DS - deaths: NA

Nationality: noun: Norfolk Islander(s) adjective: Norfolk Islander(s)

Ethnic groups: descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New
Zealander, Polynesians

Religions: Anglican 37.4%, Uniting Church in Australia 14.5%, Roman
Catholic 11.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.1%, none 12.2%, unknown 17.4%,
other 3.9% (1996)

Languages: English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century English
and ancient Tahitian

Literacy: NA

Government Norfolk Island

Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island
conventional short form: Norfolk Island

Dependency status: territory of Australia; Canberra administers
Commonwealth responsibilities on Norfolk Island through the Department
of Environment, Sport, and Territories

Government type: NA

Capital: Kingston

Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)

Independence: none (territory of Australia)

National holiday: Pitcairners Arrival Day, 8 June (1856)

Constitution: Norfolk Island Act of 1979

Legal system: based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts;
English common law applies in matters not covered by either Australian
or Norfolk Island law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952); the UK and Australia are represented by Administrator Anthony
J. MESSNER (since 4 August 1997) election results: Geoffrey Robert
GARDNER elected chief minister; percent of Legislative Assembly vote -
NA% elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the
governor general of Australia; chief minister elected by the Legislative
Assembly for a term of not more than three years; election last held 29
November 2001 (next to be held by December 2004) head of government:
Assembly President and Chief Minister Geoffrey Robert GARDNER (since
5 December 2001) cabinet: Executive Council is made up of four of the
nine members of the Legislative Assembly; the council devises government
policy and acts as an advisor to the administrator

Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members
elected by electors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes
can be given to any one candidate; members serve three-year terms)
elections: last held 29 November 2001 (next to be held by December 2004)
election results: Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions

Political parties and leaders: