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Compare Northern Mariana Islands (2007) - Costa Rica (2005)

Compare Northern Mariana Islands (2007) z Costa Rica (2005)

 Northern Mariana Islands (2007)Costa Rica (2005)
 Northern Mariana IslandsCosta Rica
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 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Age structure 0-14 years: 18.9% (male 8,354/female 7,612)


15-64 years: 79.5% (male 27,334/female 39,860)


65 years and over: 1.6% (male 717/female 669) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: 28.9% (male 593,540/female 566,361)


15-64 years: 65.5% (male 1,330,481/female 1,300,664)


65 years and over: 5.6% (male 104,564/female 120,563) (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber
Airports 5 (2007) 149 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
total: 30


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 18


under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 2


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2007)
total: 119


914 to 1,523 m: 24


under 914 m: 95 (2004 est.)
Area total: 477 sq km


land: 477 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
total: 51,100 sq km


land: 50,660 sq km


water: 440 sq km


note: includes Isla del Coco
Area - comparative 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than West Virginia
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, and came into force on 24 March 1976. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978. Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread.
Birth rate 19.27 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 18.6 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Budget revenues: $193 million


expenditures: $223 million (FY01/02 est.)
revenues: $2.497 billion


expenditures: $3.094 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)
Capital name: Saipan


geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E


time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
San Jose
Climate tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Coastline 1,482 km 1,290 km
Constitution Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978; Covenant Agreement fully effective 4 November 1986 7 November 1949
Country name conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands


conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands


abbreviation: CNMI


former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District
conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica


conventional short form: Costa Rica


local long form: Republica de Costa Rica


local short form: Costa Rica
Death rate 2.29 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 4.33 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Debt - external $NA $5.962 billion (2004 est.)
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: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Douglas M. BARNES


embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose


mailing address: APO AA 34020


telephone: [506] 220-3939


FAX: [506] 519-2305
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission: Ambassador Tomas DUENAS


chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945


FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Tampa


consulate(s): Austin
Disputes - international none legal dispute over navigational rights of Rio San Juan on the border with Nicaragua remains unresolved
Economic aid - recipient extensive funding from US -
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 the employment of 17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US under duty and quota exemptions. Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. Low prices for coffee and bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt. The reduction of inflation remains a difficult problem because of rises in the price of imports, labor market rigidities, and fiscal deficits. The country also needs to reform its tax system and its pattern of public expenditure. Costa Rica recently concluded negotiations to participate in the US-Central American Free Trade Agreement, which, if ratified by the Costa Rican Legislature, would result in economic reforms and an improved investment climate.
Electricity - consumption NA kWh 5.733 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2007 est.) 477 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2007 est.) 59 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production NA kWh 6.614 billion kWh (2002)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


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


highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
Environment - current issues contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Ethnic groups Asian 56.3%, Pacific islander 36.3%, Caucasian 1.8%, other 0.8%, mixed 4.8% (2000 census) white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 437.91 (2004), 398.66 (2003), 359.82 (2002), 328.87 (2001), 308.19 (2000)
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 Benigno R. FITIAL (since 9 January 2006); Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. VILLAGOMEZ (since 9 January 2006)


cabinet: the cabinet consists of the heads of the 10 principal departments under the executive branch who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate; other members include Special Assistants to the governor and office heads appointed by and reporting directly to the governor


elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 5 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2009)


election results: Benigno R. FITIAL elected governor in a four-way race; percent of vote - Benigno R. FITIAL 28.07%, Heinz HOFSCHNEIDER 27.34%, Juan BABAUTA 26.6%, Froilan TENORIO 17.99%
chief of state: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since 8 May 2002); Second Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since 8 May 2002); Second Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president


elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 February 2002; run-off election held 7 April 2002 (next to be held February 2006)


election results: Abel PACHECO elected president; percent of vote - Abel PACHECO (PUSC) 58%; Rolando ARAYA (PLN) 42%
Exports $NA NA
Exports - commodities garments coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment
Exports - partners US (2006) US 46.9%, Netherlands 5.3%, Guatemala 4.4% (2004)
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 five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
agriculture: 8.5%


industry: 29.7%


services: 61.8% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $9,600 (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% 3.9% (2004 est.)
Geographic coordinates 15 12 N, 145 45 E 10 00 N, 84 00 W
Geography - note strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65
Heliports 1 (2007) -
Highways - total: 35,303 km


paved: 4,236 km


unpaved: 31,067 km (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 1.1%


highest 10%: 36.8% (2002)
Illicit drugs - transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising
Imports $214.4 million (2001) NA
Imports - commodities food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum
Imports - partners US, Japan (2006) US 46.1%, Japan 5.9%, Mexico 5.1%, Brazil 4.2% (2004)
Independence none (commonwealth in political union with the US) 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 3.1% (2004 est.)
Industries tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products
Infant mortality rate total: 6.85 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 6.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
total: 9.95 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 10.85 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) -0.8% (2000) 11.5% (2004 est.)
International organization participation Interpol (subbureau), SPC, UPU BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Irrigated land NA 1,260 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly)
Labor force 44,470 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717 foreign workers (2000) 1.81 million (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
agriculture 20%, industry 22%, services 58% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 639 km


border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
Land use arable land: 13.04%


permanent crops: 4.35%


other: 82.61% (2005)
arable land: 4.41%


permanent crops: 5.88%


other: 89.71% (2001)
Languages Philippine languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%, Chamorro 22.4%, English 10.8%, other Pacific island languages 9.5%, other 9.6% (2000 census) Spanish (official), English
Legal system based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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 (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 3 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2009); House of Representatives - last held 3 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2009)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Covenant Party 3, Republican Party 3, Democratic Party 1, independents 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 12, Covenant Party 4, Democratic Party 1, independents 3


note: the Northern Mariana Islands does not have a nonvoting delegate in the US Congress; instead, it has an elected official or "resident representative" in Washington, DC; seats by party - Republican Party 1 (Pedro A. TENORIO)
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 3 February 2002 (next to be held 3 February 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PUSC 19, PLN 17, PAC 14, PML 6, PRC 1; note - seats by party as of January 2005 - PUSC 19, PLN 16, PAC 8, PML 5, PRC 1, Patriotic Union 3, Homeland First 1, Authentic Member from Heredia 1, Democratic National Alliance 1, independent 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 76.29 years


male: 73.7 years


female: 79.05 years (2007 est.)
total population: 76.84 years


male: 74.26 years


female: 79.55 years (2005 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: 96%


male: 95.9%


female: 96.1% (2003 est.)
Location Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Map references Oceania Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm
Merchant marine - total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,716 GRT/ DWT


by type: passenger/cargo 2 (2005)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the US -
Military branches - no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security, Government, and Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $64.2 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 0.4% (2003)
National holiday Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978) Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Nationality noun: NA (US citizens)


adjective: NA
noun: Costa Rican(s)


adjective: Costa Rican
Natural hazards active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November) occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes
Natural resources arable land, fish hydropower
Net migration rate 7.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) 0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Pipelines - refined products 242 km (2004)
Political parties and leaders Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]; Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Juan S. REYES] Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Otton SOLIS]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Justo OROZCO]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Juan Carlos CHAVES Mora]; Democratic National Alliance [Emilia RODRIGUEZ]; General Union Party or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto FERNANDEZ Vega]; Homeland First [Juan Jose VARGAS]; Independent Worker Party or PIO [Jose Alberto CUBERO Carmona]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Victor GONZALEZ]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Francisco Antonio PACHECO]; National Patriotic Party or PPN [Daniel Enrique REYNOLDS Vargas]; National Rescue Party or PRN [Carlos VARGAS Solano]; Patriotic Union [Humberto ARCE]; Popular Vanguard [Trino BARRANTES Araya]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Lorena VASQUEZ Badilla]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert Brown]
Population 84,546 (July 2007 est.) 4,016,173 (July 2005 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 18% (2004 est.)
Population growth rate 2.461% (2007 est.) 1.48% (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors - Caldera, Puerto Limon
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 1 (2005) AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002)
Railways - total: 278 km


narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge (2004)
Religions Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found) Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.097 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.686 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.072 male(s)/female


total population: 0.756 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female


total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 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 and compulsory
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage; restricted cellular telephone service


domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available


international: country code - 506; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); two submarine cables (1999)
Telephones - main lines in use 21,000 (2000) 1.132 million (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 20,500 (2004) 528,047 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 1 (on Saipan; in addition, 2 cable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (2006) 20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002)
Terrain southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes
Total fertility rate 1.21 children born/woman (2007 est.) 2.28 children born/woman (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate 3.9% (2001) 6.6% (2004 est.)
Waterways - 730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2004)
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