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 NA November 1997 (next to be held NA November 1999); House of Representatives—last held NA November 1997 (next to be held NA November 1999) election results: Senate—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—Republicans 8, Democrats 1; House of Representatives—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—Republicans 13, Democrats 5 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.
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
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 chief 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. Garment production is the fastest growing industry with employment of 12,000 mostly Chinese workers and shipments of $1 billion to the US in 1998 under duty and quota exemptions.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$524 million (1996 est.) note: GDP numbers reflect US spending
GDP—real growth rate: NA%
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$9,300 (1996 est.)