Middle East > Bahrain > Government

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Administrative divisions 5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	26 14 N, 50 34 E
Constitution	adopted 14 February 2002
Corruption	5.8		[36th of 160]
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address PSC 451, Box 660, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama
Executive branch > Cabinet Cabinet appointed by the monarch
Executive branch > Chief of state King HAMAD bin Isa al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969)
Flag description red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam
Government type	constitutional monarchy
Independence	15 August 1971 (from UK)
Judicial branch	High Civil Appeals Court
Legal system based on Islamic law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch bicameral legislature consists of the Consultative Council (40 members appointed by the King) and the Council of Representatives or Chamber of Deputies (40 seats; members directly elected to serve four-year terms)
National holiday National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection
Political parties and leaders political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law
Political pressure groups and leaders Shia activists; Sunni Islamist legislators
Status	pseudo-democracy
Suffrage 20 years of age; universal
Trademarks, residents	379		[45th of 98]
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International	none

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