ngular and plural)

adjective: Marshallese

Ethnic groups: Micronesian

Religions: Christian (mostly Protestant)

Languages: English (universally spoken and is the official
language), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian
family, Japanese

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 93%

male: 100%

female: 88% (1980 est.)

Marshall Islands Government

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall
Islands

conventional short form: Marshall Islands

former: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific
Islands)

Government type: constitutional government in free association with
the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21
October 1986

Capital: Majuro

Administrative divisions: 33 municipalities; Ailinginae,
Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon,
Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib,
Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap,
Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje

Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN
trusteeship)

National holiday: Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)

Constitution: 1 May 1979

Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the
legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since
3 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government

head of government: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 3 January
2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government

cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members
of Parliament

elections: president elected by Parliament from among its own
members for a four-year term; election last held 15 November 1999
(next to be held NA November 2003)

election results: Kessai Hesa NOTE elected president; percent of
Parliament vote - 100%

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats;
members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 15 November 1999 (next to be held NA November
2003)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -
NA

note: the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises on
matters affecting customary law and practice

Judicial branch: S