Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo,
Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas,
Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande,
Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa
Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega
Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco

Independence: none (commonwealth associated with the US)

National holiday: US Independence Day, 4 July (1776)

Constitution: ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July
1952; effective 25 July 1952

Legal system: based on Spanish civil code

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US
citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch: chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the
US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since
20 January 2001)

head of government: Governor Sila M. CALDERON (since NA January
2001)

cabinet: appointed by the governor with the consent of the
legislature

elections: US president and vice president elected on the same
ticket for four-year terms; governor elected by popular vote for a
four-year term; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held
NA November 2004)

election results: Sila M. CALDERON (PDP) elected governor; percent
of vote - 48.8%

Legislative branch: bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the
Senate (28 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to
serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (54 seats;
members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year
terms)

elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA
November 2004); House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2000
(next to be held NA November 2004)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by
party - PNP 19, PPD 7, PIP 1, other 1; House of Representatives -
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PNP 30, PPD 20, PIP
1, other 3

note: Puerto Rico elects one nonvoting representative to the US
House of Representatives; elections last held 7 November 2000 (next
to be held NA November 2004); results - percent of vote by party -
NA; seats by party - PPD 1 (Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA)

Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Superior Courts; Municipal Courts
(justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the
consent of the Senate)

Political parties and leaders: National Democrati