and, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa
Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin
Islands, Wake Island note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the
US administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, but recently
entered into a new political relationship with all four political units:
the Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with
the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free
Association with the US (effective 1 October 1994); 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)

Independence: 4 July 1776 (from Great Britain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 4 July (1776)

Constitution: 17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789

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

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President George W. BUSH (since 20
January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January
2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government head of government: Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by
a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state;
president and vice president serve four-year terms; election last held 7
November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004) election results: George
W. BUSH elected president; percent of popular vote - George W. BUSH
(Republican Party) 48%, Albert A. GORE, Jr. (Democratic Party) 48%,
Ralph NADER (Green Party) 3%, other 1%

Legislative branch: bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100
seats, one-third are renewed every two years; two members are elected
from each state by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House
of Representatives (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular
vote to serve two-year terms) election results: Senate - percent of vote
by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 50, Republican Party
49, independent 1; House of Representatives - perce