Northern Mariana Islands

The flag is said to symbolize the islands and the Pacific Ocean. Behind the star is a grey Latte stone representing the original inhabitants.

Archipelago in the northwestern Pacific, with Guam known collectively as the Mariana Islands; area 471 sq km/182 sq mi; population (1995 est) 47,200. The Northern Marianas are a commonwealth in union with the USA. The capital is Garapan on Saipan. The archipelago consists of 16 islands and atolls extending 560 km/350 mi north of Guam. The main language is English, and the principal religion is Roman Catholicism.

Politics The political system is a liberal democracy. Political parties are the Democratic Party, centre-left; the Republican Party, right of centre; and the Territorial Party, nationalist. A governor (Benigno R Fitial from 2006) is elected for a four-year term.

History The islands came under Spanish control in 1565, being sold to Germany in 1899. They came under Japanese control in 1914 and Japanese rule under a League of Nations mandate in 1921. Taken by US marines in World War II, the islands became a UN Trust Territory administered by the USA in 1947 and a US commonwealth territory in 1978. The islands became self-governing with full US citizenship in 1986. UN Trusteeship status ended on 22 December 1990.