ted governor of Northern
Mariana Islands; percent of vote - Froilan C. TENORIO (Democrat) 56%

Legislative branch: bicameral Legislature consists of the Senate (9
seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
and the House of Representatives (18 seats; members are elected by
popular vote to serve two-year terms)
elections : Senate - last held NA November 1993 (next to be held NA
November 1997); House of Representatives - last held NA November 1995
(next to be held NA November 1997)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - NA (Republicans retained a majority of the seats); House of
Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA
(Republicans retained a majority of the seats)
note : the Commonwealth does not have a nonvoting delegate in
Congress; instead, it has an elected official or "resident
representative" located in Washington, DC; seats by party - Republican
1 (Juan N. BABAUTA)

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

Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Benigno R. FITIAL,
leader; Democratic Party, Benigno SABLAN, chairman

International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), 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

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. An agreement for the years
1986 to 1992 entitled the islands to $228 million for capital
development, government operations, and special programs. Since 1992,
funding has been extended one year at a time. The commonwealth
received $27.7 million from FY93/94 through FY95/96. For FY96/97
through FY02/03, funding of $11 million will be provided for
infrastructure, with an equal local match. A rapidly growing major
source of income is the tourist industry, which now employs about 50%
of the work force. Japanese tourists predominate. The agricultural
sector is of minor importance and is made up of cattle ranches and
small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons.
Industry is small scale, mostly handicrafts, light manufacturing, and
garment production.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $524 million (