Northern Marianas

• the commonwealth of the northern mariana islands is a self-governing territory of the united states in the pacific. it includes all the mariana islands except guam. the three main islands are saipan, tinian, and rota. the islands were claimed by spain in 1521, and were a colony from 1688 until they were sold to germany in 1899. japan controlled the islands from the first world war until 1944, when they were taken by us troops. clothing, vegetables, and meat are exported. tourism is an important industry.