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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 and 2003

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 11 April 2002)

Head of government: Premier William Alexander SCOTT (since 24 July 2003); Deputy Premier Ewart BROWN

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 up to five-year terms)

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

Progressive Labor Party or PLP [William Alexander SCOTT]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Grant GIBBONS]

Political Pressure Groups and Leaders

Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [Ed BALL]; 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	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 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
Deputy Chief of Mission Antoinette BOECKER
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 (associate)
ICFTU
Interpol (subbureau)
IOC

UPU
WCO
Egmont Group
Caribbean Financial Action Task Force

Bermuda