Introduction
Background
Under US administration as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s to forge closer links with the US instead of seeking independence. In 1986, islanders were granted US citizenship, with the territory coming under US sovereignty as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
Geography
Area
total: 464 sq km
land: 464 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October
Natural resources
arable land, fish
People and Society
Population
total: 51,118
male: 27,044
female: 24,074 (2024 est.)
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% (includes Carolinian (official), 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)
Population growth rate
-0.34% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
a commonwealth in political union with and under the sovereignty of the US; republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches
Capital
name: Saipan
Executive branch
chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021)
head of government: Governor Arnold PALACIOS (since 9 January 2023)
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
Economy
Economic overview
US Pacific island commonwealth economy; growing Chinese and Korean tourist destination; hit hard by 2018 typhoon; dependent on energy imports; exempt from some US labor and immigration laws; longstanding garment production
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.242 billion (2016 est.)
$933 million (2015 est.)
$845 million (2014 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$24,500 (2016 est.)
$18,400 (2015 est.)
$16,600 (2014 est.)
Agricultural products
vegetables and melons, fruits and nuts; ornamental plants; livestock, poultry, eggs; fish and aquaculture products
Industries
tourism, banking, construction, fishing, handicrafts, other services
Exports
$128 million (2020 est.)
$500 million (2019 est.)
$660 million (2018 est.)
Exports - partners
South Korea 48%, Thailand 9%, Germany 6%, Cyprus 6%, India 6% (2022)
Exports - commodities
scrap iron, refined petroleum, scrap copper, hydraulic engines, integrated circuits, peas, scrap aluminum (2021)
Imports
$536 million (2020 est.)
$735 million (2019 est.)
$754 million (2018 est.)
Imports - partners
Singapore 42%, Japan 20%, South Korea 16%, Hong Kong 7%, Taiwan 3% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, trunks/cases, cars, watches, jewelry (2019)
Page last updated: Wednesday, June 26, 2024
