vote

Legislative branch: bicameral Legislature
Senate: elections last held NA November 1993 (next to be held NA
November 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9
total) Republicans retained a majority of the seats
House of Representatives: elections last held NA November 1993 (next
to be held NA November 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (18 total) Republicans retained a majority of the seats
US House of Representatives: the Commonwealth does not have a
nonvoting delegate in Congress; instead, it has an elected official
"resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats - (1 total)
Juan N. BABAUTA (Republican)

Judicial branch: Commonwealth Supreme Court, Superior Court, Federal
District Court

Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Benigno R. FITIAL,
Leader; Democratic Party, Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO, Chairman

Member of: ESCAP (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), SPC

Flag: blue with a white five-pointed star superimposed on the gray
silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in
building) in the center

@Northern Mariana Islands:Economy

Overview: The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance
from the US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated
government revenues have grown. An agreement for the years 1986 to
1992 entitled the islands to $228 million for capital development,
government operations, and special programs. A rapidly growing major
source of income is the tourist industry, which now employs about 50%
of the work force. Japanese tourists predominate. The agricultural
sector is of minor importance and is made up of cattle ranches and
small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons.
Industry is small scale, mostly handicrafts, light manufacturing, and
garment production.

National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $524 million (1994
est.)
note: GDP numbers reflect US spending

National product real growth rate: NA%

National product per capita: $10,500 (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.5% (1994 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $190.4 million
expenditures: $190.4 million, including capital expenditures of $19.1
million (FY94/95)

Exports: $263.4 million (f.o.b. 1991 est.)
commodities: garments
partners: NA

Imports: $392.4 million (c.i.f. 1991 est.)
commodities: food, construction equip