Official Name: Northern Mariana Islands

Area: Australia & Oceania

Size: 477 km²

Coastline: 1,482 km

Form of Govt.: Commonwealth

Head of Govt.: President

Capital: Saipan

Largest City: Saipan

Demographics (2005): 51,033.   107/km²

Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians, Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean

GDP per Capita (2005): $10,500  

Languages: English, Chamorro, Carolinian

Geography: Saipan is one of the 14 volcanic and raised coral island chain in the Northern Marianas. It is located about 1,500 miles east of the Philippines, 1,000 miles south of Japan, and 125 miles north of the island of Guam. Saipan is 20 km long and 9 km wide. The highest point is the extinct volcano Mt. Tapochau. The western side has beaches and fringing coral reefs. The eastern side has mostly rugged, rocky cliffs. The climate is warm and the rainfall varies. Saipan's temperature varies less year round than any other place in the world. Dry season is during December to June and rainy season is during July to October.

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