tive divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK)

Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday: Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June
(1926)

Constitution: 1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940;
further refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964

Legal system: local island by-laws

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal with three years residency

Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
1952), represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor
(nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Martin WILLIAMS (since NA May
1998); Commissioner (nonresident) Leon SALT (since NA); serves as liaison
between the governor and the Island Council election results: elected
mayor; percent of vote - NA% elections: the monarchy is hereditary;
high commissioner and commissioner appointed by the monarch; island
magistrate elected by popular vote for a three-year term; election
last held NA December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2002) head of
government: Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Steve CHRISTIAN
(since NA) cabinet: NA

Legislative branch: unicameral Island Council (10 seats - 6 elected
by popular vote, 1 appointed by the 6 elected members, 2 appointed
by the governor, and 1 seat for the Island Secretary; members serve
one-year terms) elections: results: percent of vote - NA%; seats -
all independents

Judicial branch: Island Court (island magistrate presides over the
court and is elected every three years)

Political parties and leaders: none

Political pressure groups and leaders: none

International organization participation: SPC

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of
the UK)

Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer
half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with
a shield featuring a yellow anchor

Economy Pitcairn Islands

Economy - overview: The inhabitants of this tiny economy exist on
fishing, subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. The
fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and
vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams,
and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major
sourc