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Location
Western Pacific Ocean.
Time
GMT + 10.
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).
Geography
Located to the south of Japan and to the north of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands comprise 14 islands, the main ones being Rota, Saipan and Tinian. The group is compact, consisting of a single chain 736km (460 miles) long. The islands have high volcanic cones.
Government
Self-governing US Commonwealth Territory (incorporated). Gained internal autonomy in 1986.
Head of State
President George W Bush since 2000.
Head of Government
Governor Benigno Fitial since 2006.
Recent History
Benigno Fitial was elected governor in November 2005, promising to improve the country's economy and to revive tourism.
Language
English, Chamorro and Carolinian are the official languages. Japanese and Korean are widely spoken.
Religion
Mostly Roman Catholic.
Social Conventions
The Chamorro culture of the original inhabitants can still be traced, although it is overlaid by strong American influences. Western conventions are well understood.