United States. Central Intelligence Agency

“ Dependency status: commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs Government type: commonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature Capital: Saipan Administrative divisions: 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 ”

“ The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment production is by far the most important industry with employment of 17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US under duty and quota exemptions. ”

“ The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated government revenues have grown. The key tourist industry employs about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. ”