Saipan

Saipan

Official name	Municipality of Saipan
Type	Capital city
Saipan waterfront and lagoon
State	Northern Mariana Islands
Country	United States
Established	Ancient Chamorro era; modern era in 20th century
Population	~43,000
Area (km²)	115
Time zone	ChST (UTC+10)
ZIP code(s)	96950
Area code(s)	670

Saipan is the capital and largest island of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth territory in the western Pacific Ocean. Located in the western part of the Mariana Archipelago, Saipan is the political, cultural, and economic heart of the territory.

Overview

• Official seat of government for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
• Known for its natural beauty, tropical beaches, and historical landmarks
• Hosts both local CNMI and U.S. federal government offices

History

• Originally settled by the Chamorro and Carolinian peoples thousands of years ago
• Colonized by Spain, then Germany, and later Japan prior to World War II
• Site of the Battle of Saipan in 1944 — a pivotal WWII conflict
• Became part of the U.S.-administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands post-WWII
• Became a U.S. commonwealth in political union in 1978

Government and Services

• Hosts the CNMI Governor’s Office, Legislature, and Judiciary
• Also home to U.S. federal agencies including USPS, Social Security, and FEMA
• No city government — operates as part of the larger Saipan municipality

Economy

• Historically driven by garment manufacturing (now closed)
• Current economy includes tourism, public administration, and small-scale agriculture
• U.S. dollar is the currency; English and Chamorro are widely spoken

Attractions and Landmarks

• American Memorial Park – honors WWII veterans and includes a museum
• Banzai Cliff and Suicide Cliff – historical WWII sites
• Bird Island, Managaha Island, and Mount Tapochau – known for natural beauty
• Popular for diving, hiking, and eco-tourism

Education and Infrastructure

• Home to the Northern Marianas College
• Public schools managed by CNMI Public School System
• Some students pursue higher education in Guam or the mainland U.S.

Transportation

• Served by Saipan International Airport (SPN) with flights to Asia and Guam
• Road infrastructure links villages across the island
• Local taxis and rental cars are primary modes of transportation

Fun Facts

• Saipan is closer to Tokyo than it is to Honolulu
• One of the few U.S. capitals in the western hemisphere's easternmost time zones
• A major diving destination with access to WWII shipwrecks and coral reefs

See Also

• Northern Mariana Islands
• United States Territory Capitals
• U.S. Territories