Northern Mariana Islands Country & Tourist Information

Location
Western Pacific Ocean.

Area
457 sq km (176 sq miles).

Population
69,000 (UN estimate 2006).

Population Density
151 per sq km.

Capital
Saipan.
Population: 71,000 (UN estimate 2003).

Government
Self-governing US Commonwealth Territory (incorporated). Gained internal autonomy in 1986.

Language
English, Chamorro and Carolinian are the official languages. Japanese and Korean are widely spoken.

Religion
Mostly Roman Catholic.

Time
GMT + 10.

Head of Government
Governor Benigno Fitial since 2006.

Head of State
President George W Bush since 2000.

Recent History
Benigno Fitial was elected governor in November 2005, promising to improve the country’s economy and to revive tourism.

Telephone
Country code: 1 670. There are payphones in Saipan and most hotels; 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 post offices on the three main islands, as well as private postal companies in Saipan. US postal rates apply.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600, Sat 0900-1200.

Press
• The English-language newspapers include the Pacific Daily News, Saipan Tribune (twice weekly) and the Marianas Variety (weekdays).

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
9 Jan Commonwealth Day.
16 Feb President's Day.
24 Mar Covenant Day. 
10 Apr Good Friday.
25 May Memorial Day.
4 Jul US Independence Day. 
7 Sep Labor Day. 
12 Oct Columbus Day.
4 Nov Citizenship Day.
11 Nov Veterans' Day.
26 Nov Thanksgiving Day.
9 Dec Constitution Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
9 Jan Commonwealth Day.
15 Feb President's Day.
24 Mar Covenant Day. 
2 Apr Good Friday.
24 May Memorial Day.
4 Jul US Independence Day. 
6 Sep Labor Day. 
11 Oct Columbus Day.
4 Nov Citizenship Day.
11 Nov Veterans' Day.
25 Nov Thanksgiving Day.
9 Dec Constitution Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
Variations occur from island to island.
Where a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Northern Mariana Islands follow specific rules moving the holiday to a Friday or Monday. These changes have not been taken into account in the dates above.

Contact Information:

Marianas Visitors Authority
PO Box 500861, Saipan, MP 96950, Northern Mariana Islands
Tel: 664 3200/1.
Website: www.mymarianas.com

CNMI Division of Immigration
Street address: Afetna Square Building, 2nd Floor, San Antonio, Saipan, MP 96950, Northern Mariana Islands
Postal address: PO Box 10007, San Antonio, Saipan, MP 96950, Northern Mariana Islands
Tel: 236 0922/3.

Office of the CNMI Resident Representative to the United States
2121 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 673 5869.
Website: www.resrep.gov.mp


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