Northern Mariana Islands : Ask Biography

General information

Common name

Northern Mariana Islands

Local name

Sankattan Siha Na Islas Mariånas

Name

Sankattan Siha Na Islas Mariånas

Anthem

Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi (Chamorro)
Satil Matawal Pacifiko (Carolinian)

Capital

Saipan

Official languages

English, Chamorro, Carolinian

Government

Government

Presidential representative democracy

President

Barack Obama

Governor

Benigno R. Fitial

Lt. Governor

Eloy S. Inos

Commonwealth

Commonwealth (in union with United States)

Covenant

1975

Commonwealth status

1978

end of trusteeship

1986

Geography

Total Area

179.01 sq mi (463.6 km2) (195th)

Water %

negligible

Demography

Population Est.

86616 (198th)

Population census

69221 (2000)

Density (pop.)

24.6/km² (n/a) (63.8/sq mi)

Economy

Other information

Currency

United States dollar (USD)

Internet TLD

.mp

Calling code

+1-670

Home | Country | Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, occupying a strategic region of the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines. The United States Census Bureau reports the total land area of all islands as 179.01 sqmi (463.6 km2).

The Northern Mariana Islands has a population of 80,362 (2005 estimate). The official 2000 census count was 69,221. More than 90% of the population lives on the island of Saipan. Of the fourteen other islands, only two - Tinian and Rota - have a significant population. The islands of Agrihan and Alamagan have fewer than ten residents each, and the remaining islands are unpopulated.

The Commonwealth's center of government is in the village of Capitol Hill on Saipan. As the island is governed as a single municipality, most publications name Saipan as the Commonwealth's capital.