English speaking countries

Commonwealth[edit]

Map showing the Northern Mariana Islands and its exclusive economic zone (left) in the United States
The people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence, but instead to forge closer links with the United States. Negotiations for commonwealth status began in 1972 and a covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the United States^[23] was approved in a 1975 referendum.^[22]: 188 A new government and constitution partially came into effect in on January 9, 1978^[22]: 188 after being approved in a 1977 referendum.^[24] The United Nations approved this arrangement pursuant to Security Council Resolution 683. The Northern Mariana Islands came under U.S. sovereignty on November 4, 1986, and the islanders became US citizens.^[22][25] Also on November 4, 1986, the Northern Mariana Islands constitution became fully effective under the Covenant.^[24]
In May 1981, volcanic eruptions led to evacuation of the island of Pagan.^{[22]: 185–86} Most residents of Pagan have not yet returned to Pagan.
The Chamorro-Carolinian Language Policy Commission was created in 1982 to carry out policies in support of the Chamorro and Carolinian languages and cultures.^[26][27][28]
In December 1986, twenty percent of the homes on Saipan were destroyed due by Typhoon Kim, trees were stripped of foliage, thousands of coconut trees were knocked down, roads were blocked, and there was no electricity or public water supply for weeks.^[22]: 186
In April 1990, the inhabitants of the western coast of Anatahan were evacuated after earthquake swarms and active fumaroles indicated that an eruption might be imminent, but no eruption occurred at that time. A further earthquake swarm occurred in May 1992. The first historical eruption of Anatahan occurred in May 2003, when a large explosive eruption with a VEI of 4 took place forming a new crater inside the eastern caldera and causing an ash plume 12 km (7.5 mi) high which impaired air traffic to Saipan and Guam.^[29]
The Northern Mariana Islands does not have voting representation in the United States Congress, but, since 2009, has been represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by a delegate who may participate in debate but may not vote on the floor. The commonwealth has no representation in the U.S. Senate.^[30]