Government of Belize

source: CIA World Fact Book 1997

• conventional long form: none
• conventional short form: Belize
• former: British Honduras

Data code: BH

Government type: parliamentary democracy

National capital: Belmopan

Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo

Independence: 21 September 1981 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1981)

Legal system: English law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

• chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November 1993)
• head of government : Prime Minister Manuel ESQUIVEL (since July 1993); Deputy Prime Minister Dean BARROW (since NA July 1993)
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
• elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general appointed by the queen; prime minister appointed by the governor general

• bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (8 members; members are appointed for five-year terms, five on the advice of the prime minister, two on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one after consultation with the Belize Advisory Council - this council serves as an independent body to advise the governor general with respect to difficult decisions such as granting pardons, commutations, stays of execution, the removal of justices of appeal who appear to be incompetent, etc.) and the National Assembly (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)
• elections: National Assembly - last held 30 June 1993 (next to be held no later than September 1998)
• election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUP 13, UDP 15, NABR 1

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime minister

Political parties and leaders: People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean BARROW]; National Alliance for Belizean Rights or NABR [Philip GOLDSON]

Political pressure groups and leaders: Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Assad SHOMAN]; United Workers Front

International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO

• chief of mission: Ambassador James S. MURPHY
• chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
• telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636
• FAX : [1] (202) 332-6888
• consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
• consulate(s): New York

• chief of mission: Ambassador George Charles BRUNO
• embassy : Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City
• mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025
• telephone: [501] (2) 77161 through 77163
• FAX: [501] (2) 30802

Flag description: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland