Country name:Conventional long form: United States of America
Conventional short form: United States
Abbreviation: U.S. or US

Government type: Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition

Capital: Washington, D.C.

Independence: 4 July 1776 (from Great Britain)

Constitution:17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789

Legal system: Federal court system based on English common law; each state has its own unique legal system, of which all but one (Louisiana, which is still influenced by the Napoleonic Code) is based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:18 years of age; universal

Source: The World Factbook