Northern Mariana Islands | Facts & Information

Map of Northern Mariana Islands

Facts & Figures

• Commonwealth of the Northern   Mariana Islands

  Status: Commonwealth

  Governor: Ralph Torres (2015)

  Capital: Chalan Kanoa (on Saipan)

  Total area: 184 sq mi (477 sq km)

  Population (2014 est.): 51,483 (growth rate: 1.13%); birth rate: 18.94/1000; infant mortality: 5.5/1000; life expectancy: 77.64

  Languages: Philippine languages 32.8%, Chamorro (official) 24.1%, English (official) 17%, other Pacific island languages 10.1%, Chinese 6.8%, other Asian languages 7.3%, other 1.9% (2010 est.)

  Ethnicity/race: 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.)

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

  National Holiday: Commonwealth Day, January 8

  Literacy rate: 97% (1980 est.)

  Monetary unit: U.S. dollar

  Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2010 est.): $733 million; note: GDP numbers reflect U.S. spending; per capita $13,600. Real growth rate: n.a. Inflation: -2.7% (2012 est.). Unemployment: 11.2 (2010). Arable land: 2.17%. Agriculture: coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle. Labor force: 38,450 (includes nearly 29,000 foreign workers) (2005). Industries: tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts. Natural resources: arable land, fish. Exports: $98.2 (2008): garments. Imports: $214.4 (2001).: food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products. Major trading partners: U.S., Japan (2004).

  Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 21,000 (1996); mobile cellular: 1,200 (1995). Broadcast media: 1 TV broadcast station on Saipan; multi-channel cable TV services are available on Saipan; 9 licensed radio broadcast stations (2009). Internet hosts: 17 (2012). Internet users: n.a.

  Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Roadways: total: 536 km (2008); paved: n.a. km; unpaved: n.a. km. Waterways: none. Ports and harbors: Saipan, Tinian, Rota. Airports: 5 (2013).

  International disputes: none.

  Major sources and definitions