FACTBOX:Where are the world's remaining monarchies?

Thu May 29, 2008 3:34am EDT
 
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(Reuters) - Nepal's 239-year-old Shah dynasty became the latest monarchy to tumble on Wednesday, after its ruling Hindu royals were outmaneuvered by a decade-long Maoist insurgency and displaced by a mass pro-democracy movement.

Here is a list of some of the world's remaining monarchies and their royal heads of state:

RULING MONARCHIES:

- Bahrain, constitutional monarchy: King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa.

- Brunei, constitutional sultanate: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir Hassanal Bolkiah.

- Jordan, constitutional monarchy: King Abdullah II.

- Kuwait, constitutional emirate: Sheik Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah.

- Oman, monarchy: Sultan and Prime Minister Qaboos bin Said.

- Qatar, emirate: Emir Sheik Hamad bin Khalifah al-Thani.

- Saudi Arabia, monarchy: King and Prime Minister Abdullah.

- Swaziland, monarchy: King Mswati III rules Africa's last remaining absolute monarchy.

- United Arab Emirates, federation of emirates: President Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

OTHER MONARCHIES:

- Bhutan, constitutional monarchy: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who ceded most of his powers at March democratic elections ending the country's absolute monarchy.

- Belgium, federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy: King Albert II.

- Cambodia, multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy: King Norodom Sihamoni.  Continued...

 

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