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Compare Northern Mariana Islands (2003) - Palau (2002)

Compare Northern Mariana Islands (2003) z Palau (2002)

 Northern Mariana Islands (2003)Palau (2002)
 Northern Mariana IslandsPalau
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 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatobohei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsoral
Age structure 0-14 years: 23.3% (male 9,483; female 9,168)


15-64 years: 74.8% (male 27,839; female 32,041)


65 years and over: 1.8% (male 748; female 727) (2003 est.)
0-14 years: 26.8% (male 2,678; female 2,522)


15-64 years: 68.6% (male 7,241; female 6,074)


65 years and over: 4.6% (male 426; female 468) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes
Airports 6 (2002) 3 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


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


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


under 914 m: 2 (2002)
total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 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: 458 sq km


land: 458 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC slightly more than 2.5 times the size of 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. After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year when the islands gained independence.
Birth rate 19.97 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 19.32 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $193 million


expenditures: $223 million, including capital expenditures of NA (FY 01/02 est.)
revenues: $57.7 million


expenditures: $80.8 million, including capital expenditures of $17.1 million
Capital Saipan Koror; note - a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast of Koror
Climate tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October wet season May to November; hot and humid
Coastline 1,482 km 1,519 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 1981
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: Republic of Palau


conventional short form: Palau


local long form: Beluu er a Belau


local short form: Belau


former: Palau District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
Currency US dollar (USD) US dollar (USD)
Death rate 2.44 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 7.11 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $NA $0 (FY99/00)
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 -
Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission: the Ambassador to the Philippines is accredited to Palau; Charge d'Affaires Ronald A. HARMS


embassy: address NA, Koror


mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940


telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990


FAX: [680] 488-2911
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA


chancery: 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20036


telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814


FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281


consulate(s): Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient extensive funding from US $155.8 million (1995); note - the Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provides Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities
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. The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 50,000 in FY00/01. The population enjoys a per capita income twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.
Electricity - consumption NA kWh -
Electricity - exports 0 kWh -
Electricity - imports 0 kWh -
Electricity - production NA kWh -
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
Environment - current issues contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians, Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70%, Asian (mainly Filipinos, followed by Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese) 28%, white 2% (2000 est.)
Exchange rates the US dollar is used the US dollar is used
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: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet


elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)


election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. elected president; percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 53%, Peter SUGIYAMA 46%; Sandra PIERANTOZZI elected vice president; percent of vote - Sandra PIERANTOZZI 52%, Alan SEID 45%
Exports $NA $11 million f.o.b. (1999)
Exports - commodities garments shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
Exports - partners US (2000) US, Japan, Singapore
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September 1 October - 30 September
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 light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $900 million


note: $900 million $900 million GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2000 est.)
purchasing power parity - $174 million


note: GDP numbers reflect US spending (2001 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 - $9,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% 1% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 15 12 N, 145 45 E 7 30 N, 134 30 E
Geography - note strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands
Heliports 1 (2002) -
Highways total: 362 km


paved: NA km


unpaved: NA km (1991)
total: 61 km


paved: 36 km


unpaved: 25 km
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports $NA $126 million f.o.b. (1999)
Imports - commodities food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners US, Japan (2000) US
Independence none (commonwealth in political union with the US) 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
Industrial production growth rate NA% NA%
Industries tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making
Infant mortality rate total: 5.52 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 4.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
16.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.2% (1997 est.) 3.4% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), SPC ACP, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2001) 1 (2002)
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas
Labor force 6,006 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717 foreign workers 8,300 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation NA agriculture 20%, industry NA%, services NA% (1990)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 15.22%


permanent crops: 6.52%


other: 78.26% (1998 est.)
arable land: 21.74%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 78.26% (1998 est.)
Languages English, Chamorro, Carolinian


note: 86% of population speaks a language other than English at home
English and Palauan official in all states except Sonsoral (Sonsorolese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official)
Legal system based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
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 1 November 2003 (next to be held NA November 2005)


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 - Covenant Party 9, Republican Party 7, Democratic Party 1, independent 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)
bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004); House of Delegates - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)


election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 16
Life expectancy at birth total population: 76.16 years


male: 73.06 years


female: 79.44 years (2003 est.)
total population: 69.19 years


male: 66.07 years


female: 72.5 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 97%


male: 97%


female: 96% (1980 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 92%


male: 93%


female: 90% (1980 est.)
Location Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Map references Oceania Oceania
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM


extended fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 3 NM
Merchant marine none (2002 est.) none (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the US defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted access to the islands for 50 years
Military branches - NA
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - NA%
National holiday Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978) Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Nationality noun: NA


adjective: NA
noun: Palauan(s)


adjective: Palauan
Natural hazards active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November) typhoons (June to December)
Natural resources arable land, fish forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Net migration rate 16.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) 3.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Political parties and leaders Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Benigno R. FITIAL] none
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 80,006 (July 2003 est.) 19,409 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 3.37% (2003 est.) 1.61% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Saipan, Tinian Koror
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2002)
Radios - 12,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found) Christian (Roman Catholics 49%, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and Latter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population observes this religion which is indigenous to Palau)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female


total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female


total population: 1.14 male(s)/female (2002 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: NA


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 21,000 (1996) 6,700 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1,200 (1995) 1,000 (2002)
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 varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Total fertility rate 1.75 children born/woman (2003 est.) 2.47 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 2.3% (2000 est.)
Waterways none none
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