| Country name | conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands |
|
| Government type | NA |
|
| Capital | name: Adamstown
geographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 05 W
time difference: UTC-9 (4 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
|
| Administrative 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 | 30 November 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 George FERGUSSON (since April 2006); Commissioner (nonresident) Leslie JAQUES (since September 2003) serves as liaison between the governor and the Island Council
head of government: Governor George FERGUSSON (since April 2006); Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Jay WARREN (since 15 December 2004)
cabinet: NA
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor and commissioner appointed by the monarch; island mayor elected by popular vote for a three-year term; election last held December 2004 (next to be held in December 2007)
election results: Jay WARREN elected mayor and chairman of the Island Council |
|
| Legislative branch | unicameral Island Council (10 seats; 5 members elected by popular vote, 1 nominated by the 5 elected members, 2 appointed by the governor including 1 seat for the Island Secretary, the Island Mayor, and a commissioner liaising between the governor and council; elected members serve one-year terms)
elections: last held 24 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2007)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents |
|
| Judicial branch | Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Judicial Officers are appointed by the Governor |
|
Political parties
and leaders | none |
|
Political pressure
groups and leaders | none |
|
International organization
participation | SPC, UPU |
|
| 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 |
|
