Northern
Mariana Islands
(commonwealth
in political union with the US)
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. Its languages are: Philippine
languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%, Chamorro 22.4%, English 10.8%, other
Pacific island languages 9.5%, other 9.6%.
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