02 (next
to be held by March 2007) election results: percent of vote by party -
PLP 50.8%, FNM 41.1%, independents 5.2%; seats by party - PLP 29, FNM 7,
independents 4

Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; magistrates courts

Political parties and leaders: Free National Movement or FNM
[leader-designate Tommy TURNQUEST]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP
[Perry CHRISTIE]

Political pressure groups and leaders: NA

International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joshua
SEARS consulate(s) general: Miami and
[1] (202) 319-2660 chancery:
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
J. Richard BLANKENSHIP embassy: Queen Street, Nassau mailing address:
local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; stateside
address: American Embassy Nassau, P. O. Box 599009, Miami, FL 33159-9009;
pouch address: Nassau, Department of State,
[1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 FAX:
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold,
and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side

Economy Bahamas, The

Economy - overview: The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with
an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism
alone accounts for more than 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly
employs almost half of the archipelago's labor force. Steady growth in
tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and
residences have led to solid GDP growth in recent years. Manufacturing
and agriculture together contribute approximately a tenth of GDP
and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those
sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on
the fortunes of the tourism sector, which depends on growth in the US,
the source of the majority of tourist visitors.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $5 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 3.5% (2001)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $16,800 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 7% services: 90%
(1999 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percent