Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) forms a chain of 14 volcanic islands: Agrihan, Alamagan, Anatahan, Asuncion, Farallon De Medinilla, Farallon De Pajaros (Uracas), Guguan, Maug (three islands), Pagan, Rota, Saipan, Sarigan and Tinian.
stretching over 375 miles north to south, with a land area of 181 square miles.
There are three major inhabited islands, but most live on Saipan.

The Northern Mariana's is the fastest growing area in Micronesia. The population has shot from just under 10,000 in 1970 to over 50,000 today, about half of which are resident aliens, mostly from the Philippines, China and Korea. Roughly 75% of the native population is Chamorro, the rest Carolinian. The local culture is a hybrid of native and Spanish colonial influences, with a powerful overlay of popular American trends.

English is the official language, though Chamorro and Carolinian are the native tongues and are widely spoken. You'll hear Japanese in most hotels and some shops. Hafa adai is the traditional greeting, though the slang term howzit is becoming nearly as common.

The predominant religion of the Northern Mariana's is Roman Catholic, especially among the Chamorros and Filipino immigrants. Most cultural activities center around the Catholic church and religious festivities, including annual fiestas in honour of each village's patron saint. There are also Baptist, Methodist, Mormon, Korean Presbyterian, Evangelical and Seventh-Day Adventist churches.

Dance in the Mariana's ranges from a Spanish-influenced cha-cha popular among the Chamorros to the 'stick dance,' a Carolinian import combining stick beating and foot shuffling.

Garapan, the largest town in the commonwealth, is booming. Levelled during WWII and resettled in the 1960s, Garapan is crammed with sushi shops, karaoke clubs and other operations that cater to Japanese tourists. If you can ignore the Japanese film crews shooting television commercials, the white sands and turquoise waters of Micro Beach are among the finest in the islands. Stretching north from the beach is American Memorial Park, which features a swamp-forest bird habitat and a picnic-table human habitat, along with memorials to the Americans who died in the US invasions of Saipan and Tinian and a one-room WWII Museum with displays of weapons, uniforms, gas masks, photos and other war paraphernalia.

Mount Marpi, Saipan. The sheer Marpi Cliffs at Saipan rise dramatically into the blue sky. At the northern tip of Saipan Island, Marpi is the most popular stop for tourists. In addition to the scenic views, there are World War II memorials in remembrance of the many who perished in the final days of the Battle of Saipan.

Lace up your boots and hit the Laderan Tangke Trail, a short loop (2mi/3km) at the northern end of the island through the Marpi Commonwealth Forest. This well-maintained public trail leads through the sort of dense jungle not usually accessible to hikers. It also skirts the Laderan Tangke Cliff, where you can take in an ocean view, and along the way there are markers explaining the surrounding flora, fauna and geology. You might also see birds such as the rufous fantail or the bright red cardinal honeyeater. Mount Marpi, Saipan. The sheer Marpi Cliffs at Saipan rise dramatically into the blue sky. At the northern tip of Saipan Island, Marpi is the most popular stop for tourists. In addition to the scenic views, there are World War II memorials in remembrance of the many who perished in the final days of the Battle of Saipan. 

There's excellent diving and snorkelling on the islands. On Saipan, the most interesting spot is the Grotto, a natural cavern with waters 50ft (15m) deep and tunnels to the open sea. You can check out WWII wrecks in Tanapag Harbour, caves and garden eels at Obyan Beach and a huge coral head offshore from the Saipan Grand Hotel. Saipan's best snorkelling spot is Managaha Island, Tinian's is Tachogna Beach and Rota's is the Coral Gardens in Sasanhaya Bay. Rota also has good cave, tunnel and wreck dives, including dives to see the Shoun Maru, a Japanese freighter in 90ft (27m) of water.

All three islands have good hiking. On Saipan, the highlight is the Laderan Tangke Trail through the Marpi Commonwealth Forest. There's a fine trail along Kammer and Taga Beaches south of San Jose on Tinian. The views from the hills on either side of Songsong Village on Rota are short hikes.

Other ways to workout include windsurfing, popular off Micro Beach on Saipan; tennis; and a non-aerobic midget- submarine ride in the lagoon between Saipan and Managaha Islands, where you can see wrecks such as a Japanese freighter and an American B-29.