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Administrative divisions 33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje
Capital city	Majuro
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	7 06 N, 171 23 E
Constitution	1 May 1979
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Charles A. PAUL
Executive branch > Cabinet Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of the legislature
Executive branch > Chief of state President Litokwa TOMEING (since 7 January 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
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
Government type constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004
Independence 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; High Court; Traditional Rights Court
Legal system based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral legislature or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
National holiday	Constitution Day, 1 May
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 - Aelon Kein Ad Party [Michael KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING]
Status democracy
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal
Time required to start a business > days	17 days		[141st of 171]
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International claims US territory of Wake Island

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