Statistical information Northern Mariana Islands 1997
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 coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E
Map reference:
OceaniaAreaTotal: 477 km²
Land: 477 km²
Water: 0 km²
Note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
Comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
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
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m
Natural resources: arable land, fish
Land useArable land: 21%
Permanent crops: NA%
Permanent pastures: 19%
Forests and woodland: NA%
Other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA km²
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)
GeographyNote: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean
top of pagePopulation: 53,552 (July 1997 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 rateBirth rateDeath rateNet migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1000 population (1997 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: contamination of groundwater on Saipan by raw sewage contributes to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt 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 population: NA male(s)/female
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rateLife expectancy at birthTotal population: NA
Male: NA
Female: NA
Total fertility rateContraceptive 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 expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 97%
Male: 97%
Female: 96% (1980 est.)
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; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature
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 of the US 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)
Cabinet: NA
Elections: governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held in NA November 1993 (next to be held NA November 1997)
Election results: Froilan C. TENORIO elected governor of Northern Mariana Islands; percent of vote - Froilan C. TENORIO (Democrat) 56%
Legislative branch: bicameral Legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (18 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)
Elections: Senate - last held NA November 1993 (next to be held NA November 1997); House of Representatives - last held NA November 1995 (next to be held NA November 1997)
Election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA (Republicans retained a majority of the seats); House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA (Republicans retained a majority of the seats)
Note: the Commonwealth does not have a nonvoting delegate in Congress; instead, it has an elected official or "resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats by party - Republican 1 (Juan N. BABAUTA)
Judicial branch: Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: ESCAP (associate), 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, surrounded by a wreath
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. Since 1992, funding has been extended one year at a time. The commonwealth received $27.7 million from FY93/94 through FY95/96. For FY96/97 through FY02/03, funding of $11 million will be provided for infrastructure, with an equal local match. 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 pppGross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: NA%
Industry: NA%
Services: NA%
Agriculture products: coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle
Industries: tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor forceTotal: 7,476 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 22,560 foreign workers (1995)
By occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 15% (residents)
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)
Public debtTaxes and other revenuesRevenueFiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Current account balanceInflation 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: NA
Commodities: garments
Partners: NA
Imports: NA
Commodities: 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 pageElectricity accessElectricity production: NA kWh
Electricity consumptionPer capita: NA kWh
Electricity exportsElectricity importsElectricity installed generating capacityElectricity transmission distribution lossesElectricity generation sourcesPetroleumRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones fixed linesTelephones mobile cellularTelephone systemDomestic: NA
International: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Broadcast mediaInternet country codeInternet usersBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresMilitary and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 5 (1996 est.)
With paved runways total: 4
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 2
With paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.)
With unpaved runways total: 1
With unpaved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Airports with paved runwaysTotal: 4
2438 to 3047 m: 1
15-24 to 2437 m: 2
Under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Airports with unpaved runwaysTotal: 1
2438 to 3047 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1996 est.)
PipelinesRailways: 0 km
RoadwaysWaterways: none
Merchant marine: none
Ports and terminalstop of pageDisputes international: none
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs