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Australia-Oceania :: Northern Mariana Islands (commonwealth in political union with the US)

- ## Introduction :: NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

- 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 :: NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

- 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
  land: 464 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  note: consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
  country comparison to the world: 197
  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 flat 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:
  agricultural land: 6.6%
  arable land 2.2%; permanent crops 2.2%; permanent pasture 2.2%
  forest: 65.5%
  other: 27.9% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  1 sq km (2011)
  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 :: NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

- Nationality:
  noun: NA (US citizens)
  adjective: NA
  Ethnic groups:
  Asian 50% (includes Filipino 35.3%, Chinese 6.8%, Korean 4.2%, and other Asian 3.7%), Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 34.9% (includes Chamorro 23.9%, Carolinian 4.6%, and other Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 6.4%), other 2.5%, two or more ethnicities or races 12.7% (2010 est.)
  Languages:
  Philippine languages 32.8%, Chamorro (official) 24.1%, English (official) 17%, other Pacific island languages 10.1%, Chinese 6.8%, other Asian languages 7.3%, other 1.9% (2010 est.)
  Religions:
  Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found)
  Population:
  52,344 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 209
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 25.6% (male 6,917/female 6,483)
  15-24 years: 14.39% (male 4,216/female 3,317)
  25-54 years: 44.3% (male 9,802/female 13,385)
  55-64 years: 10.76% (male 3,031/female 2,602)
  65 years and over: 4.95% (male 1,240/female 1,351) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Median age:
  total: 32.1 years
  male: 29.6 years
  female: 33 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  2.18% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 42
  Birth rate:
  18.32 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Death rate:
  3.71 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 213
  Net migration rate:
  7.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 17
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 89.2% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 0.39% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  SAIPAN (capital) 49,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.27 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 0.73 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 1.17 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 5.4 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 5.78 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 5 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 172
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 77.82 years
  male: 75.15 years
  female: 80.65 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 65
  Total fertility rate:
  1.98 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 124
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 97.5% of population
  rural: 97.5% of population
  total: 97.5% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 2.5% of population
  rural: 2.5% of population
  total: 2.5% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 79.7% of population
  rural: 79.7% of population
  total: 79.7% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 20.3% of population
  rural: 20.3% of population
  total: 20.3% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA

- ## Government :: NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

- 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 4 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:
  partially effective 9 January 1978 (Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands); fully effective 4 November 1986 (Covenant Agreement); amended several times, last in 2012 (2015)
  Legal system:
  US system applies, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation
  Citizenship:
  see United States
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal; note - 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 Eloy S. INOS (since 20 February 2013); Lieutenant Governor Ralph TORRES (since 20 February 2013)
  cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate
  elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of the Northern Mariana Islands do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; election last held on 4 November 2014 with a runoff on 21 November 2014 (next to be held in 2018)
  election results: Eloy S. INOS reelected governor; percent of vote in runoff - Eloy S. INOS (Republican) 57%, Heinz HOFSCHNEIDER (Republican) 43%; Ralph TORRES reelected lieutenant governor
  note: Benigno R. FITIAL was impeached by House of Representatives on 11-12 February 2013 and resigned on 20 February 2013; Eloy INOS (Republican) sworn in as governor the same day
  Legislative branch:
  description: bicameral Northern Mariana Commonwealth Legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) and the House of Representatives (20 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms)
  elections: Senate - last held on 4 November 2014 (next to be held on 8 November 2016); House of Representatives - last held on 4 November 2014 (next to be held on 8 November 2016)
  election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Covenant Party 3, Republican Party 3, Democratic Party 1, independent 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 13, Republican Party 7
  note: the Northern Mariana Islands directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as a delegate to the US House of Representatives; the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote; election of delegate last held on 4 November 2014 (next to be held on 8 November 2016)
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands or CNMI (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices); US Federal District Court (consists of 1 judge); note - US Federal District Court jurisdiction limited to US federal laws; appeals beyond the Northern Mariannas Islands Supreme Court are referred to the US Supreme Court
  judge selection and term of office: judges of the Supreme Court of the CNMI appointed by the governor and confirmed by the CNMI Senate; judges appointed for 8-year terms and can serve another term if approved through voter election; US Federal District Court judges appointed by the US president and confirmed by the US Senate; judges appointed for renewable 10-year terms
  subordinate courts: Superior 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:
  PIF (observer), 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 colors: blue, white
  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 :: NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

- Economy - overview:
  The Northern Mariana Islands' economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. In fiscal year 2013, federal grants accounted for 35.4% of the Commonwealth’s total revenues. A small agriculture sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. The Commonwealth’s economy continued to recover in 2013. Real GDP increased 4.4%, following a 2.1% gain in 2012. Economic growth in 2013 reflected increases in consumer spending and exports of services, mainly spending by foreign tourists. Tourism continued to grow in 2013, after posting double-digit growth in 2012. The tourist industry employs approximately a quarter of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of GDP. The Commonwealth is making a concerted effort to broaden its tourism by extending casino gambling from the small Islands of Tinian and Rota to the main Island of Saipan, it’s political and commercial center.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $682 million (2013 est.)
  $665 million (2012)
  $649 million (2011)
  note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy
  country comparison to the world: 209
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $1.232 billion (2013 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  4.5% (2013)
  2.1% (2012)
  -6.8% (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 65
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $13,300 (2013 est.)
  $12,900 (2012)
  $12,400 (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 115
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 91.3%
  government consumption: 51.5%
  investment in fixed assets: 3.8%
  exports of goods and services: 42.2%
  imports of goods and services: 42.2% (2013)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 1.7%
  industry: 2.9%
  services: 95.4% (2010)
  Agriculture - products:
  vegetables and melons, fruits and nuts; ornamental plants; livestock, poultry, eggs; fish and aquaculture products
  Industries:
  tourism, banking, construction, fishing, handicrafts, other services
  Industrial production growth rate:
  NA%
  Labor force:
  27,970
  note: includes foreign workers (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 207
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 1.9%
  industry: 10%
  services: 88.1% (2010 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  11.2% (2010 est.)
  8% (2005 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 124
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $246.4 million
  expenditures: $249.8 million (2013 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  20% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 163
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -0.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 50
  Fiscal year:
  1 October - 30 September
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  -2.5% (2013 est.)
  1.1% (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Exports:
  $288 million (2013)
  $268 million (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Exports - commodities:
  garments
  Imports:
  $606 million (2013)
  $531 million (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 190
  Imports - commodities:
  food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products
  Debt - external:
  $NA
  Exchange rates:
  the US dollar is used

- ## Energy :: NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

- Electricity - production:
  60,600 kWh (January 2009)
  country comparison to the world: 219
  Electricity - consumption:
  48,300 kWh (January 2009)
  country comparison to the world: 219
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (January 2009 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 125
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (January 2009 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 135

- ## Communications :: NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

- Telephone system:
  international: country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
  Broadcast media:
  1 TV broadcast station on Saipan; multi-channel cable TV services are available on Saipan; 9 licensed radio broadcast stations (2009)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 1 (2005)
  Television broadcast stations:
  1 (on Saipan; in addition, 2 cable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (2006)
  Internet country code:
  .mp

- ## Transportation :: NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

- Airports:
  5 (2013)
  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 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 2
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
  under 914 m:
  1 (2013)
  Heliports:
  1 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 536 km (2008)
  country comparison to the world: 194
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Saipan, Tinian, Rota

- ## Military :: NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

- 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 :: NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

- Disputes - international:
  none

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