World Factbook
Northern Mariana Islands
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Area
land
464 sq km
note
note: consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
water
0 sq km
total
464 sq km
Climate
tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October
Terrain
the southern islands in this north-south trending archipelago are limestone, with fringing coral reefs; the northern islands are volcanic, with active volcanoes on several islands
Land use
other
45.9% (2023 est.)
forest
53% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
1.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0.8% (2023 est.)
Location
Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Coastline
1,482 km
Elevation
lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point
Agrihan Volcano 965 m
Irrigated land
1 sq km (2012)
Map references
Oceania
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)
Geography - note
strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean
Natural resources
arable land, fish
Area - comparative
2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
15 12 N, 145 45 E
Population distribution
approximately 90% of the population lives on the island of Saipan