Northern Mariana Islands - MP - MNP - Australia and Oceania

Last updated: April 17, 2024
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Northern Mariana Islands Images

  • A view along the shoreline of Asuncion Island. Image courtesy of NOAA / Kevin Lino.

    A view along the shoreline of Asuncion Island. Image courtesy of NOAA / Kevin Lino.

  • The island of Saipan as seen from the International Space Station. Image courtesy of NASA.

    The island of Saipan as seen from the International Space Station. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • Bird Island Lookout at the north end of Saipan.

    Bird Island Lookout at the north end of Saipan.

  • Bird Island Sanctuary just off the northeast coast of Saipan. Photo courtesy of NOAA.

    Bird Island Sanctuary just off the northeast coast of Saipan. Photo courtesy of NOAA.

  • Lying on the central west coast, Garapan is Saipan’s largest village and the center of the tourism industry. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    Lying on the central west coast, Garapan is Saipan’s largest village and the center of the tourism industry. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • Entrance to American Memorial Park at Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    Entrance to American Memorial Park at Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • Memorial Court of Honor and Flag Circle at American Memorial Park in Garapan on the island of Saipan. The park honors the American and Marianas people who gave their lives during the Marianas Campaign of World War II. At the park, memorials stand in tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the US Servicemen and Chamorro and Carolinian civilians who were killed in the battles between the United States and Japan that took place on Saipan, Tinian, and the Philippine Sea in 1944. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    Memorial Court of Honor and Flag Circle at American Memorial Park in Garapan on the island of Saipan. The park honors the American and Marianas people who gave their lives during the Marianas Campaign of World War II. At the park, memorials stand in tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the US Servicemen and Chamorro and Carolinian civilians who were killed in the battles between the United States and Japan that took place on Saipan, Tinian, and the Philippine Sea in 1944. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • Flags at the Memorial Court of Honor and Flag Circle at American Memorial Park in Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    Flags at the Memorial Court of Honor and Flag Circle at American Memorial Park in Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • Flame tree blossom at the American Memorial Park at Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    Flame tree blossom at the American Memorial Park at Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • Coh trees line a grassy avenue leading to the Memorial Court of Honor and Flag Circle at American Memorial Park in Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    Coh trees line a grassy avenue leading to the Memorial Court of Honor and Flag Circle at American Memorial Park in Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • Scenic pathway at the American Memorial Park at Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    Scenic pathway at the American Memorial Park at Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • American Memorial and Carillon Bell Tower at American Memorial Park in Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    American Memorial and Carillon Bell Tower at American Memorial Park in Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • Marianas Memorial at American Memorial Park. Ten granite panels inscribed with 929 names of indigenous Chamorros and Carolinians who died during World War II. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    Marianas Memorial at American Memorial Park. Ten granite panels inscribed with 929 names of indigenous Chamorros and Carolinians who died during World War II. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • Micro Beach is adjacent to the American Memorial Park in Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    Micro Beach is adjacent to the American Memorial Park in Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • White sand beach on Saipan.

    White sand beach on Saipan.

  • Smiling Cove Marina. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

    Smiling Cove Marina. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.

  • Sign at Suicide Cliff - at the northern end of Saipan - where, at the conclusion of the Battle of Saipan (15 June to 9 July 1944), many Japanese defenders and civilians took their own lives rather than let themselves be captured by the American military.

    Sign at Suicide Cliff - at the northern end of Saipan - where, at the conclusion of the Battle of Saipan (15 June to 9 July 1944), many Japanese defenders and civilians took their own lives rather than let themselves be captured by the American military.

  • A view of the coastline in the Suicide Cliff area at the northern part of Saipan.

    A view of the coastline in the Suicide Cliff area at the northern part of Saipan.

  • Memorials at the site of Banzai Cliff.

    Memorials at the site of Banzai Cliff.

  • The pounding waters of the Pacific at Bazai Cliff on the northern coast of Saipan.

    The pounding waters of the Pacific at Bazai Cliff on the northern coast of Saipan.

  • Japanese war memorial and garden on Saipan.

    Japanese war memorial and garden on Saipan.

  • The US Army 27th Infantry Division Memorial on Saipan. The 27th Division was initially in Corps reserve and landed on Saipan on 16 June 1944 to support the 4th US Marine Division that had made the initial landings. The division continued to fight along side the 2nd and 4th US Marine divisions for the remainder of the battle.

    The US Army 27th Infantry Division Memorial on Saipan. The 27th Division was initially in Corps reserve and landed on Saipan on 16 June 1944 to support the 4th US Marine Division that had made the initial landings. The division continued to fight along side the 2nd and 4th US Marine divisions for the remainder of the battle.

  • A view of some of the tropical terrain on the island of Saipan.

    A view of some of the tropical terrain on the island of Saipan.

  • A view along the Saipan coastline.

    A view along the Saipan coastline.

  • A US Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules aircraft lands on Tinian Island's North Field runway, 30 May 2012, during Exercise Geiger Fury 2012. The aircraft was the first to land on the runway since 1947. Runways Baker, Charlie, Dog, and the historic Able - the runway used by the B-29 Enola Gay on its mission against Hiroshima - are slated to be restored by US Marines. Photo courtesy of US Marine Corps / Lance Cpl. Benjamin Pryer.

    A US Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules aircraft lands on Tinian Island's North Field runway, 30 May 2012, during Exercise Geiger Fury 2012. The aircraft was the first to land on the runway since 1947. Runways Baker, Charlie, Dog, and the historic Able - the runway used by the B-29 Enola Gay on its mission against Hiroshima - are slated to be restored by US Marines. Photo courtesy of US Marine Corps / Lance Cpl. Benjamin Pryer.

  • US Marines visit the historically important World War II B-29 base at North Field, Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, on 17 November 2015. During their visit the Marines learned about Operations Silverplate and Centerboard, code names for the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Marines were able to view the location of the two atomic bomb loading pits necessary to load the oversized nuclear bombs aboard the B-29’s. Photo courtesy of US Marine Corps / Gunnery Sgt. Justin Park.

    US Marines visit the historically important World War II B-29 base at North Field, Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, on 17 November 2015. During their visit the Marines learned about Operations Silverplate and Centerboard, code names for the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Marines were able to view the location of the two atomic bomb loading pits necessary to load the oversized nuclear bombs aboard the B-29’s. Photo courtesy of US Marine Corps / Gunnery Sgt. Justin Park.

  • An aerial view of a portion of the island of Rota in the Northern Marianas Islands. Rota is one of four municipalities and is located between Guam to the south and Tinian island to the north. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force/ Staff Sgt. Corey Hook.

    An aerial view of a portion of the island of Rota in the Northern Marianas Islands. Rota is one of four municipalities and is located between Guam to the south and Tinian island to the north. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force/ Staff Sgt. Corey Hook.

  • Satellite view of volcanic Pagan Island in the Marianas archipelago, which has been largely uninhabited ever since most of the residents were evacuated due to volcanic eruptions that began in 1981 and have continued intermittently since. Photo courtesy of NASA.

    Satellite view of volcanic Pagan Island in the Marianas archipelago, which has been largely uninhabited ever since most of the residents were evacuated due to volcanic eruptions that began in 1981 and have continued intermittently since. Photo courtesy of NASA.

  • Satellite view of Mount Pagan erupting in 2012. Photo courtesy of NASA.

    Satellite view of Mount Pagan erupting in 2012. Photo courtesy of NASA.

  • Aerial view of Pagan Island looking northeastward. South Pagan volcano (left) occupies the southwest end of Pagan Island. The ridge in the right foreground is the eroded rim of a 4-km-wide caldera inside which the conical South Pagan volcano was constructed. The elongated summit of South Pagan is cut by four craters. Eruptions of South Pagan volcano occurred during the 19th century, but it has been much less active than North Pagan volcano, the peak at the far center on the northeast tip of the island. Image courtesy of the US Navy.

    Aerial view of Pagan Island looking northeastward. South Pagan volcano (left) occupies the southwest end of Pagan Island. The ridge in the right foreground is the eroded rim of a 4-km-wide caldera inside which the conical South Pagan volcano was constructed. The elongated summit of South Pagan is cut by four craters. Eruptions of South Pagan volcano occurred during the 19th century, but it has been much less active than North Pagan volcano, the peak at the far center on the northeast tip of the island. Image courtesy of the US Navy.

  • NOAA Ship HI'IALAKAI seen offshore through the Togari Natural Arch at Pagan Island. Image courtesy of NOAA.

    NOAA Ship HI'IALAKAI seen offshore through the Togari Natural Arch at Pagan Island. Image courtesy of NOAA.

  • A view along the shoreline of Asuncion Island. Image courtesy of NOAA / Kevin Lino.

    A view along the shoreline of Asuncion Island. Image courtesy of NOAA / Kevin Lino.

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  • A view of two of the Mariana Islands as seen from the space shuttle - the south of Saipan and the northern tip of Tinian. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • The island of Saipan as seen from the International Space Station. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • Bird Island Lookout at the north end of Saipan.
  • Bird Island Sanctuary just off the northeast coast of Saipan. Photo courtesy of NOAA.
  • Lying on the central west coast, Garapan is Saipan’s largest village and the center of the tourism industry. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • Entrance to American Memorial Park at Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • Memorial Court of Honor and Flag Circle at American Memorial Park in Garapan on the island of Saipan. The park honors the American and Marianas people who gave their lives during the Marianas Campaign of World War II. At the park, memorials stand in tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the US Servicemen and Chamorro and Carolinian civilians who were killed in the battles between the United States and Japan that took place on Saipan, Tinian, and the Philippine Sea in 1944. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • Flags at the Memorial Court of Honor and Flag Circle at American Memorial Park in Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • Flame tree blossom at the American Memorial Park at Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • Coh trees line a grassy avenue leading to the Memorial Court of Honor and Flag Circle at American Memorial Park in Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • Scenic pathway at the American Memorial Park at Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • American Memorial and Carillon Bell Tower at American Memorial Park in Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • Marianas Memorial at American Memorial Park. Ten granite panels inscribed with 929 names of indigenous Chamorros and Carolinians who died during World War II. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • Micro Beach is adjacent to the American Memorial Park in Garapan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • White sand beach on Saipan.
  • Smiling Cove Marina. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
  • Sign at Suicide Cliff - at the northern end of Saipan - where, at the conclusion of the Battle of Saipan (15 June to 9 July 1944), many Japanese defenders and civilians took their own lives rather than let themselves be captured by the American military.
  • A view of the coastline in the Suicide Cliff area at the northern part of Saipan.
  • Memorials at the site of Banzai Cliff.
  • The pounding waters of the Pacific at Bazai Cliff on the northern coast of Saipan.
  • Japanese war memorial and garden on Saipan.
  • The US Army 27th Infantry Division Memorial on Saipan. The 27th Division was initially in Corps reserve and landed on Saipan on 16 June 1944 to support the 4th US Marine Division that had made the initial landings. The division continued to fight along side the 2nd and 4th US Marine divisions for the remainder of the battle.
  • A view of some of the tropical terrain on the island of Saipan.
  • A view along the Saipan coastline.
  • A US Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules aircraft lands on Tinian Island's North Field runway, 30 May 2012, during Exercise Geiger Fury 2012. The aircraft was the first to land on the runway since 1947. Runways Baker, Charlie, Dog, and the historic Able - the runway used by the B-29 Enola Gay on its mission against Hiroshima - are slated to be restored by US Marines. Photo courtesy of US Marine Corps / Lance Cpl. Benjamin Pryer.
  • US Marines visit the historically important World War II B-29 base at North Field, Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, on 17 November 2015. During their visit the Marines learned about Operations Silverplate and Centerboard, code names for the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Marines were able to view the location of the two atomic bomb loading pits necessary to load the oversized nuclear bombs aboard the B-29’s. Photo courtesy of US Marine Corps / Gunnery Sgt. Justin Park.
  • An aerial view of a portion of the island of Rota in the Northern Marianas Islands. Rota is one of four municipalities and is located between Guam to the south and Tinian island to the north. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force/ Staff Sgt. Corey Hook.
  • Satellite view of volcanic Pagan Island in the Marianas archipelago, which has been largely uninhabited ever since most of the residents were evacuated due to volcanic eruptions that began in 1981 and have continued intermittently since. Photo courtesy of NASA.
  • Satellite view of Mount Pagan erupting in 2012. Photo courtesy of NASA.
  • Aerial view of Pagan Island looking northeastward. South Pagan volcano (left) occupies the southwest end of Pagan Island. The ridge in the right foreground is the eroded rim of a 4-km-wide caldera inside which the conical South Pagan volcano was constructed. The elongated summit of South Pagan is cut by four craters. Eruptions of South Pagan volcano occurred during the 19th century, but it has been much less active than North Pagan volcano, the peak at the far center on the northeast tip of the island. Image courtesy of the US Navy.
  • NOAA Ship HI'IALAKAI seen offshore through the Togari Natural Arch at Pagan Island. Image courtesy of NOAA.
  • A view along the shoreline of Asuncion Island. Image courtesy of NOAA / Kevin Lino.

Northern Mariana Islands Factbook Data

Dependency status

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 22.61% (male 6,232/female 5,367)

15-64 years: 67.95% (male 18,367/female 16,490)

65 years and over: 9.43% (2023 est.) (male 2,560/female 2,279)
2023 population pyramid
This is the population pyramid for the Northern Mariana Islands. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

15 12 N, 145 45 E

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.17 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.16 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female

total population: 1.13 male(s)/female (2023 est.)

Heliports

7 (2024)

Natural hazards

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

Area - comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Background

The Northern Mariana Islands were settled by Austronesian people around 1500 B.C. These people became the indigenous Chamorro and were influenced by later migrations, including of Micronesians in the first century A.D., and island Southeast Asians around 900. Spanish explorer Ferdinand MAGELLAN sailed through the Mariana Islands in 1521 and Spain claimed them in 1565. Spain formally colonized the Mariana Islands in 1668 and administered the archipelago from Guam. Spain’s brutal repression of the Chamorro, along with new diseases and intermittent warfare, reduced the indigenous population by about 90% in the 1700s. With a similar dynamic occurring on Guam, Spain forced the Chamorro from the Northern Mariana Islands to resettle on Guam and prevented them from returning to their home islands. By the time the Northern Mariana Islands’ Chamorro returned, many other Micronesians, including Chuukese and Yapese, had already settled on their islands.

In 1898, Spain ceded Guam to the US following the Spanish-American War but sold the Northern Mariana Islands to Germany under the German-Spanish Treaty of 1899. Germany administered the territory from German New Guinea but took a hands-off approach to day-to-day life. Following World War I, Japan administered the islands under a League of Nations mandate. Japan focused on sugar production and brought in thousands of Japanese laborers, who quickly outnumbered the Chamorro on the islands. During World War II, Japan invaded Guam from the Northern Mariana Islands and used Marianan Chamorro as translators with Guamanian Chamorro, creating friction between the two Chamorro communities that continues to this day. The US captured the Northern Mariana Islands in 1944 after the Battle of Saipan and administered them post-World War II as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI).

On four occasions in the 1950s and 1960s, voters opted for integration with Guam, although Guam rejected it in 1969. In 1978, the Northern Mariana Islands was granted self-government separate from the rest of the TTPI and in 1986, islanders were granted US citizenship and the territory came under US sovereignty as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). In 2009, the CNMI became the final US territory to elect a nonvoting delegate to the US Congress.

Environment - current issues

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

Population below poverty line

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Exports - commodities

scrap iron, refined petroleum, scrap copper, hydraulic engines, integrated circuits, peas, scrap aluminum (2021)

Administrative divisions

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

Agricultural products

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

Budget

revenues: $389.6 million (2016 est.)

expenditures: $344 million (2015 est.)

Capital

name: Saipan

geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E

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

etymology: the entire island of Saipan is organized as a single municipality and serves as the capital; according to legend, when the first native voyagers arrived in their outrigger canoes they found an uninhabited island; to them it was like an empty voyage, so they named the island saay meaning "a voyage," and peel meaning "empty"; over time Saaypeel - "island of the empty voyage" - became Saipan

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, trunks/cases, cars, watches, jewelry (2019)

Climate

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

Coastline

1,482 km

Constitution

history: partially effective 9 January 1978 (Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands); fully effective 4 November 1986 (Covenant Agreement)

amendments: proposed by constitutional convention, by public petition, or by the Legislature; ratification of proposed amendments requires approval by voters at the next general election or special election; amendments proposed by constitutional convention or by petition become effective if approved by a majority of voters and at least two-thirds majority of voters in each of two senatorial districts; amendments proposed by the Legislature are effective if approved by majority vote; amended several times, last in 2012

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Executive branch

chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021)

head of government: Governor Arnold PALACIOS (since 9 January 2023); Lieutenant Governor David APATANG (since 9 January 2023)

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 8 November 2022 with a runoff held on 25 November 2022 (next to be held in 2026)

election results: Arnold PALACIOS elected governor in second round; percent of vote in first round - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 38.8%; Arnold PALACIOS (independent) 32.2%, Tina SABLAN (Democrat) 28%; percent of vote - Arnold PALACIOS 54%, Ralph TORRES 46%; David APATANG (independent) elected lieutenant governor

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

Flag description

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 mwáár or head lei (wreath); blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the star represents the Commonwealth; the Chamorro latte stone and the Carolinian mwáár (head lei) represent elements of Marianas culture; the mwáár is composed of the flowers from four flowering plants: flores mayo (Plumeria), ylang-ylang or langilang (Cananga odorata), angagha or peacock flower (Caesalpinia pulcherrima), and teibwo or Pacific basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

Independence

none (commonwealth in political union with the US)

Industries

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

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (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 CNMI Supreme Court are referred to the US Supreme Court

judge selection and term of office: CNMI Supreme Court judges appointed by the governor and confirmed by the CNMI Senate; judges appointed for 8-year terms and another term if directly elected in a popular 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

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 6.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 2.2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 2.2% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 2.2% (2018 est.)

forest: 65.5% (2018 est.)

other: 27.9% (2018 est.)

Legal system

the laws of the US apply, except for customs and some aspects of taxation

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

International organization participation

PIF (observer), SPC, UPU

National holiday

Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)

Nationality

noun: NA (US citizens)

adjective: NA

Natural resources

arable land, fish

Geography - note

strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean

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

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party [Daniel QUITUGUA]
Republican Party [James ADA]

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Saipan, Tinian, Rota

Suffrage

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

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: digital fiber-optic cables and satellites connect the islands to worldwide networks; demand for broadband growing given that mobile services are the source for Internet across region; future launch of 5G (2020)

domestic: fixed-line teledensity is 40 per 100 persons; mobile cellular subscriptions are 28 per 100 (2021)

international: country code - 1-670; landing points for the Atisa and Mariana-Guam submarine cables linking Mariana islands to Guam; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)

Terrain

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

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

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Country name

conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands

former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District

abbreviation: CNMI

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

Location

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

Map references

Oceania

Irrigated land

1 sq km (2012)

Internet country code

.mp

GDP (official exchange rate)

$858 million (2020 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Urbanization

urban population: 92.1% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.36% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030

Broadcast media

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

Drinking water source

improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

National anthem

name: "Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi" (In the Middle of the Sea)

lyrics/music: Jose S. PANGELINAN [Chamoru], David PETER [Carolinian]/Wilhelm GANZHORN

note: adopted 1996; the Carolinian version of the song is known as "Satil Matawal Pacifico;" as a commonwealth of the US, in addition to the local anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)
This is an audio of the National Anthem for Northern Mariana Islands. The national anthem is generally a patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.

Major urban areas - population

51,000 SAIPAN (capital) (2018)

Physicians density

NA

National symbol(s)

latte stone; national colors: blue, white

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 43.1% (2016 est.)

government consumption: 28.9% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 26.3% (2016 est.)

investment in inventories: (2016 est.) NA

exports of goods and services: 73.6% (2016 est.)

imports of goods and services: -71.9% (2016 est.)

Citizenship

see United States

Population distribution

approximately 90% of the population lives on the island of Saipan

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 97.9% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 2.1% of population (2020 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.)

Religions

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

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.)

Disputes - international

none identified

Elevation

highest point: Agrihan Volcano 965 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: none (commonwealth in political union with the US)       

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2021)

Current health expenditure

NA

Literacy

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 46

youth dependency ratio: 31.7

elderly dependency ratio: 14.3

potential support ratio: 7 (2021)

Imports - partners

Hong Kong 29%, Japan 29%, Singapore 16%, South Korea 9% (2019)

Exports - partners

South Korea 73%, Peru 5% (2019)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 32,761 tons (2013 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 11,794 tons (2016 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 36% (2016 est.)

Coal

production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

Natural gas

production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands

refined petroleum consumption: 2,100 bbl/day (2019 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands

crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands

Gross reproduction rate

1.2 (2023 est.)

Labor force

27,970 (2010 est.)

note: includes foreign workers

Net migration rate

-13.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Median age

total: 32.3 years (2023 est.)

male: 31.7 years

female: 33.3 years

Debt - external

NA

Public debt

7.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.59 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.2% (2010 est.)
8% (2005 est.)

Population

51,295 (2023 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

3.7% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Internet users

total: 12,299 (2021 est.)

percent of population: 25.1% (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Area

total: 464 sq km

land: 464 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian

Taxes and other revenues

31.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.242 billion (2016 est.)
$933 million (2015 est.)
$845 million (2014 est.)

note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy; data are in 2013 dollars

Roadways

total: 536 km (2008)

Airports

4 (2024)

Infant mortality rate

total: 12.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)

male: 14.8 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 20,474 (2004 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2004)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.3% (2016 est.)
0.1% (2015 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$24,500 (2016 est.)
$18,400 (2015 est.)
$16,600 (2014 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

0 Btu/person (2019 est.)

Death rate

5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Birth rate

15.6 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

NA

Imports

$893 million (2016 est.)
$638 million (2015 est.)

Exports

$914 million (2016 est.)
$520 million (2015 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 20,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40 (2021 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.8 years (2023 est.)

male: 74.8 years

female: 79.3 years

Real GDP growth rate

-29.68% (2020 est.)
-11.32% (2019 est.)
-19.27% (2018 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

4.3% (2014 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 1.7% (2016)

industry: 58.1% (2016 est.)

services: 40.2% (2016)

Revenue from forest resources

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Population growth rate

-0.35% (2023 est.)

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

elections:
CNMI Senate - last held on 8 November 2020 (next to be held on 5 November 2024)
CNMI House of Representatives - last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held on 5 November 2024)
Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives - last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held on 5 November 2024)

election results:
CNMI Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 6, independent 3; composition as of January 2023 - men 6, women 3, percentage women 33.3%

CNMI House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 9, Democrat Party 8, independent 3; composition as of January 2023 - men 17, women 3, percentage women 15%; total Commonwealth Legislature percentage women 20.7%

Northern Mariana Islands delegate to US House of Representatives - seat won by independent; composition - 1 man

note: the Northern Mariana Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the "Committee of the Whole House" but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote
Sources: