Trivia in Northern Mariana Islands

National symbols

Flag: Blue field with a white star and latte stone at center, encircled by a laurel wreath. The star symbolizes solidarity with America, the latte stone represents Chamorro culture, and the wreath represents Carolinian culture.

Emblem: State seal with circular arrangement of the same motifs as the flag design.

Trivia & facts

• Internet domain .mp is mistaken for 'multiplayer' abbreviation, popular with game companies
• Mañagaha Island is entirely a marine park, becoming uninhabited after sunset
• Saipan's seawater clarity is world-class, with mirages of distant ships appearing to float in the air
• Northern Mariana Islands zip codes range from 96950 to 96952, sent at domestic U.S. postage rates
• Stone pillars called latte stones are symbols of Chamorro power from prehistoric times
• Saipan International Airport code is SPN. It was a Japanese military runway during WWII
• Common island greeting 'Håfa Adai' means 'hello, welcome'
• No sales tax, with occupancy tax added to hotels and rental cars
• Archipelago spanning about 700km north-south with many active volcanoes, but residential areas mostly in non-volcanic zones
• Same sales tax system as U.S. mainland applies, making branded goods shopping affordable