Formerly a Japanese colony, the Northern Marianas became part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, administered by the USA under a mandate granted by the United Nations in 1947. Following a referendum in 1975, the Northern Mariana Islands became internally self-governing with a bicameral legislature (see
Government section, below). In 1984, President Reagan extended the American civil and political rights available to the residents of the Northern Marianas and two years later, after the end of the UN mandate, the territory acquired US Commonwealth status. At this point, the residents
were granted US citizenship.
Domestic politics traditionally mirrored the Republican–Democrat duopoly until the recent emergence of the Convenant Party, which is independent of both the major US parties. At the most recent elections held in November 2001, the Republican candidate, Juan Babauta, won with 43 per cent of the poll. However, at the most recent poll for the local House of Representatives, the Covenant Party was returned as the largest party.
The islands face significant social and economic problems that are largely attributable to the rapid growth of the population in the last two decades and the lack both of adequate employment opportunities and infrastructure.
GovernmentThe constitution, which came into operation in January 1978, allows for an executive governor and a bicameral legislature consisting of an 18-seat House of Representatives and a nine-member Senate.
EconomyFruit, vegetables, beef and pork are produced in commercial quantities, with some being exported. Fisheries and copra (coconut meat) are other important industries in the agricultural sector. Manufacturing is dominated by textile production.
The economy is dominated overall, however, by the service sector, of which tourism is the principal component. The establishment of an air link with Japan gave a major boost to this sector. However, the lack of available workers led to the recruitment of large numbers of foreign workers (which accounts for the huge growth in the islands’ population).
Bilateral aid from the USA is still an important source of income for the government, particularly monies earmarked to develop the islands’ infrastructure. However, funding is declining as locally generated revenues have grown.
The Northern Marianas is a member of the Pacific Community.
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