THOMPSON]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Richard HAYNES]

Political Pressure Groups and Leaders

Barbados Workers Union [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor Union [David COMMISSIONG]; People's Progressive Movement [Eric SEALY]; Worker's Party of Barbados [Dr. George BELLE]

Flag Description

Three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)

National Anthem

Year	2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Government Type

Parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth

Data Code

Capital

Bridgetown

Diplomatic Representation in the US

Chief Of Mission
Ambassador Courtney N. BLACKMAN
Chancery
2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone
[1] (202) 939-9200
Consulate(s) General
Miami and New York
Consulate(s)
Los Angeles

Diplomatic Representation from the US

Chief Of Mission
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d' Affairs Roland BULLEN
Embassy
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street, Bridgetown
Mailing Address
P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown; FPO AA 34055
Telephone
[1] (246) 436-4950
FAX
[1] (246) 429-5246

International Organization Participation

ACP
C
Caricom
CDB
ECLAC
FAO
G-77
IADB
IBRD
ICAO
ICFTU
ICRM
IFAD
IFC
IFRCS
ILO
IMF
IMO
Intelsat

Interpol
IOC
ISO (correspondent)
ITU
LAES
NAM
OAS
OPANAL
UN
UNCTAD
UNESCO
UNIDO
UPU
WFTU
WHO
WIPO
WMO
WTrO

Barbados