Overview

Situated north of Guam in the Pacific Ocean, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) comprises 14 islands. Saipan (the capital), Rota, and Tinian are the main islands. The population of CNMI is approximately 44,000.

Political overview

CNMI is a self-governing US territory. The US President is its Head of State. The Head of Government is a Governor.

The people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence from the United States. Negotiations to gain territorial status began in 1972. A Covenant to establish a Commonwealth in Political Union with the United States, conferring US citizenship on the islands' residents, was approved by the US Congress in 1975 and came into force on 24 March 1976. The Covenant became fully effective on 4 November 1986. CNMI became self-governing under its own constitution in 1978 with a locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature.

CNMI has a bicameral legislature consisting of a 20 member House of Representatives and a nine-member Senate. The Governor and Senators serve four-year terms and the Representatives serve for two years.

Under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories such as CNMI do not vote in elections for the US President and Vice President. The Northern Mariana Islands has a non-voting delegate in the US Congress.

Bilateral relations

Australia has no resident representation in CNMI. The Australian Consulate-General in Honolulu, United States of America is responsible for Australian affairs in CNMI.

Economic overview

CNMI's economy is primarily based on tourism and agriculture.