Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands^[b] (CNMI; Chamorro: Sankattan Siha Na Islas Mariånas; Carolinian: Commonwealth Téél Falúw kka Efáng llól Marianas), is an unincorporated territory and commonwealth of the United States consisting of 14 islands in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.^[10] The CNMI includes the 14 northernmost islands in the Mariana Archipelago; the southernmost island, Guam, is a separate U.S. territory. The Northern Mariana Islands were listed by the United Nations as a non-self governing territory until 1990.^[11]

Northern Mariana Islands
Unincorporated and organized U.S. territory
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands^[b] Sankattan Siha Na Islas Mariånas (Chamorro) Commonwealth Téél Falúw kka Efáng llól Marianas (Carolinian)
Flag Seal
Anthem: "Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi" (Chamorro) "Satil Matawal Pacifiko" (Carolinian) ("In the Middle of the Sea")
Location of the Northern Mariana Islands (circled in red)
Sovereign state	United States^[a]
Before association with the United States	Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Commonwealth status	January 9, 1978
End of U.N. Trusteeship	November 4, 1986
Capital and largest city	Saipan 15°11′N 145°44′E / 15.19°N 145.74°E / 15.19; 145.74
Official languages	English Chamorro Carolinian
Ethnic groups (2023)^[1]	35.3% Filipino 23.9% Chamorro 6.8% Chinese 4.6% Refaluwasch 4.2% Korean 6.4% other Pacific Islander 3.7% other Asian 15.1% other
Religion (2010)^[2]	81.3% Christianity 10.6% Buddhism 5.3% folk religions 1.0% no religion 0.7% Islam 1.1% other
Demonym(s)	Northern Mariana Islander (formal) Northern Marianan (other) Marianan (diminutive form) Chamorro (colloquial)^[3]
Government	Devolved presidential constitutional dependency
• President	Joe Biden (D)
• Governor	Arnold Palacios (I)
• Lieutenant Governor	David M. Apatang (I)
Legislature	Commonwealth Legislature
• Upper house	Senate
• Lower house	House of Representatives
United States Congress
• House delegate	Gregorio Sablan (D)
Area
• Total	464^[4]^[5]^[6] km^2 (179 sq mi)
• Water (%)	negligible
Highest elevation (Mount Agrihan)	965 m (3,166 ft)
Population
• 2022 estimate	55,650^[4] (209th)
• 2020 census	47,329^[7]
• Density	113/km^2 (292.7/sq mi) (97th)
GDP (PPP)	2016 estimate
• Total	$1.24 billion^[4]
• Per capita	$25,516^[4]
GDP (nominal)	2019 estimate
• Total	$1.18 billion^[8]
• Per capita	$21,239
Currency	United States dollar (US$) (USD)
Time zone	UTC+10:00 (ChST)
Date format	mm/dd/yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+1-670
USPS abbreviation	MP
Trad. abbreviation	CNMI
ISO 3166 code	MP US-MP
Internet TLD	.mp
Website	gov.mp

The Northern Marianas were part of the United Nations trust territories after World War II under American administration, while previously they had been under the control of the Spanish (1500s–1899), the Germans (1899–1914), and the Japanese (1914–1944). In the late 20th century they eventually settled on joining the United States. This process was completed in the late 20th century and recognized internationally, and the people of the Northern Marianas became United States citizens by their choice in 1986. They have one federal representative in Congress. The other U.S. Pacific territories with significant populations are Guam, American Samoa, and Hawaii. The population of the Northern Marianas is several times smaller than the U.S. states, so its representation is handled differently, in that they have more autonomy with a governor and in Congress, but less participation in the federal government. They are U.S. citizens with free movement around the United States and have access to many federal programs, but do not pay federal income tax. The Northern Marianas are near to but separate from Guam which became a part of the USA since 1898. Together Guam, CNMI, American Samoa, and Hawaii represent Pacific peoples of the United States tying together many assets such as marine reserves, atolls, and islands dotting the Pacific.

The United States Department of the Interior cites a landmass of 183.5 square miles (475.26 km²).^[12] According to the 2020 United States Census, 47,329 people were living in the CNMI at that time.^[7] The vast majority of the population resides on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The other islands of the Northern Marianas are sparsely inhabited; the most notable among these is Pagan, which was left largely uninhabted since a 1981 volanic eruption.^[13] The total area of the island chain makes it bigger than American Samoa or U.S. Virgin Islands, but as an island chain the distance between the northernmost island and southernmost, Rota, is roughly over 300 miles^[12] (around 500 km) which is nearly 1/3 the length of California, for example (which is over 1000 miles from North to South).^[14] The main islands of northern Marianas are, from north to south are: Farallon de Pajaros (or Uracus), Maug Islands (actually three islands), Asuncion Island, Agrihan, Pagan, Alamagan, Guguan, Sarigan, Anatahan, Farallon de Medinilla, Saipan, Tinian, Aguijan, and Rota (aka Luta). Of these, most live on Saipan; Tinian and Rota also have populations. The highest point on Saipan is Mount Tapochau on, at 474 m (1,555 ft)^[15] while the highest point in the Northern Mariana islands is Agrihan at 977 meters, 3204 feet (on Agrihan island).^[16] Pagan is home to an active volcano, which had a fairly large eruption in 1981, and had had activity as recently as 2021.^[13][17] The bottom three islands Saipan, Tinian, and Rota are mostly limestone, but the northern islands are volcanic. To the east of the islands in the Mariana Trench lies some of the deepest ocean on the planet.

The administrative center is Capitol Hill, a village in northwestern Saipan. The current governor of the CNMI is Arnold Palacios, he is the tenth Governor and took office in January 2023. The legislative branch has a 9-member senate, and there is a 14-member House of Representatives. The CNMI joined the United States in the late 20th century, a country with a unique system by which other territories or nations can become states with another country. The U.S. currently has 50 States and 5 territories. Compared to Puerto Rico, which is larger, which are also U.S. Citizens but do not pay Federal income tax but the CNMI had a much clearer referendum on becoming a part of the U.S. The CNMI's were quite definitive, with over 93 approving the 1977 constitution; by 1986 they were granted U.S. Citizenship and the United Nations acknowledged their choice. In the 21st century, the CNMI maintains their own local government with some variations in local law.

History

The islands were settled around 1500 B.C. and various peoples migrated there, eventually the islands were claimed by Spain in 1521.^[4] In the 18th century the people of the northern Mariana's were forced by Spain to relocate, eventually when they returned new peoples had migrated there. In 1899 Spain sold the Northern Marianas to Germany in the Spanish-German Treaty of 1899, while Guam went to the United States. At the end of WW1, with defeat of Germany, the islands became a part of the Japanese Mandate under the League of Nations starting 1918. The islands were liberated from the Japanese in the Battle of Saipan in 1944, and after the war put into U.N. Trust Territory called the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI). Over the decades integration with Guam was rejected and eventually they chose to leave the TTPI to become a part of the US in 1986. The Northern Marianas then became the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and are U.S. Citizens. In 2009, they elected a non-voting delegate to Congress.^[4]

Arrival of humans

Main article: Mariana Islands § Prehistory

 

Pictograms of sea turtles in Mariana's cave

The Mariana Islands were the first islands settled by humans in Remote Oceania. Incidentally it is also the first and the longest of the ocean-crossing voyages of the Austronesian peoples, and is separate from the later Polynesian settlement of the rest of Remote Oceania. They were first settled around 1500 to 1400 BC by migrants departing from the Philippines. This was followed by a second migration from the Caroline Islands by the first millennium AD, and a third migration from Island Southeast Asia (likely the Philippines or eastern Indonesia) by 900 AD.^[18][19]

After first contact with Spaniards, they eventually became known as the Chamorros, a Spanish word similar to Chamori, the name of the indigenous caste system's higher division.

The ancient people of the Marianas raised colonnades of megalithic capped pillars called latte stones upon which they built their homes. The Spanish reported that by the time of their arrival, the largest of these were already in ruins, and that the Chamorros believed the ancestors who had erected the pillars lived in an era when people possessed supernatural abilities.

In 2013 archaeologists posited that the first people to settle in the Marianas may have made what was at that point the longest uninterrupted ocean-crossing voyage in human history. Archeological evidence indicates that Tinian may have been the first Pacific island to be settled.^[20]

Spanish possession

 

Reception of the Manila galleon by the Chamorro in the Ladrones Islands, c. 1590. From Boxer Codex.

 

Chamorro Hunter with Spear, as depicted in the Boxer Codex (1590) of the Philippines

 

Chamorro Hunter with Bow, as depicted in the Boxer Codex (1590) of the Philippines

Main articles: New Spain, Captaincy General of the Philippines, Spanish East Indies, and Spanish-Chamorro Wars

The Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, sailing under the Spanish flag, arrived in 1521. He and his crew were the first Europeans to arrive in the Mariana Islands. He landed on Guam, the southernmost island of the Marianas, and claimed the archipelago for Spain. The Spanish ships were met offshore by the native Chamorros, who delivered refreshments and then helped themselves to a small boat belonging to Magellan's fleet. This led to a cultural clash: in Chamorro tradition, little property was private and taking something one needed, such as a boat for fishing, did not count as stealing. The Spanish did not understand this custom and fought the Chamorros until the boat was recovered. Three days after he had been welcomed on his arrival, Magellan fled the archipelago. Spain regarded the islands as annexed and later made them part of the Spanish East Indies in 1565. In 1734, the Spanish built a royal palace, the Plaza de España, in Guam for the governor of the islands. The palace was largely destroyed during World War II, but portions of it remain.

Guam operated as an important stopover between the Philippines and Mexico for Manila galleon carrying trading between Spanish colonies.

In 1668, Father Diego Luis de San Vitores renamed the islands Las Marianas in honor of his patroness the Spanish regent Mariana of Austria (1634–1696), widow of Felipe IV (reigned 1621–1665).^[21]

Most of the islands' native population (90–95%)^[22] died from European diseases carried by the Spaniards or married non-Chamorro settlers under Spanish rule. New settlers, primarily from the Philippines and the Caroline Islands, were brought^{[by whom?]} to repopulate the islands. The Chamorro population gradually recovered, and Chamorro, Filipino, and Refaluwasch languages and other ethnic groups remain in the Marianas.

During the 17th century, Spanish colonists forcibly moved the Chamorros to Guam, to encourage assimilation and conversion to Roman Catholicism. By the time they were allowed to return to the Northern Marianas, many Carolinians from present-day eastern Yap State and western Chuuk State had settled in the Marianas.^{[citation needed]} Both languages, as well as English, are now official in the commonwealth.

In 1720 the Spanish moved the remaining islanders, whose population had been decimated by diseases, from the Marianas to Guam.^[23] By 1741, there was about 5000 remaining Chamarros.^[23]

Carolinian immigration

The Northern Marianas experienced an influx of immigration from the Carolines (Micronesia region) during the 19th century. Both this Carolinian sub-ethnicity and Carolinians in the Carolines archipelago refer to themselves as the Refaluwasch. The indigenous Chamorro word for the same group of people is gu'palao. They are usually referred to simply as "Carolinians", though unlike the other two monikers, this can also mean those who actually live in the Carolines and who may have no affiliation with the Marianas.

The conquering Spanish did not focus attempts at cultural suppression against Carolinian immigrants, whose immigration they allowed during a period when the indigenous Chamorro majority was being subjugated with land alienation, forced relocations and internment. Carolinians in the Marianas continue to be fluent in the Carolinian language, and have maintained many of the cultural distinctions and traditions of their ethnicity's land of ancestral origin.^{[24][need quotation to verify]}

German possession and Japanese mandate

Main articles: Spanish–American War, Treaty of Paris (1898), German New Guinea, and South Seas Mandate

 

Saipan under the administration of Japan

Following its loss during the Spanish–American War of 1898, Spain ceded Guam to the United States and sold the remainder of the Marianas (i.e., the Northern Marianas), along with the Caroline Islands, to Germany under the German–Spanish Treaty of 1899. The United States could have taken the entire Marianas but beyond Guam saw no need for the group.^[25] Germany administered the islands as part of its colony of German New Guinea and did little in terms of development.

German built an office on Saipan to administer the island, and the head administrator was Georg Fritz.^[25] San Jose church was built during the German period.^[26] The Germans established a public school system and homesteading program, and some efforts were put into copra production;there was an overall effort to grow the economy with roads being built and vocational/trades training.^[27] Pagan and Alamagan were leased to a company called Pagan Gesellschaft, which planned to produce copra there, although its goals were hampered by numerous typhoons. Eight islands were leased to bird hunters, which used the feathers for hats.^[23]

Early in World War I, Japan declared war on Germany and invaded the Northern Marianas. In 1919 after the war conlcuded, the League of Nations (LoN) awarded all of Germany's islands in the Pacific Ocean located north of the Equator, including the Northern Marianas, under mandate to Japan. Under this arrangement, the Japanese thus administered the Northern Marianas as part of the South Seas Mandate. During the Japanese period, sugar cane became the main industry of the islands. Garapan on Saipan was developed as a regional capital, and numerous Japanese (including ethnic Koreans, Okinawan, and Taiwanese) migrated to the islands. In the December 1939 census, the total population of the South Seas Mandate was 129,104, of whom 77,257 were Japanese (including ethnic Taiwanese and Koreans). On Saipan the pre-war population comprised 29,348 Japanese settlers and 3,926 Chamorro and Caroline Islanders; Tinian had 15,700 Japanese settlers (including 2,700 ethnic Koreans and 22 ethnic Chamorro). The Japanese built military type constructions on the island in the 1930s and in December 1941 used it as staging area to invade Guam, which was still part of the U.S. at that time.

During the Japanese mandate, the main economic focus was sugar productions, and for example about 98% of Tinian island was used to grow sugarcane.^[28]

World War II

Further information: Pacific Islands home front during World War II

 

Marine infantrymen in Garapan, Saipan

On December 8, 1941, hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces from the Marianas launched an invasion of Guam. Chamorros from the Northern Marianas, which had been under Japanese rule for more than 20 years, were brought to Guam to assist the Japanese administration. This, combined with the harsh treatment of Guamanian Chamorros during the 31-month occupation, created a rift that would become the main reason Guamanians rejected the referendum on reunification of Guam with the Northern Marianas that was approved by the Northern Marianas in the 1960s.^{[citation needed]}

On June 15, 1944, the United States military invaded the Mariana Islands, starting the Battle of Saipan, which ended on July 9. Of the 30,000 Japanese troops defending Saipan, fewer than 1,000 remained alive at the battle's end.^[29] Many civilians were also killed, by disease, starvation, enemy fire, or suicide – about 1,000 civilians killed themselves by jumping off cliffs.^[30] U.S. forces then recaptured Guam on July 21, and invaded Tinian on July 24. A year later Tinian was the takeoff point for the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Rota was left untouched (and isolated) until the Japanese surrender in August 1945, owing to its military insignificance and that U.S. forces followed an "island hopping" strategy which meant not invading islands they did not have to. The story of the holdouts on Anatahan was told in 1953 by Josef von Sternberg in his film The Saga of Anatahan.

The war did not end for everyone with the signing of the armistice. The last group of Japanese holdouts surrendered on Saipan on December 1, 1945. However, as mentioned on one of the islands to the north, Anahatan, a group of about 30 held out until 1951. The bizarre story has been the subject several movies and writings including The Saga of Anatahan. On a related note, on Guam, Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi, unaware that the war had ended, hid in a jungle cave in the Talofofo area until 1972.

Japanese nationals were eventually repatriated to the Japanese home islands. After WW2 the people of Marianas were able to return to the Northern Marianas, under protection of the a United Nations Trusteeship administered by the United States. During this time a series of referendums took place.

United Nations trusteeship ends, Commonwealth begins

See also: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

 

The island of Saipan

After Japan's defeat in World War II, the Northern Marianas were administered by the United States pursuant to Security Council Resolution 21 as part of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, which assigned responsibility for defense and foreign affairs to the United States as trustee.^[10] Four referendums offering integration with Guam or changes to the islands' status were held in 1958, 1961, 1963 and 1969. On each occasion, a majority voted in favor of integration with Guam, but this did not happen: Guam rejected integration in a 1969 referendum.^[31]: 188

In the 1975 Northern Mariana Islands status referendum nearly 80% voted to become Commonwealth of the United States, and in 1977 over 93% approved the constitution of the CNMI.^[32][33]

 

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^[34] was approved in a 1975 referendum.^[31]: 188 A new government and constitution partially came into effect in on January 9, 1978^[31]: 188 after being approved in a 1977 referendum.^[4] 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.^[31][35] Also on November 4, 1986, the Northern Mariana Islands constitution became fully effective under the Covenant.^[4]

In May 1981, volcanic eruptions led to evacuation of the island of Pagan.^{[31]: 185–86} Most residents of Pagan have not yet returned to Pagan due to ongoing volcanic activity.

In the 1960s and 1970s agriculture and ranching became an important activity with thousands of beef cattle, dairy cows, hogs, as well as many crops such as pineapple. The food production became an important source of food supply for the Marianas region.^[28]

The Chamorro-Carolinian Language Policy Commission was created in 1982 to carry out policies in support of the Chamorro and Carolinian languages and cultures.^[36][37][38]

In December 1986, twenty percent of the homes on Saipan were destroyed 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.^[31]: 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.^[39]

21st century

 

Pagan Island eruption in 2012

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;^[40] congressional delegates may participate in debates and serve (be elected to) on congressional committees but may not cast decisive votes on the House floor.^[41] In the United States, a non-voting delegate is not a new concept but rather goes back to before 1800; territorial delegates represent their regions interest in Congress, and their powers have been established over time going back to 1795. Major power of the territorial delegates (Which have also been called Resident Commissioner) besides participating in committees is speaking on the floor.^[42] Perhaps more importantly, the position is seen as a precursor to establishing voting rights, and discussion about granting a delegate voting rights have occurred.^[42]

In 2018, 18 embarked on mission to repopulate the northern islands Alamagan and Agrihan. They left Saipan aboard the M/V Super Emerald, and the families originally had come from Alamagan to resettle it. The months long project coordinated by the Mayors office, and plans to have clean water and radio contact, and also to hopefully send more families there.^[43] One returning Marianan remarked " I was born and raised on Saipan but my family is from Alamagan. We are going to live their for a long time....^[43] The 2020, the U.S. Census reported a total of 7 living in the northern islands.^[44]

Typhoon Yutu caused widespread damage in October 2018, and was the strongest typhoon known to hit the islands.^[45] Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel deployed to both Tinian and Saipan ahead of the storm. The U.S. president declared an emergency for the Northern Islands on October 24, 2018.^[46]

Geography

Main article: Geography of the Northern Mariana Islands

 

Saipan seen from the International Space Station

 

Map of the Northern Mariana Islands

 

Long Beach, Tinian

The Northern Mariana Islands, together with Guam to the south, compose the Mariana Islands archipelago. The southern islands are limestone, with level terraces and fringing coral reefs. The northern islands are volcanic, with active volcanoes on several islands, including Anatahan, Pagan, and Agrihan. The volcano on Agrihan, Mount Agrihan, has the highest elevation at 3,166 feet (965 m).^[47] An expedition organized by John D. Mitchler and Reid Larson made the first complete ascent to the summit of this peak on June 1, 2018.^[48]

The islands going from north to south, there are 14 main islands, but because some smaller islands are often grouped together. Also Zealandia Bank can be an island at times depending on the tide. In terms of area, it is smaller than Guam, however as an island change its hundreds of kilometers/miles from northern most to southernmost. Many islands have multiple names, due to popular nicknames; the names are usually Spanish, Chamorro, or English origin. Many of the islands have had to be evacuated due to volcanic activity.

• Farallon de Pajaros (or Uracus),
• Maug Islands (actually three islands, North, East, and West)
  • Supply reef, about 10 km from Maug has an active submarine volcano and various corals, it rises to within 8 meters of the surface.^[23]
• Asuncion Island
• Agrihan
• Pagan (Mostly uninhabited since a 1981 eruption)
• Alamagan
• Guguan
• Zealandia Bank, mostly submerged rocky outcops break the surface at low tide.
• Sarigan
• Anatahan, eruptions in 2003 and 2007-8
• Farallon de Medinilla
• Saipan
  • Mañagaha (small island West of Saipan)
  • Bird Island (Partially connected island on East of Saipan)
  • Forbidden Island (Partially connected island on South East of Saipan)
• Tinian, quiet rural island with many cattle ranches and historical sites
• Aguijan (Goat Island) (This uninhabited island south of Tinian is filled with birds and goats)
  • Naftan Rock
• Rota, (also known as Friendly Island) Also inhabited.

Anatahan Volcano is a small volcanic island 80 miles (130 km) north of Saipan. It is about 6 miles (10 km) long and 2 miles (3 km) wide. Anatahan began erupting from its east crater on May 10, 2003. It has since alternated between eruptive and calm periods.^[47] On April 6, 2005, an estimated 50,000,000 cubic feet (1,416,000 m³) of ash and rock were ejected, causing a large, black cloud to drift south over Saipan and Tinian.^[49]

• Northernmost point – Farallon de Pajaros
• Easternmost point – Farallon de Medinilla
• Southernmost point – Puntan Malikok, Rota
• Westernmost point – Farallon de Pajaros

The islands lie in the Marianas tropical dry forests terrestrial ecoregion.^[50]

The area of ocean to the east of the islands, along with parts of the islands themselves, is part of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument. This area includes three northernmost islands; the "Arc of Fire" refuge, which includes 21 underwater volcanic sites; and the trench region, which goes to the maximum limit of the EEZ. The nature preserve aims to protect the unique marine life which includes seabirds, sea turtles, unique coral reefs, and life around under-sea vents. The Marianas Trench itself includes the deepest ocean water on the planet, along with other underwater wonders, including a pool of liquid sulfur located at Daikoku, which is an underwater volcano.^[51] (see also Challenger Deep)

Heading south from the CNMI, south of Rota is Guam. To the east is Wake island, then further east is the island of Midway, and eventually the start of the Hawaiian island chain. American Samoa is located to the east and south, and lies below the Equator. To the north and east, lies Alaska, which is a string of islands known as the Aleutians. To the west of the CNMI is the Philippines, and to the south and west is Palua, home to Chamorro people. To the south and east is Micronesia, which is home to the Carolinian people, many of which also settled on the CNMI centuries ago.

Saipan has some additional semi-attached islets, one of which being Bird Island, a nature reserve for birds. It is connected to Saipan only at low tide.^[52] Forbidden Island is similar, but larger on the south east side of Saipan.^[53]

Climate

The Northern Mariana Islands have a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen: Af) moderated by seasonal northeast trade winds, with little seasonal temperature variation. The dry season runs from December to June; the rainy season runs from July to November and can include typhoons. The Guinness Book of World Records has said Saipan has the most equable climate in the world.^[54]

Climate data for Saipan
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	87 (31)	89 (32)	86 (30)	87 (31)	90 (32)	89 (32)	89 (32)	89 (32)	90 (32)	88 (31)	87 (31)	88 (31)	90 (32)
Average high °F (°C)	81.2 (27.3)	79.7 (26.5)	79.8 (26.6)	83.1 (28.4)	84.4 (29.1)	85.0 (29.4)	84.1 (28.9)	84.0 (28.9)	83.8 (28.8)	83.7 (28.7)	83.3 (28.5)	81.4 (27.4)	82.8 (28.2)
Daily mean °F (°C)	77.3 (25.2)	76.3 (24.6)	76.4 (24.7)	78.5 (25.8)	79.9 (26.6)	80.2 (26.8)	79.6 (26.4)	79.6 (26.4)	79.4 (26.3)	79.3 (26.3)	79.1 (26.2)	77.8 (25.4)	78.6 (25.9)
Average low °F (°C)	73.4 (23.0)	72.9 (22.7)	73.1 (22.8)	73.9 (23.3)	75.5 (24.2)	75.3 (24.1)	75.1 (23.9)	75.2 (24.0)	75.0 (23.9)	74.9 (23.8)	75.0 (23.9)	74.1 (23.4)	74.5 (23.6)
Record low °F (°C)	68 (20)	67 (19)	64 (18)	63 (17)	66 (19)	70 (21)	64 (18)	67 (19)	67 (19)	67 (19)	68 (20)	68 (20)	63 (17)
Average rainfall inches (mm)	3.84 (98)	4.42 (112)	2.40 (61)	5.03 (128)	3.80 (97)	5.04 (128)	10.16 (258)	12.42 (315)	11.65 (296)	10.99 (279)	7.76 (197)	5.88 (149)	83.39 (2,118)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.01-inch)	18	16	15	17	18	20	24	24	23	25	21	19	240
Source: ^[55]

Politics and government

Main article: Politics of the Northern Mariana Islands

 

Arnold Palacios, the governor of the Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands have a multiparty presidential representative democratic system. They are a commonwealth of the United States. Federal funds to the commonwealth are administered by the Office of Insular Affairs of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Replicating the separation of powers elsewhere in the United States, the executive branch is headed by the governor of the Northern Mariana Islands; legislative power is vested in the bicameral Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Legislature and the judicial power is vested in the CNMI Supreme Court and the trial courts inferior to it.

Some critics, including the author of the political website Saipan Sucks, say that politics in the Northern Mariana Islands is often "more a function of family relationships and personal loyalties" where the size of one's extended family is more important than a candidate's personal qualifications. They charge that this is nepotism carried out within the trappings of democracy.^[56][57]

In April 2012, anticipating a loss of funding by 2014, the commonwealth's public pension fund declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy.^[58] The retirement fund is a defined benefit-type pension plan and was only partially funded by the government, with only $268.4 million in assets and $911 million in liabilities. The plan experienced low investment returns and a benefit structure that had been increased without raises in funding.^[59]

In August 2012, cries for impeachment^[60] arose, as the sitting governor Benigno Fitial was being held responsible for withholding payments from the pension fund,^[61] not paying the local utility (Commonwealth Utilities or "CUC") for government offices,^[62] cutting off funding to the only hospital in the Northern Marianas,^[63][64] interfering with the delivery of a subpoena to his attorney general,^[65] withholding required funds from the public schools,^[66][67] and for signing a sole source $190 million contract for power generation.^[68][69]

Further information: Political party strength in the Northern Mariana Islands

Northern Mariana Islands' delegation to the 2016 Republican National Convention boasted about being "the most Republican territory" in the U.S.^[70] In 2017, the Republican Party had large majorities in both the Northern Mariana Islands Senate and the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives, though no party has a majority in either chamber as of 2023.

Administrative divisions

The islands total 179.01 square miles (463.63 km²). The table gives an overview, with the individual islands listed from north to south:^[4][5]

Map all coordinates using: OpenStreetMap

Download coordinates as: KML GPX (all coordinates) GPX (primary coordinates) GPX (secondary coordinates)

No.	Islands/features^[71]	Area^[72]^[73]^[74]		Population (2020 census)^[7]	Height		Highest peak	Location
		sq mi	km^2		feet	m
Northern Islands (Northern Islands Municipality)
1	Farallon de Pajaros (Urracas)	0.985	2.55	—	1,047	319		20°33′N 144°54′E / 20.550°N 144.900°E / 20.550; 144.900 (Farallon de Pajaros)
	Supply Reef	0.00	0.00	—	−26	−8^[75]		20°08′N 145°6′E / 20.133°N 145.100°E / 20.133; 145.100
2	Maug Islands including -North Island -East Island -West Island	0.822	2.13	—	745	227	North Island	20°02′N 145°19′E / 20.033°N 145.317°E / 20.033; 145.317 (Maug Islands)
3	Asuncion	2.822	7.31	—	2,923	891		19°43′N 145°41′E / 19.717°N 145.683°E / 19.717; 145.683 (Asuncion)
4	Agrihan (Agrigan)^[n 1]	16.80	43.51	4	3,166	965	Mount Agrihan	18°46′N 145°40′E / 18.767°N 145.667°E / 18.767; 145.667 (Agrihan)
5	Pagan^[n 2]	18.24	47.24	2	1,900	579	Mount Pagan	18°08′36″N 145°47′39″E / 18.14333°N 145.79417°E / 18.14333; 145.79417 (Pagan)
6	Alamagan	4.29	11.11	1	2,441	744	Alamagan	17°35′N 145°50′E / 17.583°N 145.833°E / 17.583; 145.833 (Alamagan)
7	Guguan	1.494	3.87	—	988	301		17°20′N 145°51′E / 17.333°N 145.850°E / 17.333; 145.850 (Guguan)
	Zealandia Bank	0.0	0.0	—	0	0		16°45′N 145°42′E / 16.750°N 145.700°E / 16.750; 145.700
8	Sarigan^[n 3]	1.92	4.97	—	1,801	549	—	16°43′N 145°47′E / 16.717°N 145.783°E / 16.717; 145.783 (Sarigan)
9	Anatahan^[n 1]	12.05	31.21	—	2,582	787		16°22′N 145°40′E / 16.367°N 145.667°E / 16.367; 145.667 (Anatahan)
10	Farallon de Medinilla	0.328	0.85	—	266	81		16°01′N 146°04′E / 16.017°N 146.067°E / 16.017; 146.067 (Farallon de Medinilla)
Southern Islands (3 municipalities)
11	Saipan	44.55	115.38	43,385	1,555	474	Mount Tapochau	15°11′06″N 145°44′28″E / 15.18500°N 145.74111°E / 15.18500; 145.74111 (Saipan)
12	Tinian	39.00	101.01	2,044	558	170	Kastiyu (Lasso Hill)	14°57′12″N 145°38′54″E / 14.95333°N 145.64833°E / 14.95333; 145.64833 (Tinian)
13	Aguijan (Agiguan)^[n 4]	2.74	7.10	—	515	157	Alutom	14°42′N 145°18′E / 14.700°N 145.300°E / 14.700; 145.300 (Aguijan)
14	Rota	32.97	85.39	1,893	1,611	491	Mount Manira	14°08′37″N 145°11′08″E / 14.14361°N 145.18556°E / 14.14361; 145.18556 (Rota)
	Northern Mariana Islands	179.01	463.63	47,329	3,166	965	Mount Agrihan	14°08' to 20°33'N, 144°54° to 146°04'E
Notes evacuated 1990 due to volcanic eruptions evacuated 1981 due to volcanic eruptions formerly inhabited (population of 21 in 1935, but only 2 in 1968) part of Tinian Municipality

 

Map showing the four municipalities of the Northern Mariana Islands, with Guam shown for context and indicating which islands have airports

Administratively, the CNMI is divided into four municipalities:

The Northern Islands (north of Saipan) form the Northern Islands Municipality. The three main islands of the Southern Islands form the municipalities of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, with uninhabited Aguijan forming part of Tinian municipality.

Because of volcanic threat, the northern islands have been evacuated. Human habitation was limited to Agrihan, Pagan, and Alamagan, but population varied due to various economic factors, including children's education. The 2020 census showed only seven residents in the Northern Islands Municipality, and the Northern Islands' mayor office is located in "exile" on Saipan.

Saipan, Tinian, and Rota have the only ports and harbors and are the only permanently populated islands.

For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau counts the four municipalities of the Northern Mariana Islands as county equivalents.^[76]

Political status and autonomy

In 1947, the Northern Mariana Islands became part of the post–World War II United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI). The United States became the TTPI's administering authority under the terms of a trusteeship agreement. In 1976, Congress approved the mutually negotiated Covenant to establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America.^[77] The Covenant was codified on March 24, 1976, as Public Law 94-241.^[78] The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) government adopted its own constitution in 1977, and the new government took office in January 1978. Implementation of Covenant, which took effect on January 1, 1978, was completed on November 3, 1986, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation no. 5564; which placed into effect the Covenant With the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Compacts of Free Association With the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.^[79] This allowed the CNMI to be represented to the United States Government in Washington, DC by a Resident Representative, elected at-large by CNMI voters and whose office was paid for by the CNMI government. The Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 ("CNRA"), approved by the U.S. Congress on May 8, 2008, established a CNMI delegate's seat; Democrat Gregorio Sablan was elected in November 2008 as the first CNMI delegate and took office in the 111th Congress. Like the other five delegates in the House, the CNMI delegate participates in debates and vote in committee but has no vote on the floor of the House of Representatives, and has no role in the U.S. Senate, but is equal to a Senator when serving on a conference committee.

On December 22, 1990, the United Nations Trusteeship Council terminated the TTPI as it applied to the CNMI and five other of the TTPI's original seven districts (the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap)), this was acknowledged in United Nations Security Council Resolution 683 passed on the same day.

 

TTPI High Court judges (some time between 1968 and 1978)

Under the Covenant, only certain provisions of the U.S. Constitution apply to the Commonwealth and legislation passed by the U.S. Congress can only apply to the Commonwealth if it applies to all 50 states.^[80] The CNMI is outside the customs area of the United States and bona fide residents of the Commonwealth are exempt from U.S. federal income tax, as is the case in the four self-governing territories. According to the Covenant, the federal minimum wage and federal immigration laws "will not apply to the Northern Mariana Islands except in the manner and to the extent made applicable to them by the Congress by law after termination of the Trusteeship Agreement."^[81] Local control of minimum wage was superseded by the United States Congress in 2007; it was slowly raised until in 2015 it reached parity with the 50 states.

Initially under the Covenant a separate immigration system existed in the CNMI, and U.S. immigration law did not apply; but the Covenant gave the United States power of reservation over immigration law in the Commonwealth. After reports surfaced of abusive practices for immigrant workers, on November 28, 2009, the United States exercised its power of reservation; specifically, CNRA § 702(a) amended the Covenant to state that "the provisions of the 'immigration laws' (as defined in section 101(a)(17) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(17))) shall apply to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands." Further, under CNRA § 702(a), the "immigration laws," as well as the amendments to the Covenant, "shall...supersede and replace all laws, provisions, or programs of the Commonwealth relating to the admission of aliens and the removal of aliens from the Commonwealth."^[82] Transition to U.S. immigration laws began November 28, 2009.^[83][84]

Further information: Law of the Northern Mariana Islands

Judicial system

Cases under federal law are heard by the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, which was established by act of Congress in 1977, and began operations in January 1978. The court sits on the island of Saipan, but may sit other places within the commonwealth. The district court has the same jurisdiction as all other United States district courts, including diversity jurisdiction and bankruptcy jurisdiction. Appeals are taken to the Ninth Circuit. As a United States territorial court established under Congress's territorial power granted by Article IV of the United States Constitution, judges do not have lifetime appointments, unlike the Article III courts in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Cases under territorial law are heard by the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, with appeals heard by the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Citizenship

Article III of the Covenant conferred United States citizenship on legally qualified CNMI residents, which generally included all citizens of the CNMI, and established U.S. birthright citizenship for persons born in the CNMI.^[78] The CNMI has a number of special visa programs and conditions, one of the latest was the CNMI Long-Term Resident Status program.^[85] Per the terms covenant, since 1986, the Northern Marianas have had the right of Just Soli, children born here, as anywhere in the U.S. are citizens at birth.^[86] This has also allowed the CNMI to be a refuge for Moms-to-be to escape authoritarian regimes in East Asia, thus when their child is born in the Northern Marianas it can be a U.S. citizen.^[86] However, there is a number of restrictions on applying for citizenship which balances a number of VISA free exceptions, on top of the normal USA visa rules such as ESTA.^[87][86] There is a number of serious restrictions on immigration and citizenship rules in the CNMI, and its no possible to apply for asylum for example until 2030.^[88] The U.S. has tried to work with Asian countries and local Marianas to create a realistic balance that allows access but not abuse of the CNMI system and realistic pathways to citizenship according to the rules of the United States and a respect for human situations.^[86]

Further information: Northern Mariana citizenship and nationality

Economy

Main article: Economy of the Northern Mariana Islands

 

A proportional representation of Northern Mariana Islands exports, 2019

 

Saipan sunset

 

Rota's natural seawater swimming hole

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands benefits from its trading relationship with the federal government of the United States and cheap trained labor from Asia. Historically, the CNMI's economy has relied on tourism, mostly from Japan, and on the garment manufacturing sector. The economy has declined since quotas were lifted in 2005, eventually leading all the garment factories on Saipan to close by February 2009. Tourism also declined after 2005 when Japan Airlines stopped serving the Marianas.^[89]

Agricultural production, primarily of tapioca, cattle, coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes and melons, exists, but is relatively unimportant in the economy, representing only 1.7% of its GDP as of 2016.^[4] Although not huge economically anymore, it is very important for the community and region and the marianas with there thousands of cattle and rich soils are important for feeding the region, and Tinian has been known as the breadbasket of the Marianas.^[28] The cattle heards in the CNMI supply beef not only locally but is exported to Guam, Palua, and Micronesia.^[28] Some of the cattle breeds on Tianian in the 21st century include Senepol, Brangus (Brahman X Angus), Red Angus and Brahman, and various modern ranching techniques are utilized.^[28]

Non-native islanders are not allowed to own land, but can lease it.^[90]

Tourism

 

Looking at Saipan from Managaha

 

Micro Beach view

 

Northern Marianas Islands Museum

 

Pagan Island's natural stone arch

Tourism is popular and several hundred thousand people in a typical year will visit the CNMI, and one of highest years was 1997 when over 700 thousand visited the islands.^[91] Activities known to popular are jungle hikes, golfing, diving, and historical sites such as prehistoric stones.^[91] One of the golf courses was designed by professional champion golfer Greg Norman.^[91] A tourism hot spot is Managaha Island, which must be accessed by ferry and has various bbq vendors, water sport activities, and has wide sandy beaches surrounding a tropical forest.^[92] Tourists from the USA do not need a VISA, while there those from other countries that qualify for ESTA or the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program can usually stay for up to 45 or 90 days.^[93]

Noted tourist destinations in the CNMI include:^[92]

• Managaha Island (100 acre tropical beach island visited by ferry)
• American Memorial Park
• Micro Beach, a 1 km beach on the west side, so possible to see sunset.^[94]
• San Juan beach, with unique stone formation that is known for looking a bit like a crocidile.^[95][96]
• Rad/Ladder/Coral Beach on the southern part of Saipan, and is about 100 yards long and is mostly coral framents. It is popular for local barbques and beach running.^[97]
• Obyan Beach, a long beach in the south known for colorfull underwater life.^[98]
• Taga Beach (on Tinian island), the largest beach on Tinian and known for Sunset views.^[99]
• Latte Stones Quarry (a very old stone quarry of the Chamorro people)
• Mount Tapochau (highest point with views of Saipan), this site is known for its views and its possible to see other islands on clear day and is topped by statue of Jesus Christ.^[15]
• Kalabera Cave (features ancient cave drawings)
• Last Command Post (The final Japanese command post in the Battle of Saipan)
• Bird Island Sanctuary beach (beach by Bird Island sanctuary), faces east. There is also a Bird Island observatory to the south for observing the birds)^[100]
• Forbidden Island, this small island connected to Saipan is connected at low tide and can be hiked onto, but at high tide the water separates it. There is a lookout near this small island.^[53]
• Japanese Lighthouse (a lighthouse built in 1934 when the Northern Marianas were in the Japanese Mandate, currently a cafe with island views)^[101]
• NMI Museum of History and Culture^[102]
• The Grotto, on Saipan is a large underwater limestone cavern.^[103]
• Birth tourism, became more popular in the 2010s century with mothers coming from Asia to give birth, thus giving the baby a chance to be a U.S. Citizen.^[86]

Labor controversies

The Northern Mariana Islands had successfully used its position as a free trade area with the U.S., while at the same time not being subject to the same labor laws. For example, the $3.05 per hour minimum wage in the commonwealth, which lasted from 1997 to 2007, was lower than in the U.S. and some other worker protections are weaker, leading to lower production costs. That allowed garments to be labeled "Made in USA" without having to comply with all U.S. labor laws. However, the U.S. minimum wage law signed by President George W. Bush on May 25, 2007, resulted in stepped increases in the Northern Marianas' minimum wage, which allowed it to reach the U.S. level in 2015.^[104] The first step (to $3.55) became effective July 25, 2007, and a yearly increase of $0.50 will take effect every May thereafter until the CNMI minimum wage equals the nationwide minimum wage. However, a law signed by President Obama in December 2009 delayed the yearly increase from May to September. In 2018 the minimum wage finally reached $7.25, matching the U.S. federal minimum wage.^[105]

The island's exemption from U.S. labor laws had led to many alleged exploitations, including recent claims of sweatshops, child labor, child prostitution and forced abortions.^[106][107]

An immigration system mostly outside of federal U.S. control (which ended on November 28, 2009) resulted in a large number of Chinese migrant workers (about 15,000 during the peak years) employed in the islands' garment trade. However, the lifting of World Trade Organization restrictions on Chinese imports to the U.S. in 2005 had put the commonwealth-based trade under severe pressure, leading to a number of recent factory closures. Adding to the U.S.-imposed scheduled wage increases, the garment industry became extinct by 2009.^[108]

Further information: Saipan § Labor controversies

Infrastructure

 

Saipan International Airport entrance

The islands have over 220 miles (350 km) of highways, three airports with paved runways (one about 9,800 feet [3,000 m] long; two around 6,600 feet [2,000 m]), three airports with unpaved runways, and one heliport. The main commercial airport is Saipan International Airport.

There a commuting airline that provides short flights between Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.^[109] An example of an international route, is United Airlines flight to Narita Japan (Tokyo) three times a week to Saipain, launched in 2022. The flight is a three-hour flight.^[110]

Outside of the airliner and commuter flights, charter boat trips are needed to get around the islands. For example, to visit Pagan is a 200-mile boat trip.^[111]

Mail service for the islands is provided by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Each major island has its own ZIP code in the 96950–96952 range, and the USPS two-letter abbreviation for the CNMI is MP^[112][113] ("Marianas Pacific", NM and MI being taken). "CM" has been used previously and is still used in some contexts, but can be confused with Cameroon. For phone service, the islands are included in the North American Numbering Plan, using area code 670.^[112]

Television service is provided by KPPI-LD, Channel 7, which simulcasts Guam's ABC affiliate KTGM, as well as WSZE, Channel 10, which simulcasts Guam's NBC affiliate KUAM-TV. About 10 radio stations broadcast within the CNMI.

In 2012 Michael Calabrese, Daniel Calarco, and Colin Richardson of Slate stated that CNMI internet prices were five times those of Guam, and that the price per megabit increases if a customer chooses a higher level internet package due to the limited bandwidth.^[114] In 2023, some Federal funding for improving broadband was allocated.^[115]

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of the Northern Mariana Islands

See also: List of U.S. states and territories by population

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1960	8,286		—
1970	9,436		13.9%
1980	16,780		77.8%
1990	43,345		158.3%
2000	69,221		59.7%
2010	53,883		−22.2%
2020	47,329		−12.2%

According to the 2020 Census, the population of the CNMI was 47,329, down from 69,221 in 2000.^[7] The decrease was reportedly due to a combination of factors including the demise of the garment industry (the vast majority of whose employees were females from China), economic crises, and a decline in tourism, one of the CNMI's primary sources of revenue.^[84]

As of the 2020 Census, except for the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands are the second least populous sub-federal jurisdiction in the United States, next to American Samoa.^[116] However, the islands population has fluctuated over time hitting 80 thousand in 2000, then declining to around 50 thousand in the 2010s. In 1986, then the CNMI became U.S. citens it had a population of about 36 thousand. In 1950 the population was about 7 thousand.^[117] In comparison, in 1776 the smallest US states by population was Delaware with a population of about 60 thousand.^[118]

As of 2020, about 60% of the population are U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents, and the other 40% are Foreign workers.^[119] The United States has a program that monitors the ratio of workers to citizens and the number of lawful residents of different types.^[119]

A modest amount of Marianans have migrated to the US, with moves to the west coast being slightly more popular. One of the largest communities is in Washington State with a community with almost five thousand from the islands.^[120]

Languages

The official languages on the Northern Mariana Islands include English, Chamorro, and Carolinian. Few people still speak the nearly extinct Tanapag language. Many Philippine languages, Chinese, and other Pacific island languages are also spoken. Spanish is still retained in surnames but is no longer commonly used, though it is still familiar to some elders as a third or fourth language.^[121]

Ethnic groups

 

Northern Marianas students on Tinian in 2012

Based on the 2010 Census in the CIA World Factbook:^[122] The Northern Marianas is mostly a diverse mix of Asian and Pacific peoples

• Filipino 35.3%
• Chamorro 23.9%
• Multiracial 12.7% (2 or more backgrounds)
• Chinese 6.8%
• Other Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 6.4%
• Carolinian 4.6%
• Korean 4.2%
• Other Asian 3.7%
• Other 2.5%

Religion

 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Chalan Kanoa

Owing to the Spanish missionaries in the Marianas, a large majority of Chamorros and Carolinians practice Roman Catholicism. The Japanese occupation had the effect of creating a sizable Buddhist community which remained even after their departure. Due to influence of the United States, diverse denominations of Protestantism also entered the islands. Many people on the Northern Mariana Islands are Roman Catholic or have traditional beliefs. According to the Pew Research Center, 2010:^[123]

• Roman Catholic 64.1%
• Protestants 16%
• Buddhists 10.6%
• Folk religions 5.3%
• Other Christians 1.2%
• Other religions 1.1%
• Unaffiliated 1.0%
• Eastern Orthodox <1%
• Hindu <1%
• Muslim <1%
• Jews <1%

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 865 members in a ward (congregation) in the Northern Mariana Islands.^[124]

Education

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System operates public schools in the commonwealth and there are numerous private schools. Northern Marianas College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and offers a range of programs similar to other small U.S. community colleges.

Culture

 

Chamorro people

Much of the Chamorro culture in the Mariana Islands was heavily influenced by the Spanish during the Spanish era, as well as by the Germans and Japanese. Respect is an important part of Chamorro culture, and one common display is the tradition of "manngingi'". This tradition has been around for centuries and involves an elder and a young Chamorro child. The child takes the hand of the elder, places it on their nose and says ñot to the men and ñora to the women with the elders responding diosti ayudi (from Spanish Señor, Señora, Dios Te Ayude), meaning "God help you".

The Carolinian culture is very similar to the Chamorro culture, with respect being very important. The Carolinian culture can be traced back to Yap and Chuuk, where the Carolinians originated. One of the differences between Guam and the Northern Marianas, is the significant migration of the Carolinian (Modern day Micronesia) people and culture in addition to the Chamorros.

Cuisine

 

Tianaktak, finely ground meat cooked in coconut milk with vegetables

 

Estufao, a stewed meat dish similar to Kaddon pika

Main article: Cuisine of the Mariana Islands

Much of Chamorro cuisine is influenced by various cultures. Examples of popular foods of foreign origin include various types of sweet or savory empanada, originally introduced from Spain, and pancit, a noodle dish from the Philippines.

Archeological evidence reveals that rice has been cultivated in the Marianas since prehistoric times. Red rice made with achoti is a distinct staple food that strongly distinguishes Chamorro cuisine from that of other Pacific islands. It is commonly served for special events, such as parties (gupot or "fiestas"), novenas, and high school or college graduations. Fruits such as lemmai (breadfruit), mangga (mangoes), niyok (coconuts), and bilimbines (bilimbi, a fruit related to starfruit) are included in various local recipes. Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and American cuisine are also commonly available.

Local specialities include kelaguen, a dish in which meat is cooked in whole or in part by the action of citric acid rather than heat; tinaktak, a meat dish made with coconut milk; and kå'du fanihi (flying fox/fruit bat soup). Fruit bats have become scarce in modern times on several islands, primarily due to the overharvesting of the species and loss of habitat; hunting them is now illegal even though poaching still occurs.

The Marianas and the Hawaiian islands are the world's foremost consumers, per capita, of Spam, with Guam at the top of the list, and Hawaii second (details regarding the rest of the Marianas are often absent from statistics). Spam was introduced to the islands by the American military as war rations during the World War II era.

Spam is considered a "default" meal or snack and is often incorporated into recipes such as Spam sushi, Spam pizza, Spam and eggs, Spam-fried rice.^[125] The food is popular on other islands also including Guam and Hawaiian islands, and one popular flavor is hot and spicy spam.^[125]

Cinema

Main article: Cinema of Northern Mariana Islands

A small independent cinema of Northern Mariana Islands, producing mostly documentary films, developed in the 21st century thanks to the efforts of the Commonwealth and of the Northern Marianas College. Films had already been shot in the islands in the 20th century by foreign producers.^[126]

In 2002, a new § 2151 of the Commonwealth Code established within the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA), a Commonwealth Film, Video and Media Office, also known as the Northern Mariana Islands Film Office, with the purpose of attracting foreign companies to produce movies in the Commonwealth and to develop a local cinema industry.^[127]

Sports

 

Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field

Team sports popular in the United States were introduced to the Northern Mariana Islands by American soldiers during World War II. Baseball is the islands' most popular sport. CNMI teams have made appearances in the Little League World Series (in the Little, Junior, Senior and Big league divisions) as well as winning gold medals in the Micronesian Games and South Pacific Games.

Basketball and mixed martial arts are also popular in the islands, which hosted the official 2009 Oceania Basketball Tournament. Trench Wars is the CNMI's Mixed Martial Arts brand.^[128] Fighters from the CNMI have competed in the Pacific Xtreme Combat as well as the UFC.

Other sports in the CNMI include Ultimate Frisbee,^[129] volleyball, tennis, soccer, outrigger sailing, softball, beach volleyball, rugby, golf, boxing, kickboxing, tae kwon do, track and field, swimming, triathlon, and football.

The islands have several golf courses, mostly on Saipan and often near resorts.^[130] There are four golf courses on Saipan as of the 2020s: Marianas Country Club, Laolao Bay Country Club, Coral Ocean Point Resort Clu, and Kingfisher Golf Links. On Rota island to south there is another Rota Resort & Country Club. All the courses have 18 holes, but the level of difficulty varies.^[131]

Flora and fauna

 

Mariana Fruit Dove

The official bird of the Northern Marianas islands is the Mariana fruit dove and the official flower is the Plumeria.^[132] The islands are home to many tropical plants and animals, as well as around the islands marine life such as whales as dugongs.^[132] The islands are heavily forested, at about 80% ground cover consisting of tropical forest. Trees include palm, banana, pine, fern, and plumeria.^[132] There are many species of coral around the islands, many of which are ringed by coral reefs, and some islands have upwards of 60 species of coral.^[23]

There are nine known species of bird endemic to the northern Marianas, such as the Saipan Reed Warbler and Golden white-eye, as well as a variety of invertebrate, insect, and plants. Some of examples include Langford's Tree Snail Partula langfordi or the Tree Fern Cyathea aramaganensis.^[133]

Further information: List of endemic plants in the Mariana Islands

See also

• An Act to amend Public Law 93-435 with respect to the Northern Mariana Islands
• Outline of the Northern Mariana Islands
• Index of Northern Mariana Islands-related articles
• List of National Register of Historic Places in the Northern Mariana Islands

Notes

1. The Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, outside of US confederation. See the page for the Insular Cases for more information.
2. The definition of Commonwealth according to U.S. State Department policy (as codified in the department's Foreign Affairs Manual) reads: "The term 'Commonwealth' does not describe or provide for any specific political status or relationship."^[9]

References

1. "Northern Mariana Islands". www.britannica.com/place/Northern-Mariana-Islands. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
2. "Northern Mariana Islands". Pew Research Center. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
3. "AAPI – Asian American and Pacific Islander – Primer". Environmental Protection Agency. June 28, 2006. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
4. "Australia-Oceania :: Northern Mariana Islands (Territory of the US)". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. September 25, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
5. Area:total: 464 sq km land: 464 sq km water: 0 sq km note: consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
6. "Our District". Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan Representing the Northern Mariana Islands. from the original on November 5, 2020. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the total land area of all islands as 179 square miles.
7. 2020 Census Population of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Municipality and Village, U.S. Census Bureau.
8. "Northern Mariana Islands | Data". data.worldbank.org. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
9. . U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual Volume 7- Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State. January 3, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
10. Lin, Tom C.W., Americans, Almost and Forgotten, 107 California Law Review (2019)
11. "List of former Trust and Non-Self-Governing Territories". United Nations. April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
12. . US Department of the Interior. Archived from the original on September 26, 2011.
13. "Pagan". Retrieved October 8, 2023.
14. Ella Coppola. "How Tall Is California? Total Distance North to South". Retrieved October 8, 2023.
15. "Mount Tapochau". AFAR Media. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
16. "Agrihan High Point - Peakbagger.com". www.peakbagger.com. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
17. Joe Taitano II (July 30, 2021). "Residents of Pagan evacuated, CNMI monitoring volcanic activity". Retrieved October 8, 2023.
18. Hung, Hsiao-chun; Carson, Mike T.; Bellwood, Peter; Campos, Fredeliza Z.; Piper, Philip J.; Dizon, Eusebio; Bolunia, Mary Jane Louise A.; Oxenham, Marc; Chi, Zhang (2015). "The first settlement of Remote Oceania: the Philippines to the Marianas". Antiquity. 85 (329): 909–926. doi:10.1017/S0003598X00068393.
19. Zotomayor, Alexie Villegas (March 12, 2013). "Archaeologists say migration to Marianas longest ocean-crossing in human history". Marianas Variety News and Views: 2. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
20. Zotomayor, Alexie (March 11, 2013). "Archaeologist says migration to Marianas longest ocean-crossing in human history". Marianas Variety. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
21. "About the CNMI". Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Office of the Governor. from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2020. In 1668, 147 years after Magellan's encounter, Fr. Diego Luis de San Vitores, a Jesuit priest, arrived in The Marianas with the mission to convert and implement Christianity among the Chamorros, thus beginning the colonization of The Marianas by Spain. The islands were named after Queen Maria Ana of Spain.
22. "Culture of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands". EveryCulture.com. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
23. "Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam – Pacific Islands Benthic Habitat Mapping Center". Retrieved October 21, 2023.
24. Cunningham, Lawrence J. (1992). Ancient Chamorro Society. Bess Press. pp. 193–195. ISBN 978-1-880188-05-7.
25. "Partition of the Marianas". October 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
26. "Trip.com-Verification". verify.trip.com. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
27. "The German Period". NMI Museum. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
28. Duponcheel, Lawerence (May 4, 2015). "Tinian's 'growing' role in Marianas history". Letters to the Editor. The Guam Daily Post. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
29. "Battle Of Saipan". Historynet.com. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
30. Trefalt, Beatrice (November 2009). "After the Battle for Saipan: the Internment of Japanese Civilians at Camp Susupe, 1944–1946". Japanese Studies. 29 (3): 337–352. doi:10.1080/10371390903298037. S2CID 144676151 – via Taylor & Francis Online.
31. Bendure, G. & Friary, N. (1988). Micronesia:A travel survival kit. South Yarra, VIC: Lonely Planet.
32. Beat Müller (June 17, 1975). "Nördliche Marianen, 17. Juni 1975: Commonwealth mit den USA -- [in German]". www.sudd.ch. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
33. Beat Müller (March 6, 1977). "Nördliche Marianen, 6. März 1977: Verfassung -- [in German]". www.sudd.ch. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
34. The Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union With the United States of America, Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 94–241, 90 Stat. 263, enacted March 24, 1976
35. "Proclamation 5564—United States Relations With the Northern Mariana Islands, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands". The American Presidency Project. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
36. "Chamorro-Carolinian Language Policy Commission". Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Office of the Secretary. from the original on November 5, 2020.
37. "Chamorro Carolinian Language Policy Commission – Melvin Faisao". April 26, 2020. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2020 – via YouTube.
38. Iva Maurin (February 25, 2020). "First ever Chamorro-Carolinian Mother Language Day kicks off". Saipan Tribune. from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
39. . Archived from the original on September 7, 2006. Retrieved October 8, 2023. Local earthquakes and strong thermal activity; youngest surge deposits appear no more than a few hundred years old. Monatsbericht 04/1990 im Global Volcanism Program
40. . November 21, 2008. Archived from the original on November 21, 2008.
41. Hudiburg, Jane A. (March 1, 2022). Delegates to the U.S. Congress: History and Current Status (Report). Congressional Research Service.
42. "Territorial Delegates to the U.S. Congress: Current Issues and Historical Background". www.everycrsreport.com. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
43. Correspondent, Bea Cabrera | (July 2, 2018). "18 to resettle on Northern Islands". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
44. 2020 Census Population of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island
45. "SUPER TYPHOON YUTU: ONE YEAR LATER". Federal Emergency Management Agency. October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
46. Chris Mooney; Juliet Eilperin; Allyson Chiu (October 25, 2018). "Category 5 typhoon Yutu devastates the Northern Marianas in worst storm to hit any part of U.S. since 1935". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
47. "Global Volcanism Program | Agrigan". volcano.si.edu. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
48. Frick-Wright, Peter (January 15, 2019). "The Obsessive Quest of High Pointers". Outside. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
49. HVO, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. . hvo.wr.usgs.gov. Archived from the original on December 17, 2016. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
50. Dinerstein, Eric; et al. (2017). "An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm". BioScience. 67 (6): 534–545. doi:10.1093/biosci/bix014. ISSN 0006-3568. PMC 5451287. PMID 28608869.
51. Fisheries, NOAA (March 11, 2022). "Marianas Trench Marine National Monument | NOAA Fisheries". NOAA. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
52. "Latest travel itineraries for Bird Island in October (updated in 2023), Bird Island reviews, Bird Island address and opening hours, popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near Bird Island". TRIP.COM. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
53. "Latest travel itineraries for Bird Island in October (updated in 2023), Bird Island reviews, Bird Island address and opening hours, popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near Bird Island - Trip.com". TRIP.COM. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
54. . Archived from the original on September 6, 2006. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
55. "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". NOAA. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
56. Ellis, Jimmie L. (May 1, 2004). Total Resource Sharing among Collegiate and Public Libraries in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: A Narrative Case Study (EdD thesis). University of San Diego. p. 65. doi:10.22371/05.2004.005.
57. Charles P. Reyes Jr. (March 30, 1999). . Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on May 16, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2008.
58. "Review & Outlook: The Mariana Pension Foreshock". The Wall Street Journal. May 11, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
59. Mercado, Darla (April 19, 2012). "In apparent first, a public pension plan files for bankruptcy". Pensions and Investments. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
60. "Impeach The Governor". Marianas Variety. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
61. "Retirement Fund in Disarray". Marianas Variety. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
62. "Gov't Owes CUC $8.9 million". Marianas Variety. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
63. . Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
64. "CHC Tailspin Continues". Retrieved August 21, 2012.
65. . Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
66. . Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
67. . Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
68. "Maratita takes Fitial to court over 'unconstitutional' power agreement; seeks TRO". Retrieved August 21, 2012.
69. . Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
70. Moody, Chris (July 26, 2016). "State roll calls: What RNC, DNC delegates want you to know". CNN.
71. Geography of the Pacific. 1951. p. 208.
72. "Coral reef ecosystem monitoring report of the Mariana Archipelago: a 2003 – 2007" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (PDF) from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
73. "2015 CNMI Statistical Yearbook" (PDF).
74. "Über die Marianen". Gaebler Info und Genealogie (in German). from the original on August 21, 2020.
75. "Supply Reef". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
76. "States, Counties, and Statistically Equivalent Entities (Chapter 4)" (PDF). Census.gov. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
77. "Covenant to establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America".
78. "Public Law 94-241" (PDF). uscode.house.gov. March 24, 1976.
79. See
    • "Proclamation 5564—Placing into full force and effect the Covenant With the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Compacts of Free Association With the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands". Codification of Presidential Proclamations and Executive Orders. Federal Register. November 3, 1986.
    • "8 FAM 302.2: Acquisition by birth in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands". Foreign Affairs Manual and Handbook. U.S. Department of State. May 15, 2020.
80. "Covenant". Commonwealth Law Revision Commission.
81. . US Department of the Interior. Archived from the original on June 14, 2006.
82. (PDF). US Department of Justice: Executive Office for Immigration Review. March 29, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 26, 2011.
83. Robert J. Misulich. "A Lesser-Known Immigration Crisis: Federal Immigration Law in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands" (PDF). Digital.law.washington.edu. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
84. Haidee V. Eugenio (January 1, 2010). . Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on September 26, 2011.
85. "CNMI Long-Term Resident Status | USCIS". www.uscis.gov. December 7, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
86. Coleman, Zach. "'Birth tourism' in Saipan causing headaches for USA". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
87. "Visa Waiver Program and Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program | Homeland Security". www.dhs.gov. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
88. "U.S. Immigration Law in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) | USCIS". www.uscis.gov. October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
89. Northern Mariana Islands Business Law Handbook: Strategic Information and Laws. IBP USA. January 1, 2012. pp. 41–48. ISBN 978-1-4387-7068-0.
90. "Overseas Territories Review: Northern Marianas Retains constitutional land ownership provisions". Overseasreview.blogspot.com. June 10, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
91. Team, Travel (July 16, 2019). "Northern Mariana Islands Travel Guide". Outlook Travel Magazine. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
92. "Northern Mariana Islands — Attractions". www.iexplore.com. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
93. "ESTA application and traveling to Saipan". ESTA Online Center (in Japanese). Retrieved October 21, 2023.
94. "Latest travel itineraries for Micro Beach in October (updated in 2023), Micro Beach reviews, Micro Beach address and opening hours, popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near Micro Beach". TRIP.COM. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
95. "Top 10 Things to Do in Northern Mariana Islands in October (Updated 2023) | Trip.com Attractions". TRIP.COM. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
96. "Latest travel itineraries for San Juan Beach in October (updated in 2023), San Juan Beach reviews, San Juan Beach address and opening hours, popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near San Juan Beach". TRIP.COM. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
97. "Latest travel itineraries for Ladder Beach in October (updated in 2023), Ladder Beach reviews, Ladder Beach address and opening hours, popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near Ladder Beach". TRIP.COM. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
98. "Latest travel itineraries for Obyan Beach in October (updated in 2023), Obyan Beach reviews, Obyan Beach address and opening hours, popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near Obyan Beach". TRIP.COM. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
99. "Latest travel itineraries for Taga Beach in October (updated in 2023), Taga Beach reviews, Taga Beach address and opening hours, popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near Taga Beach". TRIP.COM. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
100. "Bird Island Beach". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
101. "Old Japanese Lighthouse". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
102. MVA (October 6, 2021). "NMI celebrates World Tourism Day". Marianas Variety News & Views. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
103. "The Grotto". AFAR Media. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
104. Jayvee L. Vallejera (May 27, 2007). . Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
105. Perez, Jon (October 1, 2018). "$7.25 per hour". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
106. Rebecca Clarren (May 9, 2006). . TomPaine.com. Archived from the original on December 26, 2007. Retrieved February 20, 2008.
107. Rebecca Clarren (Spring 2006). . Ms. Archived from the original on July 2, 2006. Retrieved November 11, 2006.
108. Haidee V. Eugenio (May 1, 2014). . Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
109. "US Congressman wants EAS eligibility for CNMI". ch-aviation. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
110. "United Airlines Launches a new service to Saipan on September 1!". NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIAL WEBSITE. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
111. Steve Limtiaco (August 11, 2019). "Here's why Pagan homestead applicants are having trouble getting permits to live on island". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
112. . CNMI Commonwealth Law Revision Commission. Archived from the original on May 9, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
113. "Publication 28, Postal Addressing Standards Appendix B: Two–Letter State and Possession Abbreviations". United States Postal Service. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
114. Calabrese, Michael; Daniel Calarco; Colin Richardson (May 24, 2012). "The Most Expensive Internet in America". Slate. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
115. Buch, Kabir (October 11, 2023). "High speed internet package comes to the Northern Mariana Islands". Pasquines. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
116. "Census map" (PDF). Census.gov. 2010.
117. "Northern Mariana Islands Population 1950-2023". Retrieved October 8, 2023.
118. "In July 1776, 2.5 Million People Lived in the 13 Colonies And ..." Retrieved October 8, 2023.
119. Office, U. S. Government Accountability. "Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Recent Workforce Trends and Wage Distribution | U.S. GAO". www.gao.gov. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
120. "Analysis | People are fleeing Puerto Rico, Guam and every other U.S. territory. What gives?". Washington Post. September 23, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
121. Solenberger, Robert R. (1962). "The Social Meaning of Language Choice in the Marianas". Anthropological Linguistics. 4 (1): 59–64. JSTOR 30022346.
122. "People and Society". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
123. "Religions in Northern Mariana Islands – PEW-GRF". GlobalReligiousFutures.org.
124. "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Northern Mariana Islands". Newsroom. LDS Church. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
125. Arin Greenwood. "Gadfly Online. Isle of Canned Meat". www.gadflyonline.com. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
126. "Commonwealth Film & Media Amendment Act of 2011". Bill of 2011 (PDF). Seventeenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature.
127. "Commonwealth Film, Video and Media Office Established". Article 2151, Commonwealth Code of 2002 (PDF). Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature.
128. says, Soena Charley (March 12, 2010). . Frank The Crank Camacho's Big Adventure. Archived from the original on February 23, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
129. Saipan, Ultimate (November 6, 2017). "Saipan Ultimate Frisbee to hold Saipan Land and Sand Tournament". Marianas Variety. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
130. "Northern Mariana Islands". Golf Advisor.
131. Resort, Mariana; Spa; Saipan (November 1, 2011). "Saipan's scenic championship courses". Air Golf Japan. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
132. "Northern Mariana Islands". Geography. April 6, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
133. "Animals and Plants Unique to the Northern Mariana Islands". lntreasures.com. Retrieved November 9, 2023.

Further reading

• The World Factbook, 2000.
• Land areas and population data from United States Census Bureau.
• Northern Mariana Islands and constituent municipalities, United States Census Bureau

External links

Government

• – Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (archived April 28, 2009)
• The CNMI Covenant
• (archived October 5, 2008)
• (archived May 23, 2007)
• (archived December 24, 2008)
• (archived December 23, 2008)

General

• U.S. Census Bureau: Island Areas Census 2000
• Northern Mariana Islands. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency.
• Northern Mariana Islands at Curlie
•   Wikimedia Atlas of Northern Mariana Islands
•   Northern Mariana Islands travel guide from Wikivoyage

News media

• KSPN-TV Channel 2 News
• Saipan Tribune
• Marianas Variety
• The Pacific Times

Other

• The Insular Empire: America in the Mariana Islands, PBS documentary film & website

16°42′18″N 145°46′48″E / 16.70500°N 145.78000°E / 16.70500; 145.78000