Part 557

Economic aid: none

Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January 1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990)

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: 27 km

Ports: none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade

Merchant marine: none

Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 1,087 (1983 est.)

Telephone system: domestic: NA international: radiotelephone service with Sydney (Australia)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: 2,000 (1991 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 0

Televisions: 900 (1991 est.)

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia

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@Northern Mariana Islands ------------------------

(commonwealth in political union with the US)

Map ---

Location: 15 12 N, 145 45 E -- Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

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

Geography ---------

Location: Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines