Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI)
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is a self-governing Commonwealth of the United States. The Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) includes Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the Farallon de Medinilla (FDM).
The people of the CNMI chose to join the United States in a 1975 act of self-determination and were granted U.S. citizenship in 1986. The commonwealth established a political agreement with the United States in 1978, electing its first governor that year. Under the terms of the 1978 agreement, citizens of the self-governing commonwealth are not allowed to vote in U.S. presidential elections, but they enjoy all other benefits of U.S. citizenship. Pursuant to a locally-adopted constitution, they elect a Governor, bi-cameral legislature, and Washington Representative.
The CNMI main island of Saipan is located about 100 miles northeast of Guam, about 1,200 miles southeast of Tokyo, and 3,300 miles west of Honolulu. The smallest of the U.S. insular areas, the CNMI consists of 14 islands with a total land area of 183.5 square miles. The 1990 population was 43,345 persons. The 1995 mid decade census preliminary results shows a total population of 59,913 persons. Non-United States citizens make up 54 percent of the population, with local residents who are United States citizens comprising the remaining 46 percent.
