Northern Mariana Islands

Northern Mariana Islands

Commonwealth in political union with the U.S.

 

Geography                 Economy                 Defense Forces
 

People                    Transportation          Government



Communications            History      	          Travel

GEOGRAPHY

Location

Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

Area

Note: Includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian

Land Boundaries

0 km

Coastline

1,482 km

Maritime Claims

International Disputes

None

Climate

Tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October

Terrain

Southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic; highest elevation is 471 m (Mt. Okso' Takpochao on Saipan)
highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m

Natural Resources

Land Use

Irrigated Land

NA

Environment

Note: Strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean

PEOPLE

Population

52,284 (July 1996 est.)
51,033 (July 1995 est.)

Age Structure

0-14 Years

NA

15-64 Years

NA

65 Years and Over

NA

Population Growth Rate

3.04% (1996 est.)

Birth Rate

33.05 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death Rate

4.61 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net Migration Rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Infant Mortality Rate

37.96 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Total Fertility Rate

2.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality

Ethnic Divisions

Religions

Languages

English, Chamorro, Carolinian

Note: 86% of population speaks a language other than English at home

Literacy

Age 15 and over that can read and write (1980)

Labor Force

7,476 total indigenous labor force, 2,699 unemployed; 21,188 foreign workers (1990)

By occupation:

GOVERNMENT

Names

Digraph

CQ

Type

Commonwealth in political union with the U.S.; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Territorial and International Affairs

Capital

Saipan

Administrative Divisions

None

Independence

None (commonwealth in political union with the U.S.)

National Holiday

Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)

Constitution

Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986 and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Legal System

Based on U.S. system except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are U.S. citizens but do not vote in U.S. presidential elections

Executive Branch

Legislative Branch

Bicameral Legislature

Senate

Elections last held NA November 1993 (next to be held NA November 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total) Republicans retained a majority of the seats

House of Representatives

Elections last held NA November 1993 (next to be held NA November 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (18 total) Republicans retained a majority of the seats

U.S. House of Representatives

The Commonwealth does not have a nonvoting delegate in Congress; instead, it has an elected official "resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats - (1 total) Juan N. BABAUTA (Republican)

Judicial Branch

Commonwealth Supreme Court, Superior Court, Federal District Court

Political Parties and Leaders

Republican Party, Benigno R. FITIAL, Leader; Democratic Party, Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO, Chairman

Member of

ESCAP (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), SPC

Flag

Blue with a white five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath

ECONOMY

Overview

The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the U.S.. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated government revenues have grown. An agreement for the years 1986 to 1992 entitled the islands to $228 million for capital development, government operations, and special programs. A rapidly growing major source of income is the tourist industry, which now employs about 50% of the work force. Japanese tourists predominate. The agricultural sector is of minor importance and is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Industry is small scale, mostly handicrafts, light manufacturing, and garment production.

National Product

GDP - purchasing power parity - $524 million (1994 est.)

Note: GDP numbers reflect U.S. spending

National Product Real Growth Rate

NA

National Product Per Capita

$10,500 (1994 est.)

Inflation Rate (consumer Prices)

6.5% (1994 est.)

Unemployment Rate

NA

Budget

Exports

$263.4 million (f.o.b. 1991 est.)

Commodities:

Partners:

Imports

$392.4 million (c.i.f. 1991 est.)

Commodities:

Partners:

External Debt

NA

Industrial Production

Growth rate NA

Electricity

Industries

Agriculture

Coconuts, fruits, cattle, vegetables; food is a major import

Economic Aid

None

Currency

1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents

Exchange Rates

U.S. currency is used

Fiscal Year

1 October - 30 September

TRANSPORTATION

Railroads

0 km

Highways

Inland Waterways

None

Ports

Saipan, Tinian

Merchant Marine

None

Airports

COMMUNICATIONS

Telephone System

13,618 telephones (1993 est.)

Radio

Television

DEFENSE FORCES

Note: Defense is the responsibility of the U.S.

History
World Atlas

Last updated: 28 november 1997