Country name
conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands
conventional short form: Marshall Islands
former: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)

Data code RM

Government type constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986

National capital Majuro

Administrative divisions none

Independence 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1 May (1979)

Constitution 1 May 1979

Legal system based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
chief of state: President Imata KABUA (since 14 January 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Imata KABUA (since 14 January 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of Parliament
elections: president elected by Parliament from among its own members for a four-year term; election last held 14 January 1997 (next to be held NA January 2000); note - Imata KABUA elected to succeed and complete the term of the late President Amata KABUA
election results: Imata KABUA elected president; percent of Parliament vote - 63%

Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 20 November 1995 (next to be held NA 2000; note - new elections will be held upon the completion of the term of the late President Amata KABUA)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA
note: the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice

Judicial branch Supreme Court; High Court

Political parties and leaders traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Our Islands Party, leader NA, and Ralik/Ratak Democratic Party (RRDP), Ramsey REIMERS

International organization participation AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Banny DE BRUM
chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414
FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236
consulate(s) general: Honolulu

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Joan M. PLAISTED
embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro
mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379
telephone: [692] 247-4011
FAX: [692] 247-4012

Flag description blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes

NOTE: The information regarding Marshall Islands on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Marshall Islands Government 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Marshall Islands Government 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.