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. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 1,482 km

Maritime claims
Contiguous zone: 12 nm
Continental shelf: 200 m
Extended economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 3 nm

Climate: tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to July, 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 meters (Mt. Tagpochu on Saipan)

Natural resources: arable land, fish

Land use: 1% arable land; NA% permanent crops; 19% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US

Population: 22,719 (July 1990), growth rate 3.4% (1990)

Nationality: undetermined

Ethnic groups: Chamorro majority; Carolinians and other Micronesians; Spanish, German, Japanese admixtures

Languages: English, but Chamorro and Carolinian are also spoken in the home and taught in school

Religions: Christian with a Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found

Birth rate: 43 births/1000 population (1990)

Death rate: 6 deaths/1000 population (1990)

Net migration rate: - 3 migrants/1000 population (1990)

Environment
Current issues: Mt. Pagan is an active volcano (last erupted in October 1988; subject to typhoons during the rainy season

Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1000 live births (1990)

Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 70 years female (1990)

Total fertility rate: 5.8 children born/woman (1990)

Literacy: NA%

Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Government type: commonwealth associated with the US and administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Capital: Saipan

Administrative divisions: none

Independence: none (commonwealth associated with the US)

National holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)

Constitution: Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986

Legal system: NA

Suffrage: universal at age 18; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch: Chief of State--President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989; Vice President Dan QUAYLE (since 20 January 1989; Head of Government--Governor Pedro P. TENORIO (since 1978; Lieutenant Governor Pedro A. TENORIO (since NA)

Legislative branch: bicameral Legislature consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none

Flag 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

Economy overview: The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. An agreement for the years 1986 to 1992 entitles the islands to $228 million for capital development, government operations, and special programs. Another major source of income is the tourist industry, which employs about 10% of the work force. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Industry is small scale in nature--mostly handicrafts and fish processing.

Agriculture products: coffee, coconuts, fruits, tobacco, cattle

Industries: tourism, construction, light industry, handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: 17,533, including 10,000 foreign workers (1988 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $70.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987)

Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September

Exports: $NA
Commodities: vegetables, beef, pork
Partners: NA

Imports: $NA
Commodities: NA
Partners: NA

Debt external: $NA

Exchange rates: US currency is used

Electricity
Capacity: 25,000 kW capacity; 35 million kWh produced, 1,640 kWh per capita (1989)

Airports: 6 total, 4 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m