2024 Edition Primary

Background

Austronesian people settled the Northern Mariana Islands around 1500 B.C. These people became the indigenous Chamorro and were influenced by later migrations, including 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 the 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 the Chamorro from the Northern Mariana Islands to resettle there. By the time they returned, many other Micronesians, including Chuukese and Yapese, had already settled on their islands.In 1898, Spain ceded Guam to the US after 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 later administered them 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, which Guam rejected in 1969. In 1978, the Northern Mariana Islands was granted self-governance separate from the rest of the TTPI, and in 1986, islanders were granted US citizenship, with the territory coming 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

Agrihan Volcano 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

22.1% (male 6,066/female 5,231)

15-64 years

67.7% (male 18,206/female 16,377)

65 years and over

10.2% (2024 est.) (male 2,772/female 2,466)

Birth rate

15.7 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Current health expenditure

NA

Death rate

5.7 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

14.3

potential support ratio

7 (2021)

total dependency ratio

46

youth dependency ratio

31.7

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: NA

improved: total

total: 100% of population

improved: urban

urban: NA

unimproved: rural

rural: NA

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: NA

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.)

Gross reproduction rate

1.18 (2024 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

9 deaths/1,000 live births

male

14.4 deaths/1,000 live births

total

11.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

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

79.5 years

male

75 years

total population

77.1 years (2024 est.)

Literacy

female

NA

male

NA

total population

NA

Major urban areas - population

51,000 SAIPAN (capital) (2018)

Median age

female

33.2 years

male

31.8 years

total

32.4 years (2024 est.)

Nationality

adjective

NA

noun

NA (US citizens)

Net migration rate

-13.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Physician density

NA

Population

female

24,074 (2024 est.)

male

27,044

total

51,118

Population distribution

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

Population growth rate

-0.34% (2024 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: NA

improved: total

total: 97.9% of population

improved: urban

urban: NA

unimproved: rural

rural: NA

unimproved: total

total: 2.1% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: NA

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.16 male(s)/female

15-64 years

1.11 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.12 male(s)/female

at birth

1.17 male(s)/female

total population

1.12 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.56 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

92.1% of total population (2023)

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, Washington, DC

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)

election results

2022: Arnold PALACIOS elected governor in second round; percent of vote in first round - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 38.8%; Arnold PALACIOS (independent) 32.2%, Tina SABLAN (Democrat) 28%; percent of vote in second round - Arnold PALACIOS 54%, Ralph TORRES 46%; David APATANG (independent) elected lieutenant governor2018: 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 8 November 2022 with a runoff held on 25 November 2022 (next to be held in 2026)

head of government

Governor Arnold PALACIOS (since 9 January 2023)

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 mwáár or head lei (wreath); blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the star represents the Commonwealth; the Chamorro latte stone and the Carolinian mwáár (head lei) represent elements of Marianas culture; the mwáár is composed of the flowers from four flowering plants: flores mayo (Plumeria), ylang-ylang or langilang (Cananga odorata), angagha or peacock flower (Caesalpinia pulcherrima), and teibwo or Pacific basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

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 court(s)

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 6, women 3, percentage women 33.3%CNMI House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 9, Democrat Party 8, independent 3; composition - men 17, women 3, percentage women 15%; total Commonwealth Legislature percentage women 20.7%Northern Mariana Islands delegate to US House of Representatives - seat won by independent; composition - 1 man

elections

CNMI Senate - last held on 8 November 2020 (next to be held on 5 November 2024)CNMI House of Representatives - last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held on 5 November 2024)Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives - last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held on 5 November 2024)

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

Democratic PartyRepublican Party

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.)

Economic overview

US Pacific island commonwealth economy; growing Chinese and Korean tourist destination; hit hard by 2018 typhoon; dependent on energy imports; exempt from some US labor and immigration laws; longstanding garment production

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

Exports 2018

$660 million (2018 est.)

Exports 2019

$500 million (2019 est.)

Exports 2020

$128 million (2020 est.)

note

note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - commodities

scrap iron, refined petroleum, scrap copper, hydraulic engines, integrated circuits, peas, scrap aluminum (2021)

Exports - partners

South Korea 48%, Thailand 9%, Germany 6%, Cyprus 6%, India 6% (2022)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

14.9% (2020 est.)

government consumption

28.9% (2016 est.)

household consumption

75.1% (2020 est.)

imports of goods and services

-62.5% (2020 est.)

investment in fixed capital

26.3% (2016 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

1.7% (2016)

industry

58.1% (2016 est.)

services

40.2% (2016)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$858 million (2020 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Imports

Imports 2018

$754 million (2018 est.)

Imports 2019

$735 million (2019 est.)

Imports 2020

$536 million (2020 est.)

note

note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Singapore 42%, Japan 20%, South Korea 16%, Hong Kong 7%, Taiwan 3% (2022)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

4.3% (2014 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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.)

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

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2018

-19.27% (2018 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2019

-11.32% (2019 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2020

-29.68% (2020 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.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

from coal and metallurgical coke

0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas

0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

total emissions

0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Coal

consumption

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

production

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Natural gas

consumption

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

exports

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

production

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

crude oil estimated reserves

0 barrels (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

2,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)

total petroleum production

0 bbl/day (2021 est.)

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

25.1% (2021 est.)

total

12,299 (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

fixed-line teledensity is 40 per 100 persons; mobile cellular subscriptions are 28 per 100 (2021)

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; as of April 2024 the Northern Mariana Islands Broadband Policy and Development Office (BPD) received an award of $81 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program; CNMI submitted its BEAD Five-Year Action Plan to NTIA; this plan aims to improve Internet services in the Commonwealth by outlining strategies for enhancing Internet accessibility and affordability for all members of the CNMI community (2024)

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)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

40 (2021 est.)

total subscriptions

20,000 (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

28 (2004)

total subscriptions

20,474 (2004 est.)

Airports

4 (2024)

Heliports

7 (2024)

Ports

key ports

Rota, Saipan, Tinian

ports with oil terminals

1

small

1

total ports

3 (2024)

very small

2

Roadways

total

536 km (2008)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

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

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

92.1% of total population (2023)

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.)