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Barbados - Government
Based on the etymology of Barbados, it was the name is the plural of the Spanish word barbado and means "the bearded ones," which could refer either to the beard-like leaves of the island's fig trees or to the beards of Carib inhabitants. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary republic; a Commonwealth realm type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 11 parishes and 1 city*; Bridgetown*, Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas
National symbols
Neptune's trident, pelican, red bird of paradise flower (also known as "Pride of Barbados").
The flag
The National flag of Barbados has no official description available.
The National Anthem
| Title | N/A |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | N/A |
More about the government of Barbados
| Date of Independence | 30 November 1966 (from the UK) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Independence Day, 30 November (1966) |
| Legal system | English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| Constitution | |
| History | Adopted 22 November 1966, effective 30 November 1966; Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2021 establishes Barbados as a republic and revokes the earlier Order in Council |
| Amendment process | Proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments to constitutional sections such as citizenship, fundamental rights and freedoms, and the organization and authorities of the branches of government requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses of Parliament; passage of other amendments only requires a majority vote of both houses |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | yes |
| Citizenship by descent only | yes |
| Dual citizenship recognized | yes |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 5 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President Jeffrey Davidson BOSTIC (since 30 November 2025) |
| Head of government | Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 25 May 2018) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister |
| Election/appointment process | president elected by an electoral college of both Houses of Parliament for a 4-year renewable term; following legislative elections, the president usually appoints the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition as prime minister; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister |
| Most recent election date | 7 October 2025 |
| Election results | Jeffrey Davidson BOSTIC elected as the country's second president |
| Expected date of next election | NA |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | Parlement de Barbade (Parliament of Barbados) |
| Legislative structure | Bicameral |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court (consists of the High Court with 8 justices) and the Court of Appeal (consists of the High Court chief justice and president of the court and 4 justices; Caribbean Court of Justice is the final court of appeal |
| Judge selection and term of office | Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister and opposition leader of Parliament; other justices appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, a 5-member independent body consisting of the Supreme Court chief justice, the commission head, and presidential appointees recommended by the prime minister; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 65 |
| Subordinate courts | Magistrates' Courts |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Victor Anthony FERNANDES (since 18 September 2024) |
| Chancery | 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 939-9200 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 332-7467 |
| Email address and website | washington@foreign.gov.bb https://www.foreign.gov.bb/embassies-high-commissions-and-permanent-missions/ |
| Consulate(s) general | Miami, New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Karin B. SULLIVAN (since January 2025); note - also accredited to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Embassy | Wildey Business Park, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, W.I. |
| Mailing address | 3120 Bridgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3120 |
| Telephone | (246) 227-4000 |
| FAX | (246) 431-0179 |
| Email address and website | bridgetownpublicaffairs@state.gov https://bb.usembassy.gov/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 1 (cultural) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Barbados
Info
No additional political notes.
International organization participation
All Important Facts about Barbados
Want to know more about Barbados? Check all different factbooks for Barbados below.
