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Compare Northern Mariana Islands (2002) - Aruba (2004)

Compare Northern Mariana Islands (2002) z Aruba (2004)

 Northern Mariana Islands (2002)Aruba (2004)
 Northern Mariana IslandsAruba
Administrative divisions none (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four municipalities at the second order; Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Age structure 0-14 years: 23.4% (male 9,208; female 8,902)


15-64 years: 74.8% (male 27,041; female 30,781)


65 years and over: 1.8% (male 690; female 689) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: 20.3% (male 7,429; female 7,051)


15-64 years: 68.2% (male 23,587; female 25,007)


65 years and over: 11.4% (male 3,347; female 4,797) (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle aloes; livestock; fish
Airports 6 (2001) 1 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002)
total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


under 914 m: 2 (2002)
-
Area total: 477 sq km


land: 477 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
total: 193 sq km


land: 193 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC slightly larger than Washington, DC
Background Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US was approved in 1975. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978. Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.
Birth rate 20.29 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 11.53 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget revenues: $193 million


expenditures: $223 million, including capital expenditures of NA (FY 2001/02 est.)
revenues: $135.8 million


expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2000)
Capital Saipan Oranjestad
Climate tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline 1,482 km 68.5 km
Constitution Covenant Agreement effective 4 November 1986 and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978 1 January 1986
Country name conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands


conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands


former: Mariana Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Aruba
Currency US dollar (USD) Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)
Death rate 2.42 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 6.47 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external $NA $285 million (1996)
Dependency status commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
Diplomatic representation from the US - the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles, Robert E. SORENSON, is accredited to Aruba
Diplomatic representation in the US - none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient extensive funding from US $26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996
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. The key tourist industry employs about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries have exceeded one-half million in recent years, but financial difficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment production is by far the most important industry with employment of 17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US under duty and quota exemptions. Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and low unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years. Tourist arrivals have declined in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. The government now must deal with a budget deficit and a negative trade balance.
Electricity - consumption NA kWh 494.7 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports - 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production NA kWh 531.9 million kWh (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
Environment - current issues contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development NA
Ethnic groups Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians, Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2003), 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999)
Executive branch chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)


head of government: Governor Juan N. BABAUTA (since NA January 2002); Lieutenant Governor Diego T. BENEVENTE (since NA January 2002)


cabinet: NA


elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held NA November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2005)


election results: Juan N. BABAUTA elected governor in a four-way race; percent of vote - Juan N. BABAUTA (Republican Party) 49%
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004)


head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001)


cabinet: Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten)


elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by December 2005)


election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA
Exports $NA NA (2001)
Exports - commodities garments live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Exports - partners US Netherlands 33.7%, Colombia 12%, Netherlands Antilles 12%, Panama 12%, Venezuela 10.8%, US 9.6% (2003)
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September calendar year
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 blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner
GDP purchasing power parity - $900 million


note: GDP numbers reflect US spending (2000 est.)
purchasing power parity - $1.94 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: NA
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $12,500 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% -1.5% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 15 12 N, 145 45 E 12 30 N, 69 58 W
Geography - note strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
Heliports 1 (2002) -
Highways total: 362 km


paved: NA km


unpaved: NA km (1991)
total: 800 km


paved: 513 km


unpaved: 287 km


note: most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large tracts of the interior (1995)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Illicit drugs - transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity
Imports $NA NA (2001)
Imports - commodities food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners US, Japan US 55.3%, Netherlands 13%, Netherlands Antilles 3.1% (2003)
Independence none (commonwealth in political union with the US) none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Industrial production growth rate NA% NA (2002 est.)
Industries tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Infant mortality rate 5.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 6.02 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 6.85 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 5.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.2% (1997 est.) 3.2% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), SPC ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WToO (associate)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2001) -
Irrigated land NA sq km 0.01 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch)
Labor force 6,006 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717 foreign workers (1995) 41,500 (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation NA most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 15.22%


permanent crops: 6.52%


other: 78.26% (1998 est.)
arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%)


permanent crops: 0%


other: 89.47% (2001)
Languages English, Chamorro, Carolinian


note: 86% of population speaks a language other than English at home
Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Legal system based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence
Legislative branch bicameral Legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and the House of Representatives (18 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 5 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2003); House of Representatives - last held 5 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2003)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 4, Democratic Party 3, Reform Party 1, independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 16, Democratic Party 1, Covenant Party 1


note: the Northern Mariana Islands does not have a nonvoting delegate in the US Congress; instead, it has an elected official or "resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats by party - Republican Party 1 (Pedro A. TENORIO)
unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 52.4%, AVP 26.7%, PPA 9.6%, OLA 5.7%, Aliansa 3.5%, other 2.1%; seats by party - MEP 12, AVP 6, PPA 2, OLA 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 75.95 years


male: 72.85 years


female: 79.23 years (2002 est.)
total population: 78.98 years


male: 75.64 years


female: 82.49 years (2004 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 97%


male: 97%


female: 96% (1980 est.)
definition:


total population: 97%


male: NA


female: NA
Location Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Map references Oceania Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
territorial sea: 12 nm
Merchant marine none (2002 est.) total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,772 GRT/7,068 DWT


by type: cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2


foreign-owned: Germany 1, Russia 1


registered in other countries: 1 (2003 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the US defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Military branches - no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard
National holiday Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978) Flag Day, 18 March
Nationality noun: NA


adjective: NA
noun: Aruban(s)


adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Natural hazards active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November) lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
Natural resources arable land, fish NEGL; white sandy beaches
Net migration rate 17.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Political parties and leaders Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Benigno R. FITIAL] Aruba Solidarity Movement or MAS [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Alliance or Aliansa [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Jan (Henny) H. EMAN]; Concentration for the Liberation of Aruba or CLA [leader NA]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; For a Restructured Aruba Now or PARA [Urbana LOPEZ]; National Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 77,311 (July 2002 est.) 71,218 (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA
Population growth rate 3.49% (2002 est.) 0.51% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors Saipan, Tinian Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios NA -
Railways 0 km -
Religions Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found) Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
Sex ratio at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female


total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: NA


domestic: more than adequate


international: country code - 297; 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
Telephones - main lines in use 21,000 (1996) 37,100 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1,200 (1995) 53,000 (2001)
Television broadcast stations 1 (on Saipan and one station planned for Rota; in addition, two cable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (1997) 1 (1997)
Terrain southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Total fertility rate 1.76 children born/woman (2002 est.) 1.79 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 0.6% (2003 est.)
Waterways none -
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