Is the principal island and commercial center of the
Northern Mariana Islands. It is about 12.5 miles long
and 5.5 miles wide and has a total land area of 46.5
square miles which is about the size of San Francisco.
Mt. Tapotchau at 1,554 feet is the highest point.
Saipan's 54 mile coast line is irregular except on the
western side where there is a fringing reef.
A large part of the island is public land. Saipan has 14
miles of beach.
Of the 8 communities on Saipan, Garapan and Chalan
Kanoa may be considered the principal urbanized areas.
The population in 1995 was 52,698. Tourism and
garment manufacturing are the major economic activities.
Saipan is 120 miles north of the United States Territory
of Guam.
Location: 15 degrees - 15 minutes north; 145 degrees -
40 minutes east.
