Northern Mariana Islands

Northern Mariana Islands

Introduction

Background

Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US was approved in 1975, and came into force on 24 March 1976. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978.

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

15 12 N, 145 45 E

Map references

Oceania

Area

total: 464 sq km
country comparison to the world: 196 land:464 sq km
water:0 sq km
note:consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian

Area – comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

1,482 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm

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

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:unnamed elevation on Agrihan 965 m

Natural resources

arable land, fish

Land use

arable land: 13.04%
permanent crops:4.35%
other:82.61% (2005)

Irrigated land

1 sq km (2008)

Natural hazards

active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan

typhoons (especially August to November)

Environment – current issues

contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease

clean-up of landfill

protection of endangered species conflicts with development

Geography – note

strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean

People and Society

Nationality

noun: NA (US citizens)
adjective:NA

Ethnic groups

Asian 56.3%, Pacific islander 36.3%, Caucasian 1.8%, other 0.8%, mixed 4.8% (2000 census)

Languages

Philippine languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%, Chamorro 22.4%, English 10.8%, other Pacific island languages 9.5%, other 9.6% (2000 census)

Religions

Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found)

Population

46,050 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209

Age structure

0-14 years: 26% (male 6,349/female 5,625)
15-64 years:70.4% (male 15,014/female 17,397)
65 years and over:3.6% (male 790/female 875) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 30 years
male:29.8 years
female:30.1 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

-4.004% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 230

Birth rate

20.69 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87

Death rate

3.28 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216

Net migration rate

-57.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220

Urbanization

urban population: 91% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:1.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

SAIPAN (capital) NA (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.061 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.15 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.85 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.92 male(s)/female
total population:0.93 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 5.79 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 177 male:6.19 deaths/1,000 live births
female:5.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 77.08 years
country comparison to the world: 67 male:74.45 years
female:79.87 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.13 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 98% of population
rural: 97% of population
total: 98% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2% of population
rural: 3% of population
total: 2% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 92% of population
rural: 93% of population
total: 92% of population
unimproved:
urban: 8% of population
rural: 7% of population
total: 8% of population (2000)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

HIV/AIDS – deaths

NA

Education expenditures

NA

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:97%
male:97%
female:96% (1980 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

NA

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 5.9%
country comparison to the world: 121 male:11.2%
female:4.4% (2003)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
conventional short form:Northern Mariana Islands
abbreviation:CNMI
former:Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District

Dependency status

commonwealth in political union with the US

federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs

Government type

commonwealth

self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature

Capital

name: Saipan
geographic coordinates:15 12 N, 145 45 E
time difference:UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

none (commonwealth in political union with the US)

there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four municipalities at the second order: Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian

Independence

none (commonwealth in political union with the US)

National holiday

Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)

Constitution

Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978

Covenant Agreement fully effective 4 November 1986

Legal system

US system applies, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch

chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009)

Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)
head of government:Governor Benigno R. FITIAL (since 9 January 2006)

Lieutenant Governor Eloy S. INOS (since 1 May 2009)
cabinet:the cabinet consists of the heads of the 10 principal departments under the executive branch who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate

other members include special assistants to the governor and office heads appointed by and reporting directly to the governor
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president

however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections

governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term)

election last held on 7 November 2009 with a run-off election held on 23 November 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
election results:Benigno R. FITIAL reelected governor in a run-off election held 23 November 2009

percent of vote – Benigno R. FITIAL 51.4%, Heinz HOFSCHNEIDER 48.6%

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and the House of Representatives (20 seats

members elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)
elections:Senate – last held on 7 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2011)

House of Representatives – last held on 7 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2011)
election results:Senate – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – Covenant Party 3, Republican Party 3, Democratic Party 1, independents 2

House of Representatives – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – Republican Party 12, Covenant Party 4, Democratic Party 1, independents 3
note:the Northern Mariana Islands elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives

election last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012)

seats by party – independent 1

Judicial branch

Commonwealth Supreme Court

Superior Court

Federal District Court

Political parties and leaders

Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]

Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]

Republican Party [Juan S. REYES]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

International organization participation

SPC, UPU

Flag description

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

blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the star represents the Commonwealth

the latte stone and the floral head wreath display elements of the native Chamorro culture

National symbol(s)

latte stone

National anthem

name: “Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi” (In the Middle of the Sea)
lyrics/music:Jose S. PANGELINAN [Chamoru], David PETER [Carolinian]/Wilhelm GANZHORN
note:adopted 1996

the Carolinian version of the song is known as “Satil Matawal Pacifico;” as a commonwealth of the United States, in addition to the local anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” is official (see United States)

Economy

Economy – overview

The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated government revenues have grown. The key tourist industry employs about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries have exceeded one-half million in recent years, but financial difficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment production is by far the most important industry with the employment of 17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US under duty and quota exemptions.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$900 million (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203 note:GDP estimate includes US subsidy

GDP (official exchange rate)

$633.4 million (2000)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$12,500 (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: NA%
industry:NA%
services:NA%

Labor force

38,450
country comparison to the world: 197 note:nearly 29,000 of these were foreign workers (2005 est.)

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: NA%
industry:NA%
services:NA%

Unemployment rate

8% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91 3.9% (2001)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:NA%

Budget

revenues: $193 million
expenditures:$223 million (FY91/02)

Taxes and other revenues

30.5% of GDP (FY01/02)
country comparison to the world: 91

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.7% of GDP (FY01/02)
country comparison to the world: 139

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.8% (2000)
country comparison to the world: 8

Agriculture – products

vegetables and melons, fruits and nuts

ornamental plants

livestock, poultry and eggs

fish and aquaculture products

Industries

banking, construction, fishing, garment, tourism, handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Electricity – production

60,600 kWh (January 2009)
country comparison to the world: 215

Electricity – consumption

48,300 kWh (January 2009)
country comparison to the world: 215

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (January 2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (January 2009 est.)

Exports

$98.2 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 189

Exports – commodities

garments

Imports

$214.4 million (2001)
country comparison to the world: 201

Imports – commodities

food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products

Debt – external

$NA

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Transportation

Airports

5 (2010)
country comparison to the world:180

Airports – with paved runways

total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m:2
1,524 to 2,437 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
under 914 m:1 (2010)

Heliports

1 (2010)

Roadways

total: 536 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 192

Ports and terminals

Saipan, Tinian, Rota

Military

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 8,793
females age 16-49:11,569 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 410
female:306 (2010 est.)

Military – note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

none