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.

Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

15 12 N, 145 45 E

Oceania

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

0 km

1,482 km

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

southern islands are limestone with flat terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic

arable land, fish

arable land 2.2%; permanent crops 2.2%; permanent pasture 2.2%

1 sq km (2011)

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

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

strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean

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.)

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.)

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

52,344 (July 2015 est.)

2.18% (2015 est.)

18.32 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

3.71 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

7.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

SAIPAN (capital) 49,000 (2014)

1.98 children born/woman (2015 est.)

urban: 97.5% of population

rural: 97.5% of population

total: 97.5% of population

urban: 2.5% of population

rural: 2.5% of population

total: 2.5% of population (2015 est.)

urban: 79.7% of population

rural: 79.7% of population

total: 79.7% of population

urban: 20.3% of population

rural: 20.3% of population

total: 20.3% of population (2015 est.)

NA

NA

NA

commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs

commonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature

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

none (commonwealth in political union with the US)

Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)

partially effective 1 January 1978 (Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands); fully effective 4 November 1986 (Covenant Agreement); amended several times, last in 2012 (2012)

US system applies, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation

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

Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]

Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]

Republican Party [Juan S. REYES]

NA

PIF (observer), SPC, UPU

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

latte stone; national colors: blue, white

The Northern Mariana Islands' economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. In fiscal year 2013, federal grants accounted for 35.4% of the Commonwealth’s total revenues. A small agriculture sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. The Commonwealth’s economy continued to recover in 2013. Real GDP increased 4.4%, following a 2.1% gain in 2012. Economic growth in 2013 reflected increases in consumer spending and exports of services, mainly spending by foreign tourists. Tourism continued to grow in 2013, after posting double-digit growth in 2012. The tourist industry employs approximately a quarter of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of GDP. 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, it’s political and commercial center.

$682 million (2013 est.)

$665 million (2012)

$649 million (2011)

$1.232 billion (2013 est.)

4.5% (2013)

2.1% (2012)

-6.8% (2011)

$13,300 (2013 est.)

$12,900 (2012)

$12,400 (2011)

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

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

NA%

27,970

11.2% (2010 est.)

8% (2005 est.)

NA%

20% of GDP (2013 est.)

-0.5% of GDP (2013 est.)

1 October - 30 September

-2.5% (2013 est.)

1.1% (2012)

$288 million (2013)

$268 million (2012)

garments

$606 million (2013)

$531 million (2012)

food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products

$NA

the US dollar is used

60,600 kWh (January 2009)

48,300 kWh (January 2009)

0 kWh (January 2009 est.)

0 kWh (January 2009 est.)

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

AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 1 (2005)

1 (on Saipan; in addition, 2 cable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (2006)

.mp

5 (2013)

1 (2013)

1 (2013)

defense is the responsibility of the US

none