Northern Mariana Islands

Gateway to Micronesia

Territory Overview

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is a U.S. commonwealth of 14 islands in the Western Pacific, just north of Guam.

Key Information

  • Capital:Saipan (Capitol Hill)
  • Population:47,329 (2020)
  • Area:179 sq mi (464 km²) of land
  • Main Islands:Saipan, Tinian, Rota
  • Official Languages:English, Chamorro, Carolinian
  • Status:Commonwealth in political union with the U.S.

Practical Details

  • Currency:U.S. Dollar
  • Citizenship:U.S. Citizens by birth (since 1986)
  • Time Zone:Chamorro Standard Time (UTC+10)
  • Neighbor:Guam, about 120 miles south of Saipan

Territory Symbols

Official symbols of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Official Symbols

  • Flower:
    Plumeria (Flores Mayo)
  • Bird:
    Mariana Fruit Dove
  • Tree:
    Flame Tree (Arbol del Fuego)
  • Flag:
    White star over a latte stone on a blue field

Territory Facts

History, culture and landmarks of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Historical Facts

  • Colonial Rule:
    Spain, then Germany (1899) and Japan (1914)
  • Battle of Saipan:
    June to July 1944
  • Tinian:
    Launch site of the 1945 atomic bomb missions
  • Covenant with U.S.:
    Approved 1975, commonwealth since 1978

Landmarks & Nature

  • American Memorial Park:
    National Park Service site on Saipan
  • Banzai Cliff and Suicide Cliff:
    WWII memorials on Saipan
  • House of Taga:
    Giant latte stones on Tinian
  • Mariana Trench:
    The deepest ocean trench on Earth lies to the east

Culture

  • Peoples:
    Chamorro and Refaluwasch (Carolinian)
  • Main Industries:
    Tourism, Government, Services