Northern Mariana Islands | History, Capital, Language, Flag, Facts & Geography of Northern Mariana Islands
History of Northern Mariana Islands:
The Northern Mariana Islands are an island nation in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and the Philippines. This territory consists of 15 islands. Most of the population lives on the island of Saipan.
The first European to set foot on this island was Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. The Spanish then claimed sovereignty over the island. Today, the island nation is under US administration as part of the United Nations Trust Territory in the Pacific.
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Information about Northern Mariana Islands:
| Capital | Saipan |
| Population | 49,837 (Source: 2023 worldometer) |
| Major Cities | Saipan (capital), San Jose, Pagan Village, Agrihan Village, Alamagan Village |
| Borders | Maritime border with Japan |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $858,000,000 (2022 worldometer) |
| Currency | US dollar (USD) |
Flag of Northern Mariana Islands:
Northern Mariana Islands Economy Key Industries:
Northern Mariana Islands Major Industries: tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts
Northern Mariana Islands Agricultural Products: coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle
Northern Mariana Islands Natural Resources: arable land, fish
Northern Mariana Islands Major Exports: garments
Northern Mariana Islands Major Imports: food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products
The Geography of Northern Mariana Islands:
Total Size of Northern Mariana Islands: 464 km² (source: 2022 wikipedia)
Geographical Low Point of Northern Mariana Islands: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Geographical High Point of Northern Mariana Islands: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m
Climate of Northern Mariana Islands: tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October
General Terrain of Northern Mariana Islands: southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic
World Region or Continent of Northern Mariana Islands: Oceania
Geographical Coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E
The People of Northern Mariana Islands & Culture
Northern Mariana Islands Government Type: commonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature
Northern Mariana Islands Nationality: NA (US citizens)
Northern Mariana Islands National Holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
Northern Mariana Islands Independence: none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
Northern Mariana Islands National Symbol: latte stone
Northern Mariana Islands National Anthem or Song: Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi (In the Middle of the Sea)
Northern Mariana Islands Languages Spoken: Philippine languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%, Chamorro 22.4%, English 10.8%, other Pacific island languages 9.5%, other 9.6% (2000 census)
Northern Mariana Islands Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found)
Interesting Facts about Northern Mariana Islands:
The Northern Mariana Islands consist of 22 islands and islets. These beautiful islands are located in the Pacific Ocean.
One of the strangest things about the Northern Mariana Islands is the different landscapes of the islands. For example, the Southern Islands are known for their shallow limestone and coral reefs. The northern selection, on the other hand, consists mainly of volcanic peaks.
All islands have a land area of about 184 square miles. But although these islands are small, they are packed with incredible sights. All are worth visiting if you can.
In 2020, approximately 57,000 people live and thrive in the Northern Mariana Islands. The population resides mainly on the islands of Saipan, Guguan, Titian and Rota.
Life expectancy in the Northern Mariana Islands is just over 77 years. Amazingly, this is even longer than the average life expectancy of the entire world population. Currently, the average life expectancy for the entire world population is 71 years.
Several languages are spoken in the Northern Mariana Islands. The main official spoken and written languages of the islands are Chamorro, English and Carolina.
The area is officially known as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, but is actually a territory of the United States. The island officially became part of the United States on November 4, 1986. Therefore, the islanders are recognized as US citizens.
The Northern Mariana Islands are collectively a territory of the United States, so the currency of the islands is the US dollar. There is no need to exchange currency when traveling from the United States.
With its stunning coral reefs and crystal clear waters, it’s no wonder the Northern Mariana Islands attract so many to explore. Some of the most popular activities in the area include windsurfing, jet skiing, scuba diving and snorkeling.
Not surprisingly, tourism is the island’s most profitable industry. However, the Northern Mariana Islands are also known for banking, construction, clothing production, fishing and handicrafts.
For history buffs, the Northern Mariana Islands is a great place to explore. The island is full of World War II relics, and you can find various shipwrecks when diving. Even if you don’t know where to look, there’s a lot to discover here.