The Commonwealth

Established: By evolutionary process and formalized December 31, 1931, in the Statute of Westminster.

Purpose: To give expression to a continuing sense of affinity and to foster cooperation among states presently or formerly owing allegiance to the British Crown.

Commonwealth Center: The Secretariat is located in Marlborough House, London, which also serves as the site of Commonwealth meetings in the United Kingdom.

Principal Organs: Meeting of Heads of Government, Secretariat, Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group.

Website: www.thecommonwealth.org.

Head of the Commonwealth: Queen Elizabeth II.

Secretary General: Patricia Scotland (United Kingdom).

Membership (54, with years of entry): Antigua and Barbuda (1981), Australia (1931), Bahamas (1973), Bangladesh (1972), Barbados (1966), Belize (1981), Botswana (1966), Brunei (1984), Cameroon (1995), Canada (1931), Cyprus (1961), Dominica (1978), Eswatini (formerly Swaziland, 1968), Fiji (1970, reentered 1997), Gambia (1995, reentered ...