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Description Northern Mariana Islands by rbd.me
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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.
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Location
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Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
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Area - comparative
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2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
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Natural resources Northern Mariana Islands
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southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic
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Population Northern Mariana Islands
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48,317 (July 2010 est.)
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Religions Northern Mariana Islands
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Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found)
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Languages
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Philippine languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%, Chamorro 22.4%, English 10.8%, other Pacific island languages 9.5%, other 9.6% (2000 census)
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Education Northern Mariana Islands expenditures
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NA
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Government Northern Mariana Islands type
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commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs
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Independence
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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
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Northern Mariana Islands Economy - overview
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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
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Investment Northern Mariana Islands
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-0.8% (2000)
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Industries Northern Mariana Islands
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garments
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Airports Northern Mariana Islands
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