Conventional Long Form

Republic of Antarctica

Conventional Short Form

Antarctica

Local Long Form

Sukufa Napaakisu uu

Local Short Form

Napaakisu

Government Type

Parliamentary Republic

Capital

Antarctica City (63°16’S 57°05’W)

Administrative Divisions

16 provinces, 1 capital territory*; Aanasituni and Saanapu Islands, East Antarctica, Haalitao and Mimokanu Islands, Hiihutoine Islands, Kamahaala, Kiiulakina Islands, Kuunepi Islands, Kuusalatiki Islands, National Capital Region*, Peeatikasu, Piihaliitete Islands, Sakamipaale Island, Siikalupuu and Uunioota Islands, Suupakitia, Tiikaxe, West Antarctica, Xisaalo Islands

Independence

1 December 1959 (independence from the United Kingdom)

National Holiday

1 December 1959

Constitution

1 December 1959, effective 23 June 1961; amended many times

Legal System

Based on English Common-Law with many local ordinances, has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive Branch

Chief of state -  Kiilasatufa Palaainesi (since 27 November 1997)

Head of government - Kiilasatufa Palaainesi (since 27 November 1997); note the president is both the chief of state and the head of government.

Cabinet - Cabinet appointed by the president from members of his own ruling party or coalition of parties after an election

Elections - Elections are held every 4 years or sooner if the prime minister decides to call them, or if parliament gets prematurely dissolved. (last election held October 13, 2005, next to be held in October 2009); President is the leader of the political party or coalition which gets the most seats in parliament.

Legislative Branch

Bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The House of Representatives has 86 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote for up to 4 year terms. Election of October 13, 2005, the breakdown of the house of representatives seats is as follows:  Labour party 48; Progressive Party 29; Conservative Party 8; Green Party 1; Percentage of overall vote - Labour Party 45.9%, Progressive Party 30.2%, Conservative Party 13.4%, Green Party 4.9%, Other 5.6%.  Senate has 51 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote for up to 4 year terms. Elections of senators occur on years where there is no election for the house of representatives (Under normal circumstances it occurs during the 2nd year of the term of office for MPs for the House of Representatives). Each province and the capital territory elects 3 senators. Last election held August 3, 2003, next to be held in August 2007

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court of Antarctica (judges are appointed by the President and serve until they resign or retire)

Political Parties and Leaders

Conservative Party [Aaxauaxii Kiieneute], Green Party [Itoopioloa Oniipuuma], Labour Party [Kiilasatufa Palaainesi], Progressive Party [Saakule Naanepelea]

Political Pressure and Groups

N/A

International Organization Participation

APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner) Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Flag Description

two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and white (bottom); southern cross in top right hand corner in white