universal; indigenous inhabitants are US
citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

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 Pedro P. TENORIO (since NA January
1998) and Lieutenant Governor Jesus R. SABLAN (since NA January 1998)

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 in NA November 1997 (next to be held NA November 2001)

election results: Pedro P. TENORIO elected governor in a three-way
race; percent of vote - Pedro P. TENORIO (Republican Party) 47%

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 9 November 1999 (next to be held NA
November 2001); House of Representatives - last held 9 November 1999
(next to be held NA November 2001)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by
party - Republican Party 6, Democratic Party 2, Reform Party 1;
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by
party - Republican Party 10, Democratic Party 8

note: the Commonwealth 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 (Juan N. BABAUTA)

Judicial branch: Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal
District Court

Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S.
CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]

Political pressure groups and leaders: NA

International organization participation: ESCAP (associate),
Interpol (subbureau), SPC

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

Northern Mariana Islands Economy

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.