Northern Mariana Islands

Introduction

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, and came into force on 24 March 1976. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978.

Geography

Location

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 references

Oceania

Area

total: 464 sq km
land: 464 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
country comparison to the world: 197

Area - comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

1,482 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm

Climate

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

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

Elevation

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed elevation on Agrihan 965 m

Natural resources

arable land, fish

Land use

agricultural land: 6.6% (2011 est.)
arable land: 2.2% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 2.2% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 2.2% (2011 est.)
forest: 65.5% (2011 est.)
other: 27.9% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land

1 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

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

Natural hazards

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

Environment - current issues

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

Geography - note

strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean

People and Society

Population

51,994 (July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209

Nationality

noun: NA (US citizens)
adjective: 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.)

Languages

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

Religions

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 26.17%(male 7,355 /female 6,252)
15-24 years: 15.71%(male 4,365 /female 3,804)
25-54 years: 39.14%(male 10,545 /female 9,805)
55-64 years: 13%(male 3,701 /female 3,057)
65 years and over: 5.98%(male 1,672 /female 1,438) (2018 est.)
population pyramid:

Median age

total: 33.4 years (2018 est.)
male: 32.4 years
female: 34.3 years
country comparison to the world: 94

Population growth rate

-0.52% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222

Birth rate

14.9 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

Death rate

4.9 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198

Net migration rate

-15.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 221

Population distribution

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

Urbanization

urban population: 91.7% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.29% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)

Major urban areas - population

51,000 SAIPAN (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.17 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.18 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.21 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.16 male(s)/female
total population: 1.13 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 14.6 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.6 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 111

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.6 years (2018 est.)
male: 73.6 years
female: 78.1 years
country comparison to the world: 105

Total fertility rate

2.76 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 97.5% of population
rural: 97.5% of population
total: 97.5% of population
unimproved: urban: 2.5% of population
rural: 2.5% of population
total: 2.5% of population (2015 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 79.7% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 79.7% of population (2015 est.)
total: 79.7% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 20.3% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 20.3% of population (2015 est.)
total: 20.3% of population (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

Education expenditures

NA

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District
abbreviation: CNMI
etymology: formally claimed and named by Spain in 1667 in honor of the Spanish Queen, MARIANA of Austria

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

Government type

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

Capital

name: Saipan
geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E
time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

Independence

none (commonwealth in political union with the US)

National holiday

Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)

Constitution

history: partially effective 9 January 1978 (Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands); fully effective 4 November 1986 (Covenant Agreement)
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 (2017)

Legal system

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

Citizenship

see United States

Suffrage

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

Executive branch

chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2017); Vice President Michael R. PENCE (since 20 January 2017)
head of government: Governor Ralph TORRES (since 29 December 2015); Lieutenant Governor Victor HOCOG (since 29 December 2015)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate
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)
election results: Ralph TORRES elected governor; percent of vote - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 62.2%, Juan BABAUTA (Independent) 37.8%;  Arnold PALACIOS elected Lieutenant Governor

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
elections:
CNMI Senate - last held on 8 November 2016 (next to be held in November 2020)
CNMI House of Representatives - last held on 13 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020)
Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives  - last held on 13 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020)
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 13, independent 7; composition - men 17, women 3, percent of women 15%; note - total CNMI Legislature percent of women 13.8%

delegate to US House of Representatives - seat won by Democratic Party; composition - 1 man
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

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

Political parties and leaders

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

International organization participation

PIF (observer), SPC, UPU

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

National symbol(s)

latte stone; national colors: blue, white

National anthem

name: "Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi" (In the Middle of the Sea)
lyrics/music: Jose S. PANGELINAN [Chamoru], David PETER [Carolinian]/Wilhelm GANZHORN
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)

Economy

Economy - 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.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.242 billion (2016 est.)
$933 million (2015 est.)
$845 million (2014 est.)
note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy; data are in 2013 dollars
country comparison to the world: 203

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.242 billion(2016 est.) (2016 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

28.6% (2016 est.)
3.8% (2015 est.)
3.5% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$24,500 (2016 est.)
$18,400 (2015 est.)
$16,600 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 43.1% (2016 est.)
government consumption: 28.9% (2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 26.3% (2016 est.)
investment in inventories: NA (2016 est.)
exports of goods and services: 73.6% (2016 est.)
imports of goods and services: -71.9% (2016 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1.7% (2016)
industry: 58.1% (2016 est.)
services: 40.2% (2016)

Agriculture - products

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

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

NA

Labor force

27,970 (2010 est.)
note: includes foreign workers
country comparison to the world: 205

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 1.9%
industry: 10%
services: 88.1% (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.2% (2010 est.)
8% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152

Population below poverty line

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA

Budget

revenues: 389.6 million (2016 est.)
expenditures: 344 million (2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

31.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

3.7% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

Public debt

7.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.3% (2016 est.)
0.1% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21

Exports

$914 million (2016 est.)
$520 million (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163

Exports - commodities

garments

Imports

$893 million (2016 est.)
$638 million (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187

Imports - commodities

food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products

Debt - external

NA

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Electricity - production

60,600 kWh (2009)
country comparison to the world: 217

Electricity - consumption

48,300 kWh (2009)
country comparison to the world: 217

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182

Communications

Telephone system

general assessment: digital fiber-optic cables and satellites connect the islands to worldwide networks; future launch of 5G (2018)
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 (2018)
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)

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

total: 16,000
percent of population: 30.6% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207

Military and Security

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Transportation

Airports

5 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 182

Airports - with paved runways

total: 3 (2017)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 2 (2013)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Roadways

total: 536 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 188

Merchant marine

total: 1
by type: other 1 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 175

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Saipan, Tinian, Rota

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

none

Flag of Northern Mariana Islands