1995 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1995 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Area
total area: 477 sq km land area: 477 sq km comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
Climate
tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October
Coastline
1,482 km
Environment
current issues: contamination of groundwater on Saipan by raw sewage contributes to disease natural hazards: active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November) international agreements: NA
International disputes
none
Irrigated land
NA sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 5% on Saipan permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: 19% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA%
Location
Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Map references
Oceania
Maritime claims
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Natural resources
arable land, fish
Note
strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean
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)
People and Society
Age structure
0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Birth rate
33.05 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate
4.61 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Ethnic divisions
Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians, Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean
Infant mortality rate
37.96 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Labor force
7,476 total indigenous labor force, 2,699 unemployed; 21,188 foreign workers (1990) by occupation: NA
Languages
English, Chamorro, Carolinian note: 86% of population speaks a language other than English at home
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 67.43 years male: 65.53 years female: 69.48 years (1995 est.)
Literacy
age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 97% male: 97% female: 96%
Nationality
noun: NA adjective: NA
Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Population
51,033 (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate
3.04% (1995 est.)
Religions
Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found)
Total fertility rate
2.69 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Government
Administrative divisions
none
Capital
Saipan
Constitution
Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986 and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Digraph
CQ
Executive branch
chief of state: President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993) head of government: Governor Froilan C. TENORIO (since January 1994); Lieutenant Governor Jesus C. BORJA (since January 1994); election last held in NA November 1993 (next to be held NA November 1997); results - Froilan C. TENORIO (Democrat) was elected governor with 56% of the vote
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
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
Independence
none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
Judicial branch
Commonwealth Supreme Court, Superior Court, Federal District Court
Legal system
based on US system except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation
Legislative branch
bicameral Legislature
Member of
ESCAP (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), SPC
Names
conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands
National holiday
Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
Political parties and leaders
Republican Party, Benigno R. FITIAL, Leader; Democratic Party, Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO, Chairman
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
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Type
commonwealth in political union with the US; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Territorial and International Affairs
US 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)
Economy
Agriculture
coconuts, fruits, cattle, vegetables; food is a major import
Budget
revenues: $190.4 million expenditures: $190.4 million, including capital expenditures of $19.1 million (FY94/95)
Currency
1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Economic aid
none
Electricity
capacity: 105,000 kW production: NA kWh consumption per capita: NA kWh
Exchange rates
US currency is used
Exports
$263.4 million (f.o.b. 1991 est.) commodities: garments partners: NA
External debt
$NA
Fiscal year
1 October - 30 September
Imports
$392.4 million (c.i.f. 1991 est.) commodities: food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products partners: US, Japan
Industrial production
growth rate NA%
Industries
tourism, construction, light industry, handicrafts
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
6.5% (1994 est.)
National product
GDP - purchasing power parity - $524 million (1994 est.) note: GDP numbers reflect US spending
National product per capita
$10,500 (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate
NA%
Overview
The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. 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.
Unemployment rate
NA%
Communications
Radio
broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1984) radios: NA
Telephone system
NA telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: 2 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth stations
Television
broadcast stations: 1; note - there are 2 cable TV stations televisions: NA
Transportation
Airports
total: 8 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 with paved runways under 914 m: 3 with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
Highways
total: 381.5 km paved: NA unpaved: NA undifferentiated: primary 134.5 km; secondary 55 km; local 192 km (1991)
Inland waterways
none
Merchant marine
none
Ports
Saipan, Tinian
Railroads
0 km
Military and Security
Note
defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ NORWAY