er 1981 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Constitution:
21 September 1981
Legal system:
English law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (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 1993)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice from the prime
minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly
Senate:
consists of an 8-member body, 5 are appointed on the advice of the
prime minister, 2 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1
after consultation with the Belize Advisory Council
National Assembly:
elections last held 30 June 1993 (next to be held June 1998); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (28 total) PUP 13 UDP 15
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
People's United Party (PUP), George PRICE, Florencio MARIN, Said MUSA;
United Democratic Party (UDP), Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean LINDO, Dean
BARROW; National Alliance for Belizean Rights, Philip GOLDSON
Other political or pressure groups:
Society for the Promotion of Education and Research (SPEAR), Assad
SHOMAN; United Workers Front, leader NA
Member of:
ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL,
IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Dean LINDO
chancery:
2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 332-9636
FAX:
(202) 332-6888
consulate(s) general:
Miami
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Eugene L. SCASSA
embassy:
Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City
mailing address:
P. O. Box 286, Belize City
telephone:
[501] (2) 77161 through 77163
FAX:
[501] (2) 30802
Flag:
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