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(opens in new window) 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. 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 total: 477 sq
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 level
terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m arable land, fish arable land:
13.04% 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 78,252 (July 2004 est.) Chamorro, Carolinians and other
Micronesians, Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean Christian (Roman Catholic majority,
although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found) English, Chamorro, Carolinian 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 Saipan none (commonwealth in political union with
the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the
US Government, but there are four municipalities at the second order;
Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian none (commonwealth in political union with
the US) Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
Covenant Agreement effective 4 November
1986 and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands effective 1 January 1978 based on US system, except for customs,
wages, immigration laws, and taxation The economy benefits substantially from
financial assistance from the US. The rate of funding has declined as
locally generated government revenues have grown. The key tourist industry
employs about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of
GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries have exceeded
one-half million in recent years, but financial difficulties in Japan have
caused a temporary slowdown. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle
ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and
melons. Garment production is by far the most important industry with
employment of 17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US
under duty and quota exemptions. 1.2% (1997 est.) 6,006 total indigenous labor force; 2,699
unemployed; 28,717 foreign workers (June 1995) coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle
tourism, construction, garments,
handicrafts garments food, construction equipment and
materials, petroleum products US dollar (USD) 21,000 (2000) 3,000 (2000) general assessment:
NA total: 362 km
Saipan, Tinian none 6 (2003 est.) total: 3 total: 3 1 (2003 est.) |
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