1996 Edition

Description

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

Location

15 12 N, 145 45 E -- Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Flag ----

Area

comparative area

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

land area

477 sq km

note

includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian

total area

477 sq km

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

international agreements

NA

natural hazards

active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)

Geographic coordinates

15 12 N, 145 45 E

Geographic note

strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean

International disputes

none

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

5% on Saipan

forest and woodland

NA%

meadows and pastures

19%

other

NA%

permanent crops

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

Terrain

southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic

highest point

unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Age structure

0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Ethnic divisions

Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians, Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean

Infant mortality rate

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

Languages

English, Chamorro, Carolinian

note

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

69.48 years (1996 est.)

male

65.53 years

total population

67.43 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)

female

96%

male

97%

total population

97%

Nationality

adjective

NA

noun

NA

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population

52,284 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate

3.04% (1996 est.)

Religions

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

Sex ratio

all ages

NA male(s)/female

at birth

NA male(s)/female

under 15 years

NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Administrative divisions

none

Capital

Saipan

Constitution

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

Data code

CQ

Executive branch

chief of state

President (of the United States) William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)

head of government

Governor Froilan C. TENORIO (since NA January 1994) and Lieutenant Governor Jesus C. BORJA (since NA January 1994) were elected for four-year terms by universal suffrage; 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, surrounded by a wreath

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)

International organization participation

ESCAP (associate), SPC

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

Name of country

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 of government

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)

Agriculture

coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle

Budget

expenditures

$190.4 million, including capital expenditures of $19.1 million (FY94/95)

revenues

$190.4 million

Currency

1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents

Economic aid

none

Economic 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.

Electricity

capacity

105,000 kW

consumption per capita

NA kWh

production

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

GDP

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

note

GDP numbers reflect US spending

GDP composition by sector

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

GDP per capita

$10,500 (1994 est.)

GDP real growth rate

NA%

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.)

Labor force

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

by occupation

NA

Unemployment rate

NA%

Defense note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1984)

Radios

15,350 (1987 est.)

Telephone system

domestic

NA

international

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Telephones

13,618 (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations

1

note

there are 2 cable TV stations

Televisions

10,650 (1993 est.) Defense

Airports

total

5

with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m

2

with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m

1

with paved runways under 914 m

1

with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m

1 (1995 est.)

Heliports

1 (1995 est.)

Highways

paved

NA km

total

381.5 km (1991 est.)

unpaved

NA km

Merchant marine

none

Ports

Saipan, Tinian

Railways

0 km

Waterways

none