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Country name:
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conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands
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Dependency status:
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overseas territory of the UK
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Government type:
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NA
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Capital:
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Adamstown
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Administrative divisions:
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none (overseas territory of the UK)
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Independence:
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none (overseas territory of the UK)
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National holiday:
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Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
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Constitution:
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1838; reformed 1904 with additional reforms in 1940; further refined by the Local Government Ordinance of 1964
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Legal system:
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local island by-laws
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal with three years residency
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Executive branch:
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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 Richard FELL (since NA December 2001); Commissioner (nonresident) Leon SALT (since NA); serves as liaison between the governor and the Island Council
election results: Steve CHRISTIAN 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 7 December 1999)
cabinet: NA
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Legislative branch:
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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: last held NA December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2003)
election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - all independents
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Judicial branch:
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Island Court (island magistrate presides over the court and is elected every three years)
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Political parties and leaders:
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none
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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none
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International organization participation:
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SPC
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none (overseas territory of the UK)
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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none (overseas territory of the UK)
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Flag description:
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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
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