Statistical information Northern Mariana Islands 1995

Northern Mariana Islands in the World
top of pageBackground: 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. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978.
top of pageLocation: Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinatesMap reference:
OceaniaAreaTotal area total: 477 km²
Land: 477 km²
Comparative: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,482 km
Maritime claimsExclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October
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)
ElevationNatural resources: arable land, fish
Land useArable land: 5% on Saipan
Permanent crops: NA%
Meadows and pastures: 19%
Forest and woodland: NA%
Other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA km²
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazardsGeographyNote: defense is the responsibility of the US
top of pagePopulation: 51,033 (July 1995 est.)
Growth rate: 3.04% (1995 est.)
NationalityNoun: NA
Adjective: NA
Ethnic groups: Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians, Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean
Languages: English, Chamorro, Carolinian
Note: 86% of population speaks a language other than English at home
Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found)
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 3.04% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 33.05 births/1000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 4.61 deaths/1000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1000 population (1995 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: contamination of groundwater on Saipan by raw sewage contributes to disease
Current issues natural hazards: active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)
Current issues international agreements: NA
Air pollutantsSex ratioMothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 37.96 deaths/1000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 67.43 years
Male: 65.53 years
Female: 69.48 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.69 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
Total population: 97%
Male: 97%
Female: 96%
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands
Government 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
Capital: Saipan
Administrative divisions: none
Dependent areasIndependence: none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
National holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
Constitution: Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986 and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Legal system: based on US system except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branchChief 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
Legislative branch: bicameral Legislature
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
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
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)
Judicial branch: Commonwealth Supreme Court, Superior Court, Federal District Court
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: ESCAP (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), SPC
Diplomatic representationFlag 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
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy 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.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: NA%
Real gdp per capita: $10,500 (1994 est.)
Gross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture products: coconuts, fruits, cattle, vegetables; food is a major import
Industries: tourism, construction, light industry, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor force: 7,476 total indigenous labor force, 2,699 unemployed; 21,188 foreign workers (1990)
By occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: NA%
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $190.4 million
Expenditures: $190.4 million, including capital expenditures of $19.1 million (FY94/95)
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Inflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $263.4 million (f.o.b. 1991 est.)
Commodoties: garments
Partners: NA
Imports: $392.4 million (c.i.f. 1991 est.)
Commodoties: food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products
Partners: US, Japan
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $NA
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: US currency is used
top of pageElectricityCapacity: 105,000 kW
Production: NA kWh
Production consumption per capita: NA kWh
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephonesTelephone system: NA telephones
Local: NA
Intercity: NA
International: 2 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth stations
Broadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresMilitary and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 8
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 3
With paved runways under 914 m: 3
With unpaved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1
HeliportsPipelinesRailwaysRoadwaysWaterways: none
Merchant marine: none
Ports and terminalstop of pageDisputes international: none
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs