Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.pdf

22 The U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) comprises 14 islands and is part of the Mariana Islands Archipelago. The populated islands of Rota, Saipan, and Tinian are located in the southern portion of the archipelago and represent three of the four municipalities (U.S. Census Bureau county equivalents) found within CNMI. The fourth municipality, the Northern Islands Municipality, has a minimal population (less than 10 persons in 2008) (49). Thus it is not included as part of this summary. Rota, the southernmost island of CNMI and least populated of the three municipalities being examined, is approximately 76 kilometers north of Guam. Rota has an emerging tourism industry and increasing development. Saipan, the largest (122 square kilometers) and most populated (approximately 85,267 people in 2008) island is driven economically by tourism and manufacturing. Tinian, located approximately 8 kilometers across the Saipan channel from Saipan, has approximately two thirds of its land area leased to the U.S. military. San Jose is the primary community found on Tinian and is an agricultural community (49). The coral reefs offshore of Saipan and Tinian are most abundant on the islands’ western shores. Off Saipan, the combination of fringing and barrier reefs offers the most diverse coral habitats in the Commonwealth. Rota is surrounded by fringing reefs, and newer reefs are located off the northwest and southwest coasts (30). The extent of coral reef habitat surrounding Rota, Saipan, and Tinian is presented in Table 12 and illustrated in Figure 10. Population In 2000, the population of CNMI reached 69,221; and in 2008, it is estimated to be 94,360 (35, 49). More than 90% of CNMI’s population is concentrated on Saipan. From 1970 to 2008, the population of CNMI increased by just over 84,541 people; 77,000 of them on Saipan (49). Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands By 2015, the population is expect