Short facts about the government of Saint Helena

Country name:

conventional long form:  none conventional short form:  Saint Helena

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK

Government type:

NA

Capital:

Jamestown

Administrative divisions:

1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Ascension*, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha*

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)

Constitution:

1 January 1989

Legal system:

NA

Suffrage:

NA years of age

Executive branch:

chief of state:  Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government:  Governor and Commander in Chief David HOLLAMBY (since NA June 1999) cabinet:  Executive Council consists of the governor, two ex officio officers, and six elected members of the Legislative Council elections:  none; the monarch is hereditary; governor is appointed by the monarch

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislative Council (15 seats, including the speaker, 3 ex officio and 12 elected members; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections:  last held 9 July 1997 (next to be held NA August 2001) election results:  percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 15

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court; Small Debts Court; Juvenile Court

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

ICFTU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship

Source: World Factbook