ratic tradition

_#_Capital: Washington, DC

_#_Administrative divisions: 50 states and 1 district*; Alabama,
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware,
District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana,
Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North
Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont,
Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

_#_Independence: 4 July 1776 (from England)

_#_Constitution: 17 September 1787, effective 4 June 1789

_#_Dependent areas: American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland
Island; Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands,
Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico,
Virgin Islands, Wake Island.
Since 18 July 1947, the US has administered the Trust Territory of the
Pacific Islands, but recently entered into a new political relationship
with three of the four political units. The Northern Mariana Islands is
a Commonwealth associated with the US (effective 3 November 1986). Palau
concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US that was approved by
the US Congress but to date the Compact process has not been completed in
Palau, which continues to be administered by the US as the Trust
Territory of the Pacific Islands. The Federated States of Micronesia
signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November
1986). The Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free
Association with the US (effective 21 October 1986).

_#_Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of
legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

_#_National holiday: Independence Day, 4 July (1776)

_#_Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet

_#_Legislative branch: bicameral Congress consists of an upper house
or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives

_#_Judicial branch: Supreme Court

_#_Leaders:

Chief of State and Head of Government--President George BUSH
(since 20 January 1989); Vice President Dan QUAYLE (since
20 January 1989)

_#_Political parties and leaders:
Republican Party, Clayton YEUTTER, national committee chairman; Jeanie
AUSTIN,