2021 Edition

Background

The Northern Mariana Islands were settled by Austronesian people around 1500 B.C. These people became the indigenous Chamorro and were influenced by later migrations, including of Micronesians in the first century A.D., and island Southeast Asians around 900. Spanish explorer Ferdinand MAGELLAN sailed through the Mariana Islands in 1521 and Spain claimed them in 1565. Spain formally colonized the Mariana Islands in 1668 and administered the archipelago from Guam. Spain’s brutal repression of Chamorro, along with new diseases and intermittent warfare, reduced the indigenous population by about 90% in the 1700s. With a similar dynamic occurring on Guam, Spain forced Chamorro from the Northern Mariana Islands to resettle on Guam and prevented them from returning to their home islands. By the time the Northern Mariana Islands’ Chamorro returned, many other Micronesians, including Chuukese and Yapese, had already settled on their islands.In 1898, Spain ceded Guam to the US following the Spanish-American War but sold the Northern Mariana Islands to Germany under the German-Spanish Treaty of 1899. Germany administered the territory from German New Guinea but took a hands-off approach to day-to-day life. Following World War I, Japan administered the islands under a League of Nations mandate. Japan focused on sugar production and brought in thousands of Japanese laborers, who quickly outnumbered the Chamorro on the islands. During World War II, Japan invaded Guam from the Northern Mariana Islands and used Marianan Chamorro as translators with Guamanian Chamorro, creating friction between the two Chamorro communities that continues to this day. The US captured the Northern Mariana Islands in 1944 after the Battle of Saipan and administered them post-World War II as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI).On four occasions in the 1950s and 1960s, voters opted for integration with Guam, although Guam rejected it in 1969. In 1978, the Northern Mariana Islands was granted self-government separate from the rest of the TTPI and in 1986, islanders were granted US citizenship and the territory came under US sovereignty as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). In 2009, the CNMI became the final US territory to elect a nonvoting delegate to the US Congress.

Area

land

464 sq km

note

note: 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

highest point

unnamed elevation on Agrihan 965 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Geographic coordinates

15 12 N, 145 45 E

Geography - note

strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean

Irrigated land

1 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total

0 km

Land use

agricultural land

6.6% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 2.2% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 2.2% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 2.2% (2018 est.)

forest

65.5% (2018 est.)

other

27.9% (2018 est.)

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 hazards

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

Natural resources

arable land, fish

Population distribution

approximately 90% of the population lives on the island of Saipan

Terrain

the southern islands in this north-south trending archipelago are limestone, with fringing coral reefs; the northern islands are volcanic, with active volcanoes on several islands

Age structure

0-14 years

25.02% (male 6,937/female 5,934)

15-24 years

16.28% (male 4,518/female 3,857)

25-54 years

37.44% (male 9,934/female 9,325)

55-64 years

14.01% (male 3,921/female 3,286)

65 years and over

7.23% (male 1,988/female 1,733) (2020 est.)

Birth rate

15.31 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current Health Expenditure

NA

Death rate

5.28 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

NA

potential support ratio

NA

total dependency ratio

NA

youth dependency ratio

NA

Drinking water source

improved: total

total: 100% of population

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)

Education expenditures

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.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

female

9.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)

male

15.52 deaths/1,000 live births

total

12.79 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Philippine languages 32.8%, Chamorro (official) 24.1%, English (official) 17%, other Pacific island languages 10.1% (includes Carolinian (official), Chinese 6.8%, other Asian languages 7.3%, other 1.9% (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

female

78.79 years (2021 est.)

male

74.22 years

total population

76.33 years

Major urban areas - population

51,000 SAIPAN (capital) (2018)

Median age

female

34.1 years (2020 est.)

male

31.8 years

total

32.8 years

Nationality

adjective

NA

noun

NA (US citizens)

Net migration rate

-13.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Population

51,659 (July 2021 est.)

Population distribution

approximately 90% of the population lives on the island of Saipan

Population growth rate

-0.36% (2021 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

improved: total

total: 97.7% of population

unimproved: total

total: 2.2% of population (2017 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.17 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.17 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.07 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.19 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.15 male(s)/female

at birth

1.16 male(s)/female

total population

1.13 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.66 children born/woman (2021 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0.36% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

91.9% of total population (2021)

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

Capital

etymology

the entire island of Saipan is organized as a single municipality and serves as the capital; according to legend, when the first native voyagers arrived in their outrigger canoes they found an uninhabited island; to them it was like an empty voyage, so they named the island "saay" meaning "a voyage," and "peel" meaning "empty"; over time Saaypeel - "island of the empty voyage" - became Saipan

geographic coordinates

15 12 N, 145 45 E

name

Saipan

time difference

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

Citizenship

see United States

Constitution

amendments

proposed by constitutional convention, by public petition, or by the Legislature; ratification of proposed amendments requires approval by voters at the next general election or special election; amendments proposed by constitutional convention or by petition become effective if approved by a majority of voters and at least two-thirds majority of voters in each of two senatorial districts; amendments proposed by the Legislature are effective if approved by majority vote; amended several times, last in 2012

history

partially effective 9 January 1978 (Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands); fully effective 4 November 1986 (Covenant Agreement)

Country name

abbreviation

CNMI

conventional long form

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

conventional short form

Northern Mariana Islands

etymology

formally claimed and named by Spain in 1667 in honor of the Spanish Queen, MARIANA of Austria

former

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District

Dependency status

commonwealth in political union with and under the sovereignty of the US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy

none (commonwealth in political union with the US)       

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate

chief of state

President Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021)

election results

Ralph TORRES elected governor; percent of vote - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 62.2%, Juan BABAUTA (Independent) 37.8%;  Arnold PALACIOS elected Lieutenant Governor

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 13 November 2018 (next to be held in 2022)

head of government

Governor Ralph TORRES (since 29 December 2015); Lieutenant Governor Victor HOCOG (since 29 December 2015)

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

a commonwealth in political union with and under the sovereignty of the US; republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches

Independence

none (commonwealth in political union with the US)

International organization participation

PIF (observer), SPC, UPU

Judicial branch

highest courts

Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (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 CNMI Supreme Court are referred to the US Supreme Court

judge selection and term of office

CNMI Supreme Court judges appointed by the governor and confirmed by the CNMI Senate; judges appointed for 8-year terms and another term if directly elected in a popular 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

the laws of the US apply, except for customs and some aspects of taxation

Legislative branch

description

bicameral Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature consists of:Senate (9 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)House of Representatives (20 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms)the Northern Mariana Islands directly elects 1 delegate to the US House of Representatives by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term

election results

CNMI Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 6, independent 3; composition - men 8, women 1, percent of women 11.1%CNMI House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 9, Democrat Party 8, independent 3delegate to US House of Representatives - seat won by independent; composition - 1 man

elections

CNMI Senate - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024)CNMI House of Representatives - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2022)Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives  - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2022)

note

note: the Northern Mariana Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives 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

National anthem

lyrics/music

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

name

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

note

note: adopted 1996; the Carolinian version of the song is known as "Satil Matawal Pacifico;" as a commonwealth of the US, in addition to the local anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)

National holiday

Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)

National symbol(s)

latte stone; national colors: blue, white

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party [Daniel QUITUGUA]Republican Party [James ADA]

Suffrage

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

Agricultural products

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

Budget

expenditures

344 million (2015 est.)

revenues

389.6 million (2016 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

3.7% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Debt - external

NA

Economic overview

The economy of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands(CNMI) has been on the rebound in the last few years, mainly on the strength of its tourism industry. In 2016, the CNMI’s real GDP increased 28.6% over the previous year, following two years of relatively rapid growth in 2014 and 2015. Chinese and Korean tourists have supplanted Japanese tourists in the last few years. 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, its political and commercial center. Investment is concentrated on hotels and casinos in Saipan, the CNMI’s largest island and home to about 90% of its population.Federal grants have also contributed to economic growth and stability. In 2016, federal grants amounted to $101.4 billion which made up 26% of the CNMI government’s total revenues. A small agriculture sector consists of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons.Legislation is pending in the US Congress to extend the transition period to allow foreign workers to work in the CNMI on temporary visas.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

Exports 2015

$520 million (2015 est.)

Exports 2016

$914 million (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities

scrap iron, scrap copper, scrap aluminum, computers, laboratory diagnostic equipment (2019)

Exports - partners

South Korea 73%, Peru 5% (2019)

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

73.6% (2016 est.)

government consumption

28.9% (2016 est.)

household consumption

43.1% (2016 est.)

imports of goods and services

-71.9% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

26.3% (2016 est.)

investment in inventories

NA (2016 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

1.7% (2016)

industry

58.1% (2016 est.)

services

40.2% (2016)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.242 billion (2016 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA

lowest 10%

NA

Imports

Imports 2015

$638 million (2015 est.)

Imports 2016

$893 million (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, trunks/cases, cars, watches, jewelry (2019)

Imports - partners

Hong Kong 29%, Japan 29%, Singapore 16%, South Korea 9% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate

NA

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2015

0.1% (2015 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016

0.3% (2016 est.)

Labor force

27,970 (2010 est.)

note

note: includes foreign workers

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

1.9%

industry

10%

services

88.1% (2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA

Public debt

Public debt 2017

7.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

note

note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy; data are in 2013 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2014

$845 million (2014 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2015

$933 million (2015 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2016

$1.242 billion (2016 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2014

3.5% (2014 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2015

3.8% (2015 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2016

28.6% (2016 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2014

$16,600 (2014 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2015

$18,400 (2015 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2016

$24,500 (2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

31.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2005

8% (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate 2010

11.2% (2010 est.)

Electricity - consumption

48,300 kWh (2009)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (January 2009 est.)

Electricity - production

60,600 kWh (2009)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2020)

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 users

percent of population

30.6% (July 2016 est.)

total

14,500 (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

wide variety of services available including dial-up and broadband Internet, mobile cellular, international private lines, payphones, phone cards, voicemail, and automatic call distribution systems; fixed-line teledensity 39 per 100 persons (2019)

general assessment

digital fiber-optic cables and satellites connect the islands to worldwide networks; demand for broadband growing given that mobile services are the source for Internet across region; future launch of 5G (2020)

international

country code - 1-670; landing points for the Atisa and Mariana-Guam submarine cables linking Mariana islands to Guam; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)

note

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

39.44 (2018 est.)

total subscriptions

22,000 (2018)

Airports

total

5 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2019)

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

total

3

Airports - with unpaved runways

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

total

2

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

by type

other 1 (2019)

total

1

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Saipan, Tinian, Rota

Roadways

total

536 km (2008)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Disputes - international

none

Climate

tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October

Environment - current issues

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

Land use

agricultural land

6.6% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 2.2% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 2.2% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 2.2% (2018 est.)

forest

65.5% (2018 est.)

other

27.9% (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

forest revenues

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0.36% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

91.9% of total population (2021)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

32,761 tons (2013 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually

11,794 tons (2016 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

36% (2016 est.)