NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS (commonwealth associated with the US) GEOGRAPHY Total area: 477 km2; land area: 477 km2; includes Saipan, Rota, and Tinian Comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,482 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm; Continental shelf: 200 m (depth); Exclusive 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: arable land 1%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures 19%; forest and woodland NA%; other NA% Environment: Mt. Pagan is an active volcano (last erupted in October 1988); subject to typhoons during the rainy season Note: strategic location 5,635 km west-southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and the Philippines PEOPLE Population: 23,494 (July 1991), growth rate 3.4% (1991) Birth rate: 43 births/1,000 population (1991) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1991) Net migration rate: - 3 migrants/1,000 population (1991) Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1991) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 70 years female (1991) Total fertility rate: 5.8 children born/woman (1991) Nationality: undetermined Ethnic divisions: Chamorro majority; Carolinians and other Micronesians; Spanish, German, Japanese admixtures Religion: Christian with a Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found Language: English, but Chamorro and Carolinian are also spoken in the home and taught in school Literacy: 96% (male 97%, female 96%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980) Labor force: 12,788 local; 18,799 foreign workers (1990 est.) Organized labor: NA GOVERNMENT Long-form name: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 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) Constitution: Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986 Legal system: NA National holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978) Executive branch: governor, lieutenant governor Legislative branch: bicameral Legislature consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State--President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989); Vice President Dan QUAYLE (since 20 January 1989); Head of Government--Governor Lorenzo I. DeLeon GUERRERO (since NA 1990); Lieutenant Governor Benjamin T. MANGLONA (since NA 1990) Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Alonzo IGISOMAR; Democratic Party, Felicidad OGUMORO Suffrage: universal at age 18; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Elections: Governor--last held on NA November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results--Lorenzo I. DeLeon GUERRERO, Republican Party, was elected governor; Senate--last held on NA November 1989 (next to be held November 1991); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(9 total) number of seats by party NA; House of Representatives--last held on NA November 1989 (next to be held November 1991); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(15 total) number of seats by party NA; US House of Representatives--last held NA November 1989 (next to be held NA); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(1 total) party of nonvoting delegate NA Member of: ESCAP (associate), SPC Diplomatic representation: none Flag: 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. GNP: $165 million, per capita $9,170; real growth rate NA% (1982) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $70.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987) Exports: $153.9 million (1989); commodities--manufactured goods, garments; partners--NA Imports: $313.7 million, a 43% increase over previous year (1989); commodities--NA; partners--NA External debt: none Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 25,000 kW capacity; 35 million kWh produced, 1,540 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tourism, construction, light industry, handicrafts Agriculture: coffee, coconuts, fruits, tobacco, cattle Economic aid: none Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September COMMUNICATIONS Highways: 300 km total (53 km primary, 55 km secondary, 192 km local) Ports: Saipan, Rota, Tinian 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 Telecommunications: stations--2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations DEFENSE FORCES Note: defense is the responsibility of the US