Northern Mariana Islands

Northern Mariana Islands, commonwealth of the United States, comprising 16 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. Saipan is the capital.

Land and climate

Of these volcanic and coral islands, only 6 are inhabited, with more than 88% of the population living on Saipan, the largest island, which is followed in size by Rota and Tinian. The total area is 183 sq mi (475 sq km). The tropical climate has temperatures 70°–90°F (20°–30°C) and an average rainfall of about 70 in (178 cm). Although Guam is geographically part of the Marianas, it has long been administered separately and is not considered part of the group.

People

About 75% of the people are descended from the Chamorro, the indigenous Micronesian group of the Marianas; most of the others are Caroline Islanders (est. pop. 21,800). Roman Catholicism predominates.

Economy

The U.S. government is the largest employer, as Saipan continues to serve as the administrative center of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, despite the Northern Marianas' separate status. The leading crops include coconuts, sugar, coffee, taro, breadfruit, and yams; cattle raising is increasingly important. Tourism is also a leading source of income.

History

After Spain assumed control of the Marianas in 1565, all the Chamorros were moved to Guam; the other islands remained uninhabited until some resettlement began during the late 17th century. In 1898 control of Guam passed to the United States. The other Marianas were sold to Germany (1899), then occupied in 1914 by Japan, which developed commercial sugar plantations. U.S. forces captured the islands in 1944 after heavy fighting, and they subsequently became part of the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Northern Mariana voters approved separate status as a commonwealth in 1975, which became effective in 1978.