world
factbook
Northern Mariana Islands
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
15.12° N, 145. 45° E
Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

area

464 sq km
land
464 sq km
water
0 sq km

land boundaries

0 km

coastline

1,482 km

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
highest point
unnamed elevation on Agrihan
965

natural resources

  • arable land
  • fish

land use

arable land
2.2 %
permanent crops
2.2 %
permanent pasture
2.2 %
forest
65.5 %
other
27.9 %

population distribution

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

people

population

  • 51,433
  • 210
    global rank

nationality

  • NA (US citizens)
    noun
  • NA
    adjective

ethnic groups

Asian
50 %
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
34.9 %
other
2.5 %
two or more ethnicities or races
12.7 %

languages

  • Philippine languages
  • Chamorro
    official
  • English
    official
  • other Pacific island languages
  • Chinese
  • other Asian languages
  • other

religions

  • Christian

birth rate

  • 15.1
    per 1,000 population
  • 118
    global rank

death rate

  • 5.3
    per 1,000 population
  • 192
    global rank

urban population

91.8 %

major urban areas

  • Saipan
    pop. 51,000

life expectancy

  • 76.1
    total population
  • 105
    global rank
74
male
78.5
female

government

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

Saipan
15.12 N, 145.45 E

independence

national holidays

  • Commonwealth Day
    8 January

legal system

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

age of suffrage

18

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 colors

  • blue
  • white

national anthem

"Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi" (In the Middle of the Sea)

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

1,242,000,000 USD
2016

agriculture products

  • vegetables
  • melons
  • fruits
  • nuts
  • ornamental plants
  • livestock
  • poultry
  • eggs
  • fish
  • aquaculture products

budget

  • 389,600,000
    revenue (USD)
  • 344,000,000
    expenditures (USD)

communications

broadcast media

1 TV broadcast station on Saipan; multi-channel cable TV services are available on Saipan; 9 licensed radio broadcast stations (2009)

internet

.mp
country code

    users

  • 16,000
    total
  • 30.6
    % of population
  • 211
    global rank

energy

electricity access

100%
2016

transportation

air transport

    airports

  • 5
    total
  • 3
    paved

roadways

536 km
total length

military

This entry doesn't have any available military data.