Random Facts: The Commonwealth

Glasgow is hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games. What do you know about the Commonwealth? What is the Queen’s role in the Commonwealth?

• Formed of 53 countries, the Commonwealth is the biggest geographical union, and the only one that spans all livable continents. It is estimated that all the countries put together will form one quarter of the Earth’s land mass and comprises almost a third of the world population.

• Since 1977, the Commonwealth Day is celebrated on the second Monday in March.

• All the countries within the Commonwealth have their own independent government. The heads of states of all the 53 nations meet every two years to discuss many topics of mutual concern and interest.

• Most Commonwealth countries were part of the British Empire from the late 1500s to the early 1900s. Traditionally, new members wanting to enter the Commonwealth had to have ties to the United Kingdom. The rule has since been relaxed. Countries, such as Mozambique, that have either constitutional or administrative ties with at least one current member of the Commonwealth of Nations can apply for a membership. All nations have the freedom to withdraw from the Commonwealth at any point.

• The Head of the Commonwealth doesn’t hold any political or executive power over the member states.

• All the nations in the union must recognise the Head of the Commonwealth as the highest power in the land. Since the creation of the role, there have been two Heads of the Commonwealth: King George VI (1949-1952) and Queen Elizabeth II (1952-present). Interestingly when the Queen dies, her successor to the British throne will not automatically replace her as the new Head of the Commonwealth. The heir must be named to the position by a vote of Commonwealth countries.

• The United States of America is not part of the Commonwealth. In fact, it is one of the few British colonies that went to war against the monarchy for independence. It is very unlikely that they will voluntarily join the Commonwealth and recognise the Queen as their leader.

• Countries can be suspended or expelled if they do not abide by political principles, including democracy and respect for human rights, specified as part of their membership. To date, Fiji, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe have been suspended on these grounds.

• The next Commonwealth game will be held in Australia between the 4th and 15th of April 2018.