Northern Mariana Islands

Location:

Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

Border Countries:

Terrain:

southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic

Geography:

strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean

Capital:

Saipan

About Northern Mariana Islands

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.

Population:

86,616 (July 2008 est.)

Language:

Philippine languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%, Chamorro 22.4%, English 10.8%, other Pacific island languages 9.5%, other 9.6% (2000 census)

Religion:

Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found)

Phone Service:

NA

Currency:

US dollar (USD)

Climate:

tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October

Natural Hazards:

active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)