World Factbook
Northern Mariana Islands
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: blue with a five-pointed white star on a gray latte stone (a traditional foundation stone) in the center, surrounded by a mwáár or head lei (wreath) meaning: blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, the star for the Commonwealth, and the latte stone and mwáár for Marianas culture; the mwáár is made from four kinds of flowers: flores mayo ( Plumeria ), ylang-ylang or langilang ( Cananga odorata ), angagha or peacock flower ( Caesalpinia pulcherrima ), and teibwo or Pacific basil ( Ocimum tenuiflorum )
Capital
name
Saipan
etymology
the origin of the name is unclear; it probably comes from a local word meaning "deserted" or "uninhabited," but stories vary on how it came to be used
time difference
UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
15 12 N, 145 45 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
note: inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Citizenship
see United States
Constitution
history
partially effective 9 January 1978 (Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands); fully effective 4 November 1986 (Covenant Agreement)
amendment process
proposed by constitutional convention, by public petition, or by the Legislature; ratification of proposed amendments requires approval by voters at the next general election or special election; amendments proposed by constitutional convention or by petition become effective if approved by a majority of voters and at least two-thirds majority of voters in each of two senatorial districts; amendments proposed by the Legislature are effective if approved by majority vote
Country name
former
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District
etymology
Spain named the islands in 1667 in honor of the Spanish Queen, MARIANA of Austria
abbreviation
CNMI
conventional long form
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
conventional short form
Northern Mariana Islands
Independence
none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
Legal system
the laws of the US apply, except for customs and some aspects of taxation
Government type
a commonwealth in political union with and under the sovereignty of the US; republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches
Judicial branch
note
note: US Federal District Court jurisdiction limited to US federal laws; appeals beyond the CNMI Supreme Court are referred to the US Supreme Court
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices); US Federal District Court (consists of 1 judge)
subordinate courts
Superior Court
judge selection and term of office
CNMI Supreme Court judges appointed by the governor and confirmed by the CNMI Senate; judges appointed for 8-year terms and another term if directly elected in a popular election; US Federal District Court judges appointed by the US president and confirmed by the US Senate; judges appointed for renewable 10-year terms
Executive branch
cabinet
Sworn in by CNMI Chief Justice Alexandro Castro on Thursday, 24 July 2025
chief of state
President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025)
election results
2022: Arnold PALACIOS elected governor in second round; percent of vote in first round - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 38.8%; Arnold PALACIOS (independent) 32.2%, Tina SABLAN (Democrat) 28%; percent of vote in second round - Arnold PALACIOS 54%, Ralph TORRES 46%; David APATANG (independent) elected lieutenant governor 2018: Ralph TORRES elected governor; percent of vote - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 62.2%, Juan BABAUTA (independent) 37.8%; Arnold PALACIOS elected lieutenant governor
head of government
Governor David M. APATANG (since 24 July 2025)
most recent election date
8 November 2022, with a runoff held on 25 November 2022
election/appointment process
president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of electors chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of the Northern Mariana Islands do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds, if needed
expected date of next election
2026
National holiday
Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
Dependency status
commonwealth in political union with and under the sovereignty of the US; federal funds administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs
National color(s)
blue, white
Political parties
Democratic Party Republican Party
Legislative branch
note
note: the Northern Mariana Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the "Committee of the Whole House," but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote
National anthem(s)
title
"The Star-Spangled Banner"
history
official anthem, as a US commonwealth
lyrics/music
Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH
National symbol(s)
latte stone
Administrative divisions
no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 4 municipalities are considered second-order: Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
International organization participation
PIF (observer), SPC, UPU