Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Saint Helena

Data code SH

Dependency status dependent territory of the UK

Government type NA

National capital Jamestown

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

Independence none (dependent territory of the UK)

National holiday Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen, 10 June 1989 (second Saturday in June)

Constitution 1 January 1989

Legal system NA

Suffrage NA years of age

Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Governor and Commander in Chief David Leslie SMALLMAN (since NA 1995)
cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, two ex-officio officers, and six elected members of the Legislative Council
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor is appointed by the queen

Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council (15 seats, including the governor, 2 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 July 2001)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 15

Judicial branch Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders none

International organization participation ICFTU

Diplomatic representation in the US none (dependent territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US none (dependent 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

NOTE: The information regarding Saint Helena on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Saint Helena Government 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Saint Helena Government 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.