3 GeoFroggy

Country Name

Conventional long form: none

Conventional short form: Bermuda

Former: Somers Islands

Administrative Divisions

9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National Holiday

Bermuda Day, 24 May

Constitution

8 June 1968, amended 1989

Legal System

English law

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 Sir John VEREKER (since NA April 2002)

Head of government: Premier Alex SCOTT (since 24 July 2003)

Cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor

Elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor

Legislative Branch

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

Elections: last general election held 24 July 2003 (next to be held NA July 2008)

Election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 51.7%, UBP 48%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts

Political Parties and Leaders

National Liberal Party or NLP [Dessaline WALDRON]; Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Jennifer SMITH]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Chairman Wayne FURBERT]

Political Pressure Groups and Leaders

Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Association or BPSA [leader NA]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]

Flag Description

Red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag

National Anthem

Year

Government Type

  • Parliamentary British overseas territory with internal self-government

Capital

    Hamilton

Diplomatic Representation in the US

    None (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic Representation from the US

  • Chief Of Mission
    Consul General Denis Patrick COLEMAN, Jr.
  • Consulate(s) General
    Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3
  • Mailing Address
    P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300
  • Telephone
    [1] (441) 295-1342
  • FAX
    [1] (441) 295-1592, [1] (441) 296-9233

International Organization Participation

  • Caricom (observer)
  • ICFTU
  • Interpol (subbureau)
  • IOC
  • WCO