Local Guide
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is a chain of 14 islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the North west Pacific Ocean along the Marianas Trench, the deepest location on earth, stretching over 375 miles north to south (736 km), with a land area of 181 square miles (457 sq km). This is an area about equal in size to that of Barbados or the Seychelles. There are three major inhabited islands, but most live on Saipan, the capital of the island country where Pacific Islands Club is located.
Ferdinand Magellan, discoverer by trade, claimed the islands for Spain in 1521. The following seizure by Spanish colonists was much of a disadvantage for the local Chamorro inhabitants, who were controlled by the Spanish for over 300 years. The islands, including the island of Rota and island of Tinian, were sold by Spain to Germany in 1899 and remained under the German flag until 1914 when the Japanese moved against the Germans, forced them out and virtually annexed the Mariana Islands into the Empire. These islands in the Western Pacific Ocean came under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific. Today the Mariana Islands with their cultural and historical attractions, world class golf courses, luxury hotels such as Pacific Islands Club Saipan, tropical jungles and colorful underwater reef life, are a famous tropical destination for vacation trips.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
short form: Northern Mariana Islands
abbreviation: CNMI
former: Mariana Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
ISO Country Code: MP
Time:
Local Time = UTC +10h
Capital: Saipan (the island Saipan)
Government:
Commonwealth in political union with the US; self-governing with locally elected governor.
Geography:
Location: Mariana Archipelago, group of islands in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea along the Mariana Trench, south of S. Korea and Japan, and east of the Philippines.
Area: 477 sq. km
Terrain: The northern islands are of volcanic origin, active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrighan, the southern islands are lacustrine limestone fringed by coral reefs.
Climate:
Tropical marine, dry season from December to June, rainy season from July to November.
People:
Population: 50,000 (UN estimate 2006).
Ethnic Groups: Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians
Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found)
Languages: Chamorro, Carolinian, English. Japanese and Korean are widely spoken.
note: 86% of the population speaks a language other than English at home.
Literacy: 97%
Natural resources: Arable land, fish.
Agriculture products: Coconuts, tropical fruits, vegetables; cattle.
Industries: Tourism, fishing, handicrafts.
Currency: US dollar $ (USD). There are several Asian and US banks in the Mariana Islands where currencies from some foreign countries can be exchanged. ATMs are available at most banks and major shopping centers.
Northern Mariana Islands Visa, Passport & Entry Requirements
Effective June 1, 2009, U.S. immigration law was applied to the CNMI with the implementation of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program. This regulation allows nationals from the designated participating countries to prepare for their travel to either Guam or the CNMI under the program.
The following countries are designated for participation in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program: Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) passport and Hong Kong identification card is required), Japan, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
Nonimmigrant visitors who seek admission to the CNMI must possess a valid passport and a valid visa, unless they are applying for entry under a visa waiver program. This means that nonimmigrant visitors who are not eligible for either the US Visa Waiver Program under 8 CFR part 217 (VWP) or the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program must possess a valid passport and must obtain a visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Nonimmigrant visitors may be able to apply for admission to the CNMI under one or both programs, depending on the eligibility status of the nonimmigrant visitors' country of nationality or citizenship. The permitted length of stay will depend on whether the nonimmigrant visitors are admitted under the VWP (up to 90 days) or under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program (up to 45 days)
Nonimmigrant visitors currently must present a valid completed and signed CBP Form I-94 to enter the CNMI and Guam under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program. This rulemaking explicitly requires completion of an I-94 to enter Guam and the CNMI under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program.
Please refer to this website: www.uscis.gov for more information on entry requirements.
Northern Mariana Islands Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into the Northern Mariana Islands without incurring customs duty:
- 600 cigarettes or 454g of cigars or tobacco.
- 2.3 liters of alcoholic beverage.
- 3.8 liters of wine and Japanese sake.
- A reasonable quantity of perfume.
Prohibited Imports
Narcotics and certain cooked and uncooked foods. Enquire at Immigration Office for details. Firearms require a license.
2011 Holidays
- 5 Sep Labor Day
- 10 Oct Columbus Day
- 4 Nov Citizenship Day
- 11 Nov Veterans' Day
- 24 Nov Thanksgiving Day
- 8 Dec Constitution Day
- 25 Dec Christmas Day
Health Care
There is a major, modern hospital on Saipan and routine facilities on Rota and Tinian. Full medical facilities are available but are not free of charge; health insurance is advisable.
Northern Mariana Islands Entertainment
Food and Drink
A wide choice of food is on offer, including Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Thai.
National Specialties:
Kelaguen, a chewy mixture of diced chicken and shredded coconut and thin slices of raw coconut dipped in a peppery sauce.
Nightlife
There are several popular bars in Garapan and a few nightclubs and discos.
Shopping
Special purchases here include wishing dolls, coconut masks, coconut-crab decorations and woodcarvings, plus numerous duty-free items.
Shopping hours: Mon-Sun 08:00-21:00.
Economy
Fruit, vegetables, beef and pork are produced in commercial quantities, with some being exported. Fisheries and copra (coconut meat) are other important industries in the agricultural sector.
The economy is dominated overall by the service sector, of which tourism is the principal component.
Bilateral aid from the USA is still an important source of income for the government, particularly monies earmarked to develop the islands’ infrastructure. The Northern Marianas is a member of the Pacific Community.
Business Contacts
Saipan Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 500806 CK, Saipan, MP 96950, Northern Mariana Islands
Tel: 1 670 233 7150.
Website: www.saipanchamber.com
Northern Mariana Islands Top Things to See & Do
- Attend a village fiesta in honor of local patron saints.
- Explore Saipan's western shore: it is encircled by a barrier reef, creating a lagoon with white sand beaches.
- Visit the Last Command Post of the Japanese Imperial Army known as Banadero, with WWII cannons, tanks and artillery preserved in a limestone cave.
- Enjoy spectacular views from the Puntan Sabaneta (also known as Banzai Cliff) and Laderan Banadero (also known as Suicide Cliff as thousands of Japanese soldiers jumped to their deaths to avoid capture).
- Take a trip to the southern island of Tinian, which has a rugged coastline with tiny coves. At Abbas on the northern shore, there are blow holes where incoming waves shoot 6m (20ft) into the air.
- Also on the island of Tinian, visit the House of Taga, a temple or meeting house associated with the legendary chief Taga. It consists of magnificent stone pillars, carved in the traditional way and transported from nearby coastal areas.
- Hop over to the island of Rota, a small and friendly island also in Marianas Archipelago with a variety of natural attractions. Outside the main village of Songsong, sights include Tonga Cave, a huge limestone cavern with stalactites and stalagmites, so large it was used as a wartime hospital.
- While on Rota, see the fascinating Wedding Cake Mountain, which resembles a layered cake. Curious artifacts can also be viewed at the Rota Cave Museum, located in a gigantic limestone cave.
- See huge and ancient stone remains carved by the Chamorros at the Taga Stone Quarry, on Rota.
- Take a glass-bottomed boat trip out to Isleta Maigo Fahang (also known as Bird Island) a beautiful, unspoilt island set aside as a nature reserve.
- Try some watersports: There are many suitable snorkeling and diving locations in Saipan; windsurfing is popular too. Parasailing is available. Local fishing competitions are held in several places along the Marianas Archipelago.
- If you'd rather explore underwater scenery and wrecks whilst staying warm and dry, take a submarine cruise in island of Saipan.
Travel to Northern Mariana Islands
Getting There by Air
Airlines serving the Northern Mariana Islands include Delta Airlines (DL); Asiana Airlines (OZ), China Southern Air (CZ), Continental Airlines (CO), Fly Guam and Cape Air (9K).
ain Airports
Saipan (SPN) is situated 5km (3 miles) south of Chalan Kanoa. To/from the airport: Taxis are available to the town (journey time – 15 minutes) and tour buses may meet some flights.
Facilities: Bureau de change, refreshments and car hire.
There are smaller airports at Rota (ROP) and Tinian (TIQ).
Departure Tax
None.
Getting There by Sea
Main port: Saipan. Several shipping and cruise lines sail to Saipan.
Northern Mariana Islands Transport
Getting Around by Air
Commuter aircrafts are available to take visitors from Saipan to Tinian island (journey time – 12 minutes) and Rota (journey time – 30 minutes). Cape Air also flies between Saipan island and Rota.
Getting Around by Road
There are good roads in and around major island centers.
Bus: There is a public shuttle bus service to major shopping facilities from Pacific Islands Club Saipan.
Taxi: Available at all main centers.
Car hire: Self-drive cars are available in towns; US driving laws are followed.
Documentation: International Driving Permit or national license accepted.
Northern Mariana Islands Communications
Telephone
Country code: 1 City Code: 670. There are payphones in Saipan and most hotels, such as Pacific Islands Club Saipan; restaurants and other public facilities have telephones which visitors can use.
Mobile Telephone
A mobile phone network exists, although no roaming agreements have been declared by the service provider.
Internet
Availability and reliability is limited.
Post
There are United States post offices on the three main Mariana Islands, as well as private postal companies on Saipan island. US postal rates apply.
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-16:00, Sat 09:00-12:00.
Press
• The English-language newspapers include the Pacific Daily News (daily), Saipan Tribune (6 days/week) and the Marianas Variety (weekdays).
Northern Mariana Islands Weather and Climate
Tropical climate, tempered by trade winds. The rainy season is July to November.
Required Clothing
Lightweight cottons and linens, with light rainwear advisable all year.
