World Factbook
Bahamas
Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the left side meaning: the band colors represent the islands' golden beaches surrounded by the aquamarine sea; black stands for the vigor and force of a united people, and the triangle for the people's enterprise and determination
Capital
name
Nassau
etymology
named after King WILLIAM III of England (1650-1702), who was a member of the House of Orange-Nassau
time difference
UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
geographic coordinates
25 05 N, 77 21 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
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
Constitution
history
previous 1964 (pre-independence); latest adopted 20 June 1973, effective 10 July 1973
amendment process
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
Country name
etymology
name may be derived from the Spanish baha mar , meaning "low sea," which describes the shallow waters of the Bahama Banks; alternatively, it may be a form of the local name Guanahani, which is of unknown origin and meaning
conventional long form
Commonwealth of The Bahamas
conventional short form
The Bahamas
Independence
10 July 1973 (from the UK)
Legal system
common-law system based on the English model
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Judicial branch
note
note: The Bahamas is a member of the 15-member Caribbean Community but is not party to the agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice as its highest appellate court; the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) serves as the final court of appeal for The Bahamas
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)
subordinate courts
Industrial Tribunal; Magistrates' Courts; Family Island Administrators (can also serve as magistrates)
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
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by governor-general on recommendation of prime minister
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)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor-general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the governor-general appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
National holiday
Independence Day, 10 July (1973)
National color(s)
aquamarine, yellow, black
Political parties
Coalition of Independents Party or COI Democratic National Alliance or DNA Free National Movement or FNM Progressive Liberal Party or PLP
Legislative branch
note
note: Parliament sits for 5 years from the date of the last general election: the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time
legislature name
Parliament
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
blue marlin, flamingo, yellow elderflower
National coat of arms
the motto on the Bahamas coat of arms is “Forward, Upward, Onward Together;” the flamingo and marlin supporting the shield are national animals that represent respectively the land and sea; the pink conch shell symbolizes the marine life of the islands, and the green palm fronds represent the natural vegetation; the Santa Maria , Christopher Columbus’s flagship, also appears; the sun signifies the world-famous climate and the bright future of the islands
Administrative divisions
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
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Assembly
term in office
5 years
number of seats
39 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
9/16/2021
expected date of next election
September 2026
percentage of women in chamber
17.9%
parties elected and seats per party
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) (32); Free National Movement (FNM) (7)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate
term in office
5 years
number of seats
16 (all appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
10/6/2021
expected date of next election
October 2026
percentage of women in chamber
31.3%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 319-2668
chancery
600 New Hampshire Ave NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20037
telephone
[1] (202) 319-2660
chief of mission
Ambassador Wendall Kermith JONES (since 19 April 2022)
consulate(s) general
Atlanta, Miami, New York
email address and website
embassy@bahamasembdc.org https://www.bahamasembdc.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[1] (242) 356-7174
embassy
42 Queen Street, Nassau
telephone
[1] (242) 322-1181
mailing address
3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370
chief of mission
Ambassador Herschel WALKER (since 9 December 2025)
email address and website
acsnassau@state.gov https://bs.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt