Northern Mariana Islands — Island and Tourist Information
Island Facts
- Location
- Western Pacific Ocean.
- Language
- English, Chamorro and Carolinian are the official languages. Japanese and Korean are widely spoken.
- Area
- 457 sq km (176 sq miles).
- Time Zone
- GMT + 10.
- Population
- 69,000 (UN estimate 2006).
- Population Density
- 151 per sq km.
- Capital City
- Saipan. Population: 71,000 (UN estimate 2003).
- Government
- Self-governing US Commonwealth Territory (incorporated). Gained internal autonomy in 1986.
- Head of Government
- Governor Benigno Fitial since 2006.
- Head of State
- President George W Bush since 2000.
- Religion
- Mostly Roman Catholic.
Recent History
Benigno Fitial was elected governor in November 2005, promising to improve the country’s economy and to revive tourism.
Communications
Telephone
Country Code: . 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.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).
Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
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
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
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
