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
Definition: Government > Capital city > Geographic coordinates
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Constitution	adopted 14 February 2002
Definition: Government > Constitution
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Corruption	5.8		[36th of 160]
Definition: Government > Corruption
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address PSC 451, Box 660, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama
Definition: Government > Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address
Source: Transparency International
Executive branch > Cabinet Cabinet appointed by the monarch
Definition: Government > Executive branch > Cabinet
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
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)
Definition: Government > Executive branch > Chief of state
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
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
Definition: Government > Flag description
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Government type	constitutional monarchy
Definition: Government > Government type
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Independence	15 August 1971 (from UK)
Definition: Government > Independence
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Judicial branch	High Civil Appeals Court
Definition: Government > Judicial branch
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Legal system based on Islamic law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Definition: Government > Legal system
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
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)
Definition: Government > Legislative branch
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
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
Definition: Government > National holiday
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Political parties and leaders political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law
Definition: Government > Political parties and leaders
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Political pressure groups and leaders Shia activists; Sunni Islamist legislators
Definition: Government > Political pressure groups and leaders
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Status	pseudo-democracy
Definition: Government > Status
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Suffrage 20 years of age; universal
Definition: Government > Suffrage
Source: electionworld.org
Trademarks, residents	379		[45th of 98]
Definition: Government > Trademarks, residents
Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International	none
Definition: Government > Transnational Issues > Disputes > International
Source: World Development Indicators database

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