Simple directory > Regional > Northern Marianas

Country : Northern Marianas Official name: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Head of State: President George W Bush Head of government: Governor Juan N Babauta (Republican) (took office Jan 2002) Ruling party: Covenant Party (elected 1 Nov 2003) Area: 471 square km (14 islands) – Saipan (122 square km); Tinian (101 square km) Population: 78,800 (2004) Capital: Garapan (Saipan) Official language: English Currency: US dollar (US$) = 100 cents GDP per capita: US$12,500 (2003) Labour force: 6,010 (2003) Inflation: 1.20% (2003)

Historical profile

Ancestors of the native Chamorros settled on the islands in about 2000 BC.

1521 Magellan claimed the islands for Spain.

1698 The native population was transferred to Guam.

1899 The Germans bought the islands from the Spaniards.

1914 At the beginning of the First World War, the Japanese seized the islands from the Germans.

1947 After the Second World War, the Northern Marianas became a part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), administered by the US, under a mandate granted by the UN.

1975 The islands became self-governing with a bicameral legislature after a referendum.

1984 American civil and political rights were made available to the islands' residents.

1986 Following the end of the UN mandate, the islands acquired US Commonwealth status. Residents were granted US citizenship.

1990 The UN Security Council formally terminated the Trusteeship in December. Under the covenant, the US has responsibility for foreign affairs and defence.

1997 Pedro Tenorio was elected governor, having been out of office for eight years.

2001 The Republican Party was re-elected and Juan Babauta (Republican) was elected governor.

2002 Juan Babauta took office.

2003 The Covenant Party won the 1 November parliamentary elections.

2004 On 31 March, Anatahan's active volcano had a small eruption. On 29 June, Governor Juan N Babauta declared a state of emergency due to the extensive damage caused by Typhoon Tingting. Northern Marianas and Guam were struck by Supertyphoon Chaba in August and a second state of emergency was declared.

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