Northern Mariana Islands
Country Guide

Explore Northern Mariana Islands

Northern Mariana Islands with its capital Saipan is located in Oceania (Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean). It covers some 465 square kilometers (2.5 times the size of Washington, DC) with 52,263 citizens. Tagalog, Chinese, Chamorro and English are the languages commonly used by the people in Northern Mariana Islands (consider regional differences). This country shares no land borders with another country.

Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with (and in practice, close to a territory of) the United States. The Marianas' top activity among Americans is scuba diving and snorkeling. In additional to the coral reefs you might expect, the waters around the islands were the scene of fierce fighting during World War II and there are many ship wrecks and even rusting tanks stuck on the seabed. Many Asian (particularly South Koreans) visitors come to the CNMI for gambling (especially on Tinian), and karaoke/hostess bars. Saipan has a thriving (but illegal) prostitution industry, most of the workers being from China or the Philippines.

Popular Destinations in Northern Mariana Islands

Administrative regions of Northern Mariana Islands

• Northern Islands
• Rota
• Saipan
• Tinian Municipality

About the country

The landscape is the southern islands in this north-south trending archipelago are limestone, with fringing coral reefs and the northern islands are volcanic, with active volcanoes on several islands. The average density of population is about 113 per km². The climate in Northern Mariana Islands can be described as tropical marinemoderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation, dry season December to June, rainy season July to October. Potential threats by nature are active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan typhoons (especially August to November)

To reach someone Northern Mariana Islands dial +1-670 prior to a number. The local cellular networks are operated on 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, 3G. Websites typically end with the top level domain ".mp". If you want to bring electric appliances (e.g. battery chaarger), keep in min the local . The sign for the locally used currency Dollar is USD.

Blue with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on a gray latte stone (the traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the star represents the Commonwealth; the latte stone and the floral head wreath display elements of the native Chamorro culture.

Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US was approved in 1975, and came into force on 24 March 1976. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978.

Geography

Area
Total (World Rank: 197)	464	sq km
Land (World Rank: 194)	464	sq km
Forest (World Rank: 180)	2.20	%
Comparative	2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Note	consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
Coastline
1482
Elevation
Highest point (World Rank: 165)	965	m
Agricultural land
Total (World Rank: 206)	6.60	%
Arable (World Rank: 176)	2.20	%
Permanent crops (World Rank: 87)	2.20	%
Permanent pastures (World Rank: 180)	2.20	%
Irrigated land (World Rank: 180)	1	sq km
Map reference
Oceania
Environment
Issues	- clean-up of landfill - contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease - protection of endangered species conflicts with development
Hazzards	- active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan - typhoons (especially August to November)
Location
Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Climate
tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October
Terrain
the southern islands in this north-south trending archipelago are limestone, with fringing coral reefs; the northern islands are volcanic, with active volcanoes on several islands

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People

Population
Total (World Rank: 207)	52,263
Deathrate (World Rank: 196)	0.48	%
Birthrate (World Rank: 129)	1.50	%
Growthrate (World Rank: 217)	-0.51	%
Migration rate (World Rank: 181)	-1.52	%
Fertility rate (World Rank: 61)	2.80	%
Median age
Male (World Rank: 89)	32.80
Female (World Rank: 85)	34.40
Age structure
0 14 male (World Rank: 201)	7,536
0 14 female (World Rank: 201)	6,384
15 24 male (World Rank: 202)	4,343
15 24 female (World Rank: 205)	3,807
25 54 male (World Rank: 207)	10,834
25 54 female (World Rank: 207)	10,049
55 64 male (World Rank: 201)	3,548
55 64 female (World Rank: 205)	2,919
65 x male (World Rank: 210)	1,539
65 x female (World Rank: 214)	1,304
Health
Infant mortality rate (World Rank: 170)	0.53	%
Life expectancy total (World Rank: 106)	75	years
Life expectancy female (World Rank: 112)	78	years
Life expectancy male (World Rank: 93)	73	years
Physicians per 1000 (World Rank: 138)	0.36
Sanitation access total (World Rank: 124)	79.70	%
Drinking water access (World Rank: 90)	97.50	%

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Energy

Electricity
Production (World Rank: 216)	60,600	kWh
Consumption (World Rank: 215)	48,300	kWh

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Economy

Gdp
Purchasing power parity (World Rank: 207)	682,000,000	USD
Real growth rate (World Rank: 48)	4.50	%
Per capita purchasing power parity (World Rank: 114)	13,300	USD
Source agriculture (World Rank: 183)	1.70	%
Source industry (World Rank: 217)	2.90	%
Source service (World Rank: 3)	95.40	%
Labourforce
Total (World Rank: 204)	27,970
Products
Industries	- banking - construction - fishing - handicrafts - other services - tourism
Agriculture	- aquaculture products - eggs - fish - fruits - livestock - melons - nuts - ornamental plants - poultry - vegetables
Exports	garments
Imports	- construction equipment - food - materials - petroleum products

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Nation

Budget
Surplus (World Rank: 45)	-0	% of GDP
National symbol
latte stone
National colours
white
Adjective
NA
Noun
NA (US citizens)
Background
Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US was approved in 1975, and came into force on 24 March 1976. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978.
Flag description
blue with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on a gray latte stone (the traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the star represents the Commonwealth; the latte stone and the floral head wreath display elements of the native Chamorro culture

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Communication

Internet
Users (World Rank: 205)	16,000
Population (World Rank: 155)	30.60	%
Phone
Assessment	0

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Transport

Air
Airports paved (World Rank: 169)	3.00
Airports unpaved (World Rank: 177)	2.00
Heliports (World Rank: 112)	1.00
Road
Total length (World Rank: 194)	536

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