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.

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

• 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

agricultural land:

6.6%;

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

forest:

65.5%

other:

27.9% (2011 est.)

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

noun:

NA (US citizens)

adjective:

NA

at birth:

1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years:

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years:

1.28 male(s)/female

25-54 years:

0.73 male(s)/female

55-64 years:

1.14 male(s)/female

65 years and over:

0.92 male(s)/female

total population:

0.93 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

conventional long form:

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

conventional short form:

Northern Mariana Islands

abbreviation:

CNMI

former:

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District

etymology:

formally claimed and named by Spain in 1667 in honor of the Spanish Queen, MARIANA of Austria

name:

Saipan

geographic coordinates:

15 12 N, 145 45 E

time difference:

UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

• 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

• partially effective 9 January 1978 (Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands);
• fully effective 4 November 1986 (Covenant Agreement);
• amended several times, last in 2012 (2016)

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

chief of state:

President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)

head of government:

Governor Eloy S. INOS (since 20 February 2013); Lieutenant Governor Ralph TORRES (since 20 February 2013)

cabinet:

Cabinet appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate

elections/appointments:

• president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state;
• president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term);
• under the US Constitution, residents of the Northern Mariana Islands do not vote in elections for US president and vice president;
• however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections;
• governor directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed;
• election last held on 4 November 2014 with a runoff on 21 November 2014 (next to be held in 2018)

election results:

• Eloy S. INOS reelected governor;
• percent of vote in runoff - Eloy S. INOS (Republican) 57%, Heinz HOFSCHNEIDER (Republican) 43%;
• Ralph TORRES reelected lieutenant governor

note: Benigno R. FITIAL was impeached by House of Representatives on 11-12 February 2013 and resigned on 20 February 2013; Eloy INOS (Republican) sworn in as governor the same day

highest court(s):

• Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or CNMI (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices);
• US Federal District Court (consists of 1 judge);
• note - US Federal District Court jurisdiction limited to US federal laws;
• appeals beyond the Northern Mariana Islands Supreme Court are referred to the US Supreme Court

judge selection and term of office:

• judges of the Supreme Court of the CNMI appointed by the governor and confirmed by the CNMI Senate;
• judges appointed for 8-year terms and can serve another term if approved through voter election;
• US Federal District Court judges appointed by the US president and confirmed by the US Senate;
• judges appointed for renewable 10-year terms

subordinate courts:

Superior Court

• Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]
• Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]
• Republican Party [Juan S. REYES]

• 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

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

agriculture:

1.9%

industry:

10%

services:

88.1% (2010 est.)

lowest 10%:

NA%

highest 10%:

NA%

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