ts 1; House of Representatives--percent
of vote by party--NA; seats by party--Republicans 13, Democrats 5
note: the Commonwealth does not have a nonvoting delegate in
Congress; instead, it has an elected official or "resident
representative" located in Washington, DC; seats by party--Republican
1 (Juan N. BABAUTA)

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

Political parties and leaders: Republican Party [Benigno R.

International organization participation: ESCAP (associate),
Interpol (subbureau), SPC

Flag description: 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, surrounded by a
wreath

Economy

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.
Since 1992, funding has been extended one year at a time. The
commonwealth received $27.7 million from FY93/94 through FY95/96.
For FY96/97 through FY02/03, funding of $11 million will be provided
for infrastructure, with an equal local match. A rapidly growing
chief 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. Garment production is the fastest growing industry with
employment of 12,000 mostly Chinese workers and shipments of $1
billion to the US in 1998 under duty and quota exemptions.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$524 million (1996 est.)
note: GDP numbers reflect US spending

GDP--real growth rate: NA%

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$9,300 (1996 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

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

Labor force: 6,006 total indigenous labor force; 2,699
unemployed; 28,717 foreign workers (1995)

Labor force--by occupation: manage