Northern Mariana Islands

Northern Mariana Islands

Official name	Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Type	Commonwealth (unincorporated U.S. territory)
Lagoon view from Saipan, capital of the Northern Mariana Islands
State	Western Pacific Ocean (Micronesia)
Country	United States
Established	1978 (commonwealth status)
Population	47,000
Area (km²)	464
Time zone	ChST (UTC+10)
ZIP code(s)	96950
Area code(s)	670

The Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) are a U.S. commonwealth in the western Pacific Ocean consisting of 14 islands in the Mariana Archipelago, north of Guam. As a U.S. territory with commonwealth status, the CNMI shares political union with the United States but operates under its own constitution and local government.

Overview

• U.S. citizens reside here, and CNMI has a non-voting delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives
• Residents vote in local and territorial elections, but not in U.S. presidential elections
• Closely associated politically and geographically with Guam

Capital

• The capital is Saipan, which is also the largest and most developed island

History

• Originally inhabited by the Chamorro and Carolinian peoples
• Colonized successively by Spain, Germany, and Japan
• After WWII, became part of the U.N. Trust Territory administered by the U.S.
• Voted in the 1970s to become a U.S. commonwealth, formalized in 1978

Culture

• A blend of indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian heritage with Spanish, German, Japanese, and American influence
• English, Chamorro, and Carolinian are official languages
• Strong cultural pride in music, dance, and oral history

Economy

• Historically driven by garment manufacturing (now closed) and tourism
• Key industries today: tourism, public sector employment, and some agriculture
• Visitors come primarily from Japan, Korea, and China

Attractions and Nature

• Managaha Island, Mount Tapochau, Bird Island Lookout
• Grotto diving cave and WWII historical sites
• Pristine beaches, coral reefs, and tropical forests

Education

• Operated by the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System
• Northern Marianas College offers higher education and vocational training
• Students often travel to Guam or the U.S. mainland for university

Transportation

• Saipan International Airport connects the islands to Guam, Tokyo, Seoul, and other hubs
• Smaller airports on Tinian and Rota
• No rail systems; taxis and rental cars are common on Saipan

Fun Facts

• One of the least populous U.S. territories
• U.S. federal law applies, but with certain negotiated exceptions
• CNMI and Guam together make up the Mariana Archipelago — the same island chain

See Also

• Saipan
• U.S. Territories
• United States Geography