Bahamas - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Bahamas, it was name derives from the Spanish "baha mar," meaning "shallow sea," which describes the shallow waters of the Bahama Banks. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 31 districts; Acklins Islands, Berry Islands, Bimini, Black Point, Cat Island, Central Abaco, Central Andros, Central Eleuthera, City of Freeport, Crooked Island and Long Cay, East Grand Bahama, Exuma, Grand Cay, Harbour Island, Hope Town, Inagua, Long Island, Mangrove Cay, Mayaguana, Moore's Island, North Abaco, North Andros, North Eleuthera, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, South Abaco, South Andros, South Eleuthera, Spanish Wells, West Grand Bahama
National symbols
Blue marlin, flamingo, Yellow Elder flower; national colors: aquamarine, yellow, black.
The flag
The National flag of Bahamas has three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; the band colors represent the golden beaches of the islands surrounded by the aquamarine sea; black represents the vigor and force of a united people, while the pointing triangle indicates the enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop the rich resources of land and sea.
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The National Anthem
| Title | "March On, Bahamaland!" |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | Timothy GIBSON |
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note: adopted 1973; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the King" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)
More about the government of Bahamas
| Date of Independence | 10 July 1973 (from the UK) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Independence Day, 10 July (1973) |
| Legal system | common law system based on the English model |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt |
| Constitution | |
| History | Previous 1964 (preindependence); latest adopted 20 June 1973, effective 10 July 1973 |
| Amendments | Proposed as an "Act" by Parliament; passage of amendments to articles such as the organization and composition of the branches of government requires approval by at least two-thirds majority of the membership of both houses of Parliament and majority approval in a referendum; passage of amendments to constitutional articles such as fundamental rights and individual freedoms, the powers, authorities, and procedures of the branches of government, or changes to the Bahamas Independence Act 1973 requires approval by at least three-fourths majority of the membership of both houses and majority approval in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2016 |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | at least one parent must be a citizen of The Bahamas |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 6-9 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Cynthia A. PRATT (since 1 September 2023) |
| Head of government | Prime Minister Philip Edward DAVIS (since 17 September 2021) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet appointed by governor-general on recommendation of prime minister |
| Elections/appointments | the monarchy is hereditary; governor-general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following parliamentary elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is appointed prime minister by the governor-general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister |
| Legislative branch | |
| Description | Bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (16 seats; members appointed by the governor-general - 9 selected on the advice of the prime minister, 4 on the advice of the leader of the opposition party, and 3 on the advice of the prime minister in consultation with the opposition leader; members serve 5-year terms) House of Assembly (39 seats statutory, 38 seats current; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) |
| Elections | Senate - last appointments on 7 October 2021 (next appointments by 31 October 2026) House of Assembly - last held on 16 September 2021 (next to be held by September 2026) |
| Election results | Senate - appointed: PLP 12, FNM 4; composition - men 12, women 4, percentage women 25% House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - PLP 52.5%, FNM 36.2%; seats by party - PLP 32, FNM 7; composition - men 32, women 7, percentage women 18%; total Parliament percentage women 20% |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 6 justices, organized in 3-member panels); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 19 justices) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Court of Appeal president and Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition party; other Court of Appeal and Supreme Court justices appointed by the governor general upon recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, a 5-member body headed by the chief justice; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 68 but can be extended until age 70; Supreme Court justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 65 but can be extended until age 67 |
| Subordinate courts | Industrial Tribunal; Magistrates' Courts; Family Island Administrators (can also serve as magistrates) |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Wendall Kermith JONES (since 19 April 2022) |
| Chancery | 600 New Hampshire Ave NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20037 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 319-2660 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 319-2668 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://www.bahamasembdc.org/ |
| Consulate(s) general | Atlanta, Miami, New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Kimberly FURNISH (since June 2024) |
| Embassy | 42 Queen Street, Nassau |
| Mailing address | 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370 |
| Telephone | [1] (242) 322-1181 |
| FAX | [1] (242) 356-7174 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://bs.usembassy.gov/ |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Bahamas
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Bahamas
Want to know more about Bahamas? Check all different factbooks for Bahamas below.
