Northern Mariana Islands :: Australia-Oceania
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: 196
Area - comparative:
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,482 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
12
nm
exclusive economic zone:
200
nm
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:
51,433
(July 2020 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:
25.02%
(male 6,937/female 5,934)
15-24 years:
16.28%
(male 4,518/female 3,857)
25-54 years:
37.44%
(male 9,934/female 9,325)
55-64 years:
14.01%
(male 3,921/female 3,286)
65 years and over:
7.23%
(male 1,988/female 1,733)
(2020 est.)
Median age:
total:
32.8 years
male:
31.8 years
female:
34.1 years
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Population growth rate:
-0.55%
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 225
Birth rate:
15.1 births/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Death rate:
5.3 deaths/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Net migration rate:
-15.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222
Population distribution:
approximately 90% of the population lives on the island of Saipan
Urbanization:
urban population:
91.8% of total population
(2020)
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:
1.16 male(s)/female
0-14 years:
1.17 male(s)/female
15-24 years:
1.17 male(s)/female
25-54 years:
1.07 male(s)/female
55-64 years:
1.19 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
1.15 male(s)/female
total population:
1.13 male(s)/female
(2020 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total:
11.5 deaths/1,000 live births
male:
13.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female:
9 deaths/1,000 live births
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
76.1 years
male:
74 years
female:
78.5 years
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Total fertility rate:
2.7 children born/woman
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Drinking water source:
improved:
total:
100% of population
unimproved:
total:
0% of population
(2017 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved:
total:
97.7% of population
unimproved:
total:
2.2% of population
(2017 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)
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
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
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 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024) ++ CNMI House of Representatives - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2022) ++ Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2022)
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 9, Democrat Party 8, independent 3 ++ delegate to US House of Representatives - seat won by independent; 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
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
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
Economic 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 real growth rate:
28.6%
(2016 est.)
3.8%
(2015 est.)
3.5%
(2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.3%
(2016 est.)
0.1%
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
GDP (purchasing power parity) - real:
$1.242 billion
(2016 est.)
$933 million
(2015 est.)
$845 million
(2014 est.)
note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy; data are in 2013 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.242 billion
(2016 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$24,500
(2016 est.)
$18,400
(2015 est.)
$16,600
(2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:
1.7%
(2016)
industry:
58.1%
(2016 est.)
services:
40.2%
(2016)
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.)
Ease of Doing Business Index scores:
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: 204
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: 158
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
Exports:
$914 million
(2016 est.)
$520 million
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Exports - commodities:
garments
Imports:
$893 million
(2016 est.)
$638 million
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
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%
(2020)
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
Telephones - fixed lines:
total subscriptions:
20,398
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
39.44
(2019 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Telecommunication systems:
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
(2020)
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; fixed-line teledensity 39 per 100 persons
(2019)
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)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
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: 211
Transportation
Airports:
5
(2013)
country comparison to the world: 182
Airports - with paved runways:
total:
3
(2019)
2,438 to 3,047 m:
2
1,524 to 2,437 m:
1
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: 194
Merchant marine:
total:
1
by type:
other 1
(2019)
country comparison to the world: 179
Ports and terminals:
major seaport(s):
Saipan, Tinian, Rota
Military and Security
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international:
none
