Country Data Sets for Pacific Biodiversity Information

You are currently viewing Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

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Capital: Saipan

Population: 65,000 (July 2006 est.)

Land Area: 477 sq km

No. of Islands: 14

Lat/Long (Capital): 15’12″N, 145’45″E

Terrain: limestone southern islands with fringing coral reefs; volcanic northern islands

Climate: tropical with little temperature variation; moderated by northeast trade winds

Common Flora: Mangroves, bananas, coconut, hibiscus, ironwood, plumeria and the Pacific banyan are common tree species. The Fire tree is an endemic tree threatened by habitat loss and invasive species.

Common Fauna: Most land vertebrates are birds. There are two species of bat native to CNMI, as well as skinks, geckos and sea turtles. Rats, cats and mice were brought by European ships.

Notes: There are active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan.