World · permanent entity record · MP

Northern Mariana Islands

Thirty-second orientation

Northern Mariana Islands at a glance

Capital: name: Saipan geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the origin of the name is unclear; it probably comes from a local word meaning "deserted" or "uninhabited," but stories vary on how it came to be used; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05
Population: total: 51,118 (2024 est.) male: 27,044 female: 24,074; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05
Area: total : 464 sq km land: 464 sq km water: 0 sq km note: consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05
Nationality / demonym: noun: NA (US citizens) adjective: NA; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05
Government: a commonwealth in political union with and under the sovereignty of the US; republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05
Languages: Philippine languages 32.8%, Chamorro (official) 24.1%, English (official) 17%, other Pacific island languages 10.1% (includes Carolinian (official), Chinese 6.8%, other Asian languages 7.3%, other 1.9% (2010 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05

Claims are attributed · classifications are dated

Claims and contested status

Maintained classification

Dependency or area of special sovereignty

United States

U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31

A claim’s appearance records that the cited source reports it. It does not constitute an Almanac ruling on sovereignty.

Maintained profile

Classification: Dependency or area of special sovereignty; U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31Federal classification and wording follow the current State Department register.
Sovereignty or administration: United States; U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31
Administrative center: Saipan; U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-05 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Austronesian people settled the Northern Mariana Islands around 1500 B.C. These people became the indigenous Chamorro and were influenced by later migrations, including Micronesians in the first century A.D. and island Southeast Asians around 900. Spanish explorer Ferdinand MAGELLAN sailed through the Mariana Islands in 1521, and Spain claimed them in 1565. Spain formally colonized the Mariana Islands in 1668 and administered the archipelago from Guam. Spain’s brutal repression of the Chamorro, along with new diseases and intermittent warfare, reduced the indigenous population by about 90% in the 1700s. With a similar dynamic occurring on Guam, Spain forced the Chamorro from the Northern Mariana Islands to resettle there. By the time they returned, many other Micronesians, including Chuukese and Yapese, had already settled on their islands. In 1898, Spain ceded Guam to the US after the Spanish-American War but sold the Northern Mariana Islands to Germany under the German-Spanish Treaty of 1899. Germany administered the territory from German New Guinea but took a hands-off approach to day-to-day life. Following World War I, Japan administered the islands under a League of Nations mandate. Japan focused on sugar production and brought in thousands of Japanese laborers, who quickly outnumbered the Chamorro on the islands. During World War II, Japan invaded Guam from the Northern Mariana Islands and used Marianan Chamorro as translators with Guamanian Chamorro, creating friction between the two Chamorro communities that continues to this day. The US captured the Northern Mariana Islands in 1944 after the Battle of Saipan and later administered them as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI). On four occasions in the 1950s and 1960s, voters opted for integration with Guam, which Guam rejected in 1969. In 1978, the Northern Mariana Islands was granted self-governance separate from the rest of the TTPI, and in 1986, islanders were granted US citizenship, with the territory coming under US sovereignty as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). In 2009, the CNMI became the final US territory to elect a nonvoting delegate to the US Congress.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Geography17 fields

Location: Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Map references: Oceania; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Area: total : 464 sq km land: 464 sq km water: 0 sq km note: consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Land boundaries: total: 0 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Coastline: 1,482 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Climate: tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Elevation: highest point: Agrihan Volcano 965 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Natural resources: arable land, fish; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 1.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.8% (2023 est.) forest: 53% (2023 est.) other: 45.9% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Irrigated land: 1 sq km (2012); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Population distribution: approximately 90% of the population lives on the island of Saipan; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Natural hazards: active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Geography - note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

People and Society23 fields

Population: total: 51,118 (2024 est.) male: 27,044 female: 24,074; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Nationality: noun: NA (US citizens) adjective: NA; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Ethnic groups: Asian 50% (includes Filipino 35.3%, Chinese 6.8%, Korean 4.2%, and other Asian 3.7%), Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 34.9% (includes Chamorro 23.9%, Carolinian 4.6%, and other Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 6.4%), other 2.5%, two or more ethnicities or races 12.7% (2010 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Languages: Philippine languages 32.8%, Chamorro (official) 24.1%, English (official) 17%, other Pacific island languages 10.1% (includes Carolinian (official), Chinese 6.8%, other Asian languages 7.3%, other 1.9% (2010 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.1% (male 6,066/female 5,231) 15-64 years: 67.7% (male 18,206/female 16,377) 65 years and over: 10.2% (2024 est.) (male 2,772/female 2,466); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 47.8 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 32.7 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 15.1 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 6.6 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Median age: total: 32.6 years (2025 est.) male: 31.8 years female: 33.2 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Population growth rate: -0.33% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Birth rate: 15.8 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Death rate: 5.91 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Net migration rate: -13.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Population distribution: approximately 90% of the population lives on the island of Saipan; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 92.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.36% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Major urban areas - population: 51,000 SAIPAN (capital) (2018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.17 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 14.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.1 years (2024 est.) male: 75 years female: 79.5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Total fertility rate: 2.53 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.17 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Drinking water source: total: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Sanitation facility access: total: 99.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.6% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 38.2% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Environment5 fields

Environmental issues: contamination of groundwater on Saipan; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Climate: tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 1.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.8% (2023 est.) forest: 53% (2023 est.) other: 45.9% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 92.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.36% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 32,800 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 36% (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Government21 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District abbreviation: CNMI etymology: Spain named the islands in 1667 in honor of the Spanish Queen, MARIANA of Austria; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Government type: a commonwealth in political union with and under the sovereignty of the US; republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Dependency status: commonwealth in political union with and under the sovereignty of the US; federal funds administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Capital: name: Saipan geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the origin of the name is unclear; it probably comes from a local word meaning "deserted" or "uninhabited," but stories vary on how it came to be used; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Administrative divisions: no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 4 municipalities are considered second-order: Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Legal system: the laws of the US apply, except for customs and some aspects of taxation; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Constitution: history: partially effective 9 January 1978 (Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands); fully effective 4 November 1986 (Covenant Agreement) amendment process: proposed by constitutional convention, by public petition, or by the Legislature; ratification of proposed amendments requires approval by voters at the next general election or special election; amendments proposed by constitutional convention or by petition become effective if approved by a majority of voters and at least two-thirds majority of voters in each of two senatorial districts; amendments proposed by the Legislature are effective if approved by majority vote; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Citizenship: see United States; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal note: inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025) head of government: Governor David M. APATANG (since 24 July 2025) cabinet: Sworn in by CNMI Chief Justice Alexandro Castro on Thursday, 24 July 2025 election/appointment process: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of electors chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of the Northern Mariana Islands do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds, if needed most recent election date: 8 November 2022, with a runoff held on 25 November 2022 election results: 2022: Arnold PALACIOS elected governor in second round; percent of vote in first round - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 38.8%; Arnold PALACIOS (independent) 32.2%, Tina SABLAN (Democrat) 28%; percent of vote in second round - Arnold PALACIOS 54%, Ralph TORRES 46%; David APATANG (independent) elected lieutenant governor 2018: Ralph TORRES elected governor; percent of vote - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 62.2%, Juan BABAUTA (independent) 37.8%; Arnold PALACIOS elected lieutenant governor expected date of next election: 2026; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Legislative branch: note: the Northern Mariana Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the "Committee of the Whole House," but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices); US Federal District Court (consists of 1 judge) judge selection and term of office: CNMI Supreme Court judges appointed by the governor and confirmed by the CNMI Senate; judges appointed for 8-year terms and another term if directly elected in a popular election; US Federal District Court judges appointed by the US president and confirmed by the US Senate; judges appointed for renewable 10-year terms subordinate courts: Superior Court note: US Federal District Court jurisdiction limited to US federal laws; appeals beyond the CNMI Supreme Court are referred to the US Supreme Court; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Political parties: Democratic Party Republican Party; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (commonwealth in political union with the US); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
International organization participation: PIF (observer), SPC, UPU; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Independence: none (commonwealth in political union with the US); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Flag: description: blue with a five-pointed white star on a gray latte stone (a traditional foundation stone) in the center, surrounded by a mwáár or head lei (wreath) meaning: blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, the star for the Commonwealth, and the latte stone and mwáár for Marianas culture; the mwáár is made from four kinds of flowers: flores mayo (Plumeria), ylang-ylang or langilang (Cananga odorata), angagha or peacock flower (Caesalpinia pulcherrima), and teibwo or Pacific basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National symbol(s): latte stone; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National color(s): blue, white; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi" (In the Middle of the Sea) "Satil Matawal Pacifico" (Carolinian) lyrics/music: Jose S. PANGELINAN [Chamoru], David PETER [Carolinian]/Wilhelm GANZHOM history: adopted 1996 _____ title: "The Star-Spangled Banner" lyrics/music: Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH history: official anthem, as a US commonwealth; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Economy14 fields

Economic overview: US Pacific island commonwealth economy; growing Chinese and Korean tourist destination; hit hard by 2018 typhoon; dependent on energy imports; exempt from some US labor and immigration laws; longstanding garment production; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.242 billion (2016 est.) $933 million (2015 est.) $845 million (2014 est.) note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy; data are in 2013 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 16.6% (2022 est.) 5% (2021 est.) -29.1% (2020 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $1.096 billion (2022 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Agricultural products: vegetables and melons, fruits and nuts; ornamental plants; livestock, poultry, eggs; fish and aquaculture products; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Industries: tourism, banking, construction, fishing, handicrafts, other services; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Budget: revenues: $389.6 million (2016 est.) expenditures: $344 million (2015 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exports: $244 million (2022 est.) $55 million (2021 est.) $128 million (2020 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exports - partners: Sweden 21%, Singapore 20%, Hong Kong 12%, UK 8%, India 7% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exports - commodities: scrap iron, refined petroleum, scrap copper, hydraulic engines, integrated circuits (2021) top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Imports: $777 million (2022 est.) $666 million (2021 est.) $556 million (2020 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Imports - partners: Singapore 63%, Japan 12%, Hong Kong 8%, Taiwan 4%, Philippines 3% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, jewelry, trunks and cases, flavored water (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Exchange rates: the US dollar is used; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Energy1 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Communications5 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 20,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 20,474 (2004 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2004); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Broadcast media: 1 TV station on Saipan; multi-channel cable TV services are available on Saipan; 9 licensed radio stations (2009); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Internet country code: .mp; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 25.1% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Transportation3 fields

Airports: 4 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Heliports: 7 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source
Ports: total ports: 3 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 1 very small: 2 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Rota, Saipan, Tinian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

Military and Security1 fields

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-05 · source

The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.