2014 Edition

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.

Area

464 sq km 464 sq km 0 sq km consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian

total

464 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

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

Elevation extremes

Pacific Ocean 0 m unnamed elevation on Agrihan 965 m

highest point

unnamed elevation on Agrihan 965 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development

Geographic coordinates

15 12 N, 145 45 E

Geography - note

strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean

Irrigated land

1 sq km (2011)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

2.17% 2.17% 95.65% (2011)

arable land

2.17%

other

95.65% (2011)

permanent crops

2.17%

Location

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

arable land, fish

Terrain

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

Age structure

25.9% (male 6,944/female 6,393) 14.5% (male 4,133/female 3,348) 44.9% (male 9,793/female 13,340) 10% (male 2,798/female 2,372) 4.3% (male 1,122/female 1,240) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

25.9% (male 6,944/female 6,393)

15-24 years

14.5% (male 4,133/female 3,348)

25-54 years

44.9% (male 9,793/female 13,340)

55-64 years

10% (male 2,798/female 2,372)

65 years and over

4.3% (male 1,122/female 1,240) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

18.94 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Death rate

3.61 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 97.5% of population rural: 97.5% of population total: 97.5% of population urban: 2.5% of population rural: 2.5% of population total: 2.5% of population (2012 est.)

rural

2.5% of population

total

2.5% of population (2012 est.)

urban

2.5% of population

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.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

5.5 deaths/1,000 live births 5.88 deaths/1,000 live births 5.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

5.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

5.5 deaths/1,000 live births

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.)

Life expectancy at birth

77.64 years 74.98 years 80.46 years (2014 est.)

female

80.46 years (2014 est.)

total population

77.64 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 97% 97% 96% (1980 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96% (1980 est.)

male

97%

total population

97%

Major urban areas - population

SAIPAN (capital) 56,000 (2011)

Median age

31.6 years 29.4 years 32.2 years (2014 est.)

female

32.2 years (2014 est.)

male

29.4 years

total

31.6 years

Nationality

NA (US citizens) NA

adjective

NA

noun

NA (US citizens)

Net migration rate

-4.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Population

51,483 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

1.13% (2014 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 79.7% of population rural: 79.7% of population total: 79.7% of population urban: 20.3% of population rural: 20.3% of population total: 20.3% of population (2012 est.)

rural

20.3% of population

total

20.3% of population (2012 est.)

urban

20.3% of population

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.09 male(s)/female 1.23 male(s)/female 0.73 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.09 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.23 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.73 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.91 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.93 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.01 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

5.9% 11.2% 4.4% (2003)

female

4.4% (2003)

total

5.9%

Urbanization

91.5% of total population (2011) 1.87% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.87% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

91.5% of total population (2011)

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

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

Capital

Saipan 15 12 N, 145 45 E UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

15 12 N, 145 45 E

name

Saipan

time difference

UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

partially effective 1 January 1978 (Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands); fully effective 4 November 1986 (Covenant Agreement); amended several times, last in 2012 (2012)

Country name

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Northern Mariana Islands CNMI Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District

abbreviation

CNMI

conventional long form

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

conventional short form

Northern Mariana Islands

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

Executive branch

President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) Governor Eloy S. INOS (since 20 February 2013); Lieutenant Governor Jude U. HOFSCHNEIDER (since 20 February 2013) 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 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 2014) 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% Benigno R. FITIAL was impeached by House of Representatives on 11-12 February 2013 and resigned on 20 February 2013; Eloy INOS was sworn in as governor the same day

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

chief of state

President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)

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%

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 2014)

head of government

Governor Eloy S. INOS (since 20 February 2013); Lieutenant Governor Jude U. HOFSCHNEIDER (since 20 February 2013)

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

Government type

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

Independence

none (commonwealth in political union with the US)

International organization participation

SPC, UPU

Judicial branch

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 note - appeals beyond the Northern Mariannas Islands Supreme Court are referred to the US Supreme Court 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 Superior Court

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

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

Legal system

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

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) Senate - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014); House of Representatives - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014) 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 4, Covenant Party 3, independents 13 the Northern Mariana Islands elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014); seats by party - independent 1

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 4, Covenant Party 3, independents 13

elections

Senate - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014); House of Representatives - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014)

National anthem

"Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi" (In the Middle of the Sea) Jose S. PANGELINAN [Chamoru], David PETER [Carolinian]/Wilhelm GANZHORN 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)

lyrics/music

Jose S. PANGELINAN [Chamoru], David PETER [Carolinian]/Wilhelm GANZHORN

name

"Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi" (In the Middle of the Sea)

National holiday

Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)

National symbol(s)

latte stone

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Agriculture - products

vegetables and melons, fruits and nuts; ornamental plants; livestock, poultry, eggs; fish and aquaculture products

Budget

$260 million $318.2 million (FY10/11)

expenditures

$318.2 million (FY10/11)

revenues

$260 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7.9% of GDP (FY10/11 est.)

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

The Northern Mariana Islands' economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. The tourist industry employs approximately a quarter of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of GDP. As a share of total arrivals, the number of Japanese tourists has dropped recently to less than half, while Korean visitors account for roughly one-third. Annual tourist arrivals have remained below 400,000 since 2007. Other services such as trade are also important to the local economy. The small agriculture sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$98.2 million (2008)

Exports - commodities

garments

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1.7% 3.3% 95% (2010)

agriculture

1.7%

industry

3.3%

services

95% (2010)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$13,600 (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$733 million (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$733 million (2010 est.) GDP estimate includes US subsidy

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$214.4 million (2001)

Imports - commodities

food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, banking, construction, fishing, handicrafts, other services

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-2.7% (2012 est.)

Labor force

38,450 includes nearly 29,000 foreign workers (2005 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

1.9% 10% 88.1% (2010 est.)

agriculture

1.9%

industry

10%

services

88.1% (2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Taxes and other revenues

35.5% of GDP (FY10/11 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.2% (2010 est.) 8% (2005 est.)

Electricity - consumption

48,300 kWh (January 2009)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (January 2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (January 2009 est.)

Electricity - production

60,600 kWh (January 2009)

Broadcast media

1 TV broadcast station on Saipan; multi-channel cable TV services are available on Saipan; 9 licensed radio broadcast stations (2009)

Internet country code

.mp

Internet hosts

17 (2012)

Telephone system

country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

international

country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Airports

5 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

total

3

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

total

2

Heliports

1 (2013)

Ports and terminals

Saipan, Tinian, Rota

major seaport(s)

Saipan, Tinian, Rota

Roadways

536 km (2008)

total

536 km (2008)

Manpower fit for military service

8,793 11,569 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

11,569 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

8,793

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

306 (2010 est.)

female

306 (2010 est.)

male

410

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Disputes - international

none