Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Stinson DW. 1993. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Pages 263-281. In Scott DA. A directory of wetlands in Oceania. International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau/Asian Wetland Bureau. Slimbridge, UK and AWB, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) comprises 14 of the 15 Mariana Islands, an archipelago in Micronesia situated between latitudes 14°10' and 20°31' North. Guam, the southernmost of the Mariana Islands, is presently a U.S. Territory and politically separate. Saipan, the capital of the CNMI, lies approximately 2,400 km south of Tokyo and 2,600 km east of Manila. Two geologically different island arcs make up the CNMI. The five southernmost islands are geologically oldest, and primarily consist of uplifted limestone. The remaining nine northern islands are entirely volcanic material, and some exhibit sporadic volcanic activity. Pagan, the largest of the northern islands, has several cones and older collapsed calderas. Two major eruptions have occurred on Pagan this century, and about half of the island is relatively barren cinder fields and lava flows. Saipan, the largest island (120 sq.km), has a rugged limestone ridge running along its northern two-thirds, the highest point of which is 436 m. Saipan has extensive sand beaches on its western side, protected by a barrier reef and lagoon. Tinian (100 sq.km) is mostly relatively flat and consists of level limestone terraces with three high sections, the highest point of which is 178 m. Tinian's coastline is mostly rocky and unprotected from wave action.
- Type
- Book Chapter
- Authors
- Stinson, Derek
- Units
- AMME , PACN
- Keywords
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Ecology, Saipan, Wetlands