RADIO:
Commercial AM and FM station are: KCNM and KZMI-FM. Another AM station, KSAI, is non-profit and broadcasts community service messages as well as music and religious programs. KYOI is a short wave station. KFBS is also a shortwave religious broadcasting station. Weather information from the NOAA weather network is broadcast 24 hours a day.

RECREATION:
Saipan has four 18-hole and one 9-hole golf course. Several additional courses are in the planning stage.Each of the major hotels have tennis courts and there are local tennis clubs. There are basketball, bowling, softball and baseball leagues. A wide variety of water sports activities are available ranging from sailing to scuba diving. Sport fishing tournaments are held twice a year. Information on recreational activities may be obtained from the Marianas Visitors Bureau. Social activities center around family events, athletic and sporting activities, churches, charitable events and service clubs. Informality and island attire is the general rule.

Many activities can be enjoyed on Saipan such as: golf, tennis, cycling, baseball, basketball, sunset dinner shows, nightclubs, shopping, karaoke, swimming, boating, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, para sailing, jet skiing, jungle tours, island dance shows, shooting and much more.

Island restaurants offer a wide variety international cuisine ranging in price from moderate in the smaller local restaurants patronized by local residents to expensive for more elegant dining. Restaurants are available serving: Japanese, Chinese, Chamorro, Mexican, American, Italian, Thai, Filipino as well as famous fast foods specializing in hamburgers, fried chicken, pizza, deli and sea food. (see Night life)

RETIREMENT LOCATION: CONSTRUCTION TIPS:
The Northern Marianas, and Saipan in particular, offer all the amenities for a retirement location site. While it is not possible for non indigenous people to own land in fee simple at the present time, it is possible to lease parcels on a long-term basis not exceeding 55 years. Of course, land values are subject to many factors and it is impossible to list examples of prices.

Rental houses are available and the standards vary. There is no central real estate listing at this time. A pleasant two bedroom apartment can be rented from about $800 to $1,200 per month plus utility costs of approximately $150 per month if air conditioned.

An adequate supply of construction materials are available and, while the prices may be higher than in the United States because of the added expense of shipping, labor costs for construction are far lower than those of the U.S. A number of construction firms operate on the island. Most recent construction is of concrete block on a slab. Most people prefer to build from materials other than wood unless it has been treated for protection against termites. In early 1996 it was estimated that a good concrete house could be constructed for about $65 per square foot - and up - depending upon the finishing.

Care should be exercised in selecting a contractor as there have been instances where a structure is "under-bid" with the result that the contractor may attempt to recover his costs plus profit using inflated material and labor charges against the project. Contact the Commonwealth Contractor's Association for reliable advice.

Because of high temperatures and humidity, air conditioners are essential for many homes and offices. While both residential and office furniture is available from some department stores, variety and style are limited. Appliances operate on 60 cycle 110 volts, and 220/240 volts. Power surge protectors are advisable for the more expensive electrical appliances. Those planning to build a home should consider the use of solar water heaters, which are available for sale on the island. The use of photo-voltaics (solar cells) can also provide substantial savings on electricity. Where access to the island's sewage line is limited by distance, a septic tank will be necessary.

A word of caution: there are some low lying areas near the sea which can be subject to flooding during heavy rain. Construction in such areas should be done on coral fill of an adequate height, usually two feet or so.

Make certain the site you wish to build upon has access of right of way, telephone, power, and water lines.

Because Saipan sometimes experiences drought conditions, it is advisable to consider construction of a cistern for water storage from a roof run-off catchment system. Tanks of varying sizes and capacities are manufactured locally.

Once you have selected the land parcel and have reached agreement on the price, check with the Commonwealth's Land Commission and Recorder's Office to make certain that the records confirm that the land is in fact owned by the party with whom you have negotiated.

The land should be surveyed with a clear description of the boundaries incorporated in the lease agreement. A cadastral map should be attached to the lease agreement and these documents filed with the Recorders Office. Because of the great differences between the CNMI and other areas relative to land ownership and inheritance it is advised that a local attorney be consulted for any project involving title or long term interests in real property. As stated above only persons of Northern Marianas descent may own land in fee simple. Leases may be obtained for periods up top 55 years.

Obviously, prices for land vary as influenced by a myriad of factors. Presently, because of the declining value of the Dollar as it relates to the yen which in 1996 averaged 105 yen to one U. S. Dollar, Japanese investors were been quite active in the past in leasing real estate thus bidding up land values. This was a result of a cheaper dollar caused by the huge trade imbalance between the two countries.

For those considering mountain side locations with an ocean view, landslides have not been a problem. The U. S. Soil Conservation Service on Saipan has prepared a series of maps which indicate where land slides could occur and provides information on soils which may be vulnerable to slides and erosion. A developer should review this information. Slopes of 20 percent or greater could be susceptible to land slides.

Unpaved roads providing access to house lots located on steep mountain slopes can be subject to heavy erosion during rainy periods. Indeed, in some areas roads may wash-out to such an extent that passage is difficult if not impossible after a heavy rain for all vehicles except four wheel drives. There are no real estate property taxes in the Commonwealth as yet.

The Commonwealth zoning law has been postponed. Care should be exercised in selecting sites for residential dwellings. This is particularly important when constructing the more expensive homes as it is not uncommon to find beautiful,expensive homes adjacent to property used for lower priced dwellings or commercial use. This can lower the resale value of the more higher priced property.

LEASING LAND (Some Factors To Consider):
When leasing property the following guidelines should be followed:

• Obtain the advice of a reputable real estate agent and an attorney licensed to practice in the Commonwealth;

• Make certain that the lease agreement indicates that the investor, (lessee) is leasing the land directly from a CNMI citizen of Northern Marianas descent and that such person is the last recorded owner of the property in fee simple title , (the lessor);

• Check to determine if the lessor has clear title and the land has been properly registered;

• Determine if the site has good drainage and that surface water run- off will not cause erosion or flooding. Inspect the site during a heavy rainfall;

• Inspect the grade or slope. Does the land run up from the road(good) or down (bad)?

• Are trees, if any, well rooted?

• Examine the soil for good percolation for septic tank use (if necessary);

• Does the site have right of way for ingress and egress?

• Determine if utilities are available ( power, water, sewer, telephone). Power lines are necessary for cable TV;

• Look for any nuisances adjacent or near the site;

• Examine the site's proximity to schools, shopping, beaches,etc.;

• Remember the distance from a fire station or fire hydrant could affect insurance rates;

• A scenic view (sea, mountains, sunset) enhances property values;

• Never invest in land before you have personally walked over the site;

• Remember, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, therefore, if you build below the cliff line on the eastern side of the island you will have a view of the sunrise but no view of the sunset. To observe the beautiful colors of a famous Saipan sunset over the Philippine Sea you must be on the western side of the island.

SCHOOLS:
School age in the Marianas is from 6 to 16 years or from the first through the 12th grade. The schools operate on the U.S. system. There are headstart programs and preschool opportunities for the child under 6 years. In 1987 CNMI high schools applied for the first time for accreditation based on U.S. standards.

COLLEGE:
The Northern Marianas College is a two year institution and offers courses in education, liberal arts and business. It confers Associate Of Arts and Associate Of Science Degrees. Many students who wish continue their education attend the University of Guam or the University of Hawaii.

SEA LIFE:
It is impossible to list the abundant and wide variety of sea life within Commonwealth waters. Underwater coral gardens harbor a myriad of shells, plant life and tropical fish. The near-shore reef and lagoon areas are important for subsistence fishing, particularly net throwing. While sharks have been observed, attacks on humans are rare. Saipan Lagoon provides the habitat for such fish as; surgeon fish rabbit fish goat fish, snapper and parrot fish. Many sea cucumbers occur in the shallow lagoon waters but they are not harvested for commercial purposes. A detailed description of fish may be reviewed in the publication, "A Survey of Fish Resources of Saipan Lagoon", (1974), Division Of Fish and Wildlife, CNMI Department Of Natural Resources.

Fish Poisoning: ciguatera has affected several species of fish in the Northern Marianas from time to time the more common being: red snappers and groupers. While a person who has ingested the toxin may be ill for a long period, death from ciguatera poisoning rarely occurs.

SECRETARIAL SERVICES:
Are available to businessmen and women.

SELECTIVE SERVICE:
All male citizens of the United States and all male permanent resident aliens who are in the Commonwealth and who are between the ages of 18 and 26 years must register with the Selective Service for possible military training and duty. Registration is conducted at United States Post Offices in Chalan Kanoa and Capitol Hill on Saipan and at Post Offices on Tinian and Rota.

SHOPPING:
Shoppers will be able to meet most of their needs on Saipan although prices are higher than the mainland United States as a result of the expense of sea and air freight. Bargaining over prices is not usually practiced in the Commonwealth. There are a number of Duty Free Stores.

SOLAR ENERGY:
The Northern Marianas, being situated in the low latitudes, experiences unusually long hours of sunlight. While there is occasional cloud cover over the islands, it is usually scattered and of short duration. Businesses using only a relatively small amount of electrical energy may find it advantageous to consider the use of photo-voltaics. Power inverters are available to convert battery stored direct current to alternating current.

SUNSETS:
Sunsets in the Marianas are spectacular as they change by the minute offering a palette of red, shades of orange and hues of purple among cloud defused rays of soft colors cast against an evening horizon. Sparkling beams of reflected light ripple on a mirrored western sea as each tropical day is transformed into ever dimming twilight.

Late in the year at the time of the Winter Solstice (December 21st.), the setting sun is as far south on the horizon as will ever be observed from the islands. As the days and weeks grow longer with the approaching summer, so does the evening sun move slowly northward along the islands' western horizon with each disappearing day. The most northern point of the sun's Analemma occurs during the Summer Solstice (about June 21st.) at which time the sun is farthest from the equator and sets almost due west of Tanapag.

An interesting phenomenon known as the "green flash" can sometimes be seen at the precise moment of sunset. This event occurs at the exact moment the top edge of the sun's rim drops below the horizon and is caused when the intense, brilliant rays of this star are refracted when passing through the curvature of the Earth's water surface. For a split second, this creates a flash of green light as sunlight passes through a prism of water.

TAXES:
The Commonwealth has a very amicable tax system which has proven to be a very valuable investment and business incentive as a result of tax rebates.. There are no real estate taxes and no sales taxes in the Commonwealth. Taxes on wages and salaries are graduated as indicated below. The wage and salary tax is withheld after which a portion of the amount of tax paid is rebated to the taxpayer, (see NMTIT Rebate). The present tax structure is as follows:

$0	to	$1000	No Tax
$1001	to	$5000	2%
$5001	to	$7000	3%
$7001	to	$15,000	4%
$15,001	to	$22,000	5%
$22,001	to	$30,000	6%
$30,001	to	$40,000	7%
$40,001	to	$50,000	8%
over $50,000			9%

If the rebate base is:	The rebate amount is:
Not over $1,000	90% of rebate base
Over $1,000 but not over $2,500	$900 plus 70% of rebate base over $1,000
Over $2,500	$1,950 plus 50% of the rebate base over $2,500

Business Taxes:
Generally business pay a 5% tax on their gross income, then pay the Northern Marianas Territorial Income Tax (NMTIT) on the net equal to that which might have been imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. The amount of the Business Gross Revenue Tax paid is credited against the NMTIT tax and a portion of the NMTIT tax paid is rebated to the tax payer, (see NMTIT Rebate below).

Gross Business Revenue

$0	to	$5,000	No tax
$5001	to	$50,000	1.5
$50,000	to	$100,000	2.0%
$100,001	to	$250,000	2.5%
251,001	to	$500,000	3.0%
$500,001	to	$750,000	4.0%
$750,001	and	over	5.0%

Manufacturers or Wholesalers Tax

Gross Revenue

$0	to	$5,000	No tax
$5001	to	$50,000	1.5%
$50,000	and	over	2.0%

NMTIT Rebate
In the case of a taxpayer who is a corporation:

If the rebate base is:	The rebate amount is:
Not over $20,000	90% of rebate base
Over $20,000 but not over $100,000	$18,000 plus 70% of rebate base over $20,000
Over $100,000	$74,000 plus 50% of the excess of the rebate base over $100,000

Excise Tax

Cigarettes	$0.50 per pack
Beer	$0.0167 per fluid ounce
Distilled Spirits	$0.12 per fluid ounce
Food Stuffs	1% ad valorem
Perfume	30% ad valorem
Construction Materials	3% ad valorem
Liquid fuel	$0.15 cents per gallon
Items not specified by law	5%
User Fee	3.5%
Bar Tax	10%

Source P.L. 9-22

For more information write for Pub. 10CM, General Information Regarding Taxation In The Commonwealth from:

Division of Revenue & Taxation
Department of Finance
CNMI Government
Saipan, M. P. 96950

Tel (6700) 664-1000
Fax. (670) 664-1115

TELEVISION:
Marianas Cable Vision broadcasts 24 hours. They offer more than 30 channels including CNN. All programs are aired one week later than in the mainland except CNN which is live.

TIME:
The standard time in the Marianas is ten hours in advance of Greenwich.

TIME TABLE COMPARING SAIPAN WITH OTHER AREAS

When The Time on Saipan is 12:00 Noon

City	Difference	Time
Seoul	1 hr. behind	11:00 a.m.
Tokyo	1 hr. behind	11:00 a.m.
Okinawa	1 hr. behind	11:00 a.m.
Manila	2 hrs. behind	10 a.m.
Taipei	2 hrs. behind	10:00 a.m.
Hong Kong	2 hrs. behind	10:00 a.m.
Singapore	3 hrs. behind	9:00 a.m.
Bangkok	3 hrs. behind	9:00 a.m.
Honolulu	20 hrs. behind	4:00 p.m. day before
Melbourne	1/2 hr. ahead	12:30 p.m.
New York	15 hrs. behind	9:00 p.m. day before
San Francisco	18 hrs. behind	6:00 p.m. day before
Chicago	16 hrs. behind	8:00 p.m. day before
Paris	9 hrs. behind	3:00 a.m.
London	10 hrs. behind	2:00 a.m.

The International Date Line is between Hawaii and the Mariana Islands. As a consequence of this geography, at no time do normal business hours on the United States east coast coincide with those of the Commonwealth. Indeed, telephone communication from the U.S. west coast and Hawaii, when conducted during normal business hours and work days can only take place 4 days a week or between Monday and Thursday ( in the US ), Tuesday to Friday (in the CNMI).

Daylight Savings Time is not utilized in the Commonwealth since there is little variation in the length of daylight hours between the winter and summer months. This is a result of the islands' proximity to the equator causing about the same length of daylight hours throughout the year.

The pace of life is a bit slower and more relaxed in the islands than that of the United States mainland and Japan. The phrase "island time", which is sometimes used, is a measure of time without too much regard to the hands of a clock except when government officials and executives of larger businesses are involved, then you can expect the time of your appointment to be kept exactly as arranged.

TOURISM:
The tourist sector is a major component of the Commonwealth economy. The average length of stay for the visitor to the Commonwealth has been estimated to be 3.5 days with an average expenditure of between $235. and $275. per day for those arriving by air. It has been estimated that in Fiscal Year 1994 visitor expenditures totaled $554 million and that more than 4,000 jobs in the Commonwealth were directly related to tourism. By early 1994 there were more than 3,362 hotel rooms on the three islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota. In 1994 an average of 5,504 visitor were within the islands on any given day. The majority of the hotels in the Commonwealth are foreign owned and operated and accommodate almost exclusively prepaid packaged group tours wholesaled by some twenty-two organizations to Japan's retail travel agents. Sixty four percent of the hotel rooms in the Commonwealth are owned by the Japanese, 13 percent owned by Chinese, 11 percent are owned by Koreans with the balance owned by U. S. citizens. Some local residents do own shares in several of the large hotels. Several of the smaller hotels are owned and managed by US/CNMI citizens. A wide variety of restaurants and other tourist catering businesses are owned and managed by the Japanese and other foreign investors.

Saipan has one - nine hole golf course and four world class eighteen hole golf courses one of which is being expanded to thirty six holes. There is one course on Rota with a second golf course planned. Without question the Marianas will soon become the premier golf destination in the world.

The Commonwealth is geographically located near major tourist markets in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Guam. Saipan has direct air service to major cities in Japan, Seoul, Manila, Hong Kong and Guam. Inter-island air service is available daily between Saipan, Tinian, Rota and Guam.

TOURISM INFORMATION: Contact

The Marianas Visitors Bureau
P. O. Box 861
Saipan, M.P. 96950

Tel. (670) 234-8325
Fax. (670) 234-3596

In Japan:

Marianas Visitors Bureau Tourism & Trade Office Tokyo
Kotsu Kaikan Bldg 2F
2-10-1 Yurakucho Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100, Japan

Tel. 81-3-3215-3180
Fax. 81-3-3215-0523

TRAVEL FATIGUE:
Air travel to the Northern Marianas from long distances without a break in the trip, particularly from the United States, can result in "jet lag%quot;. Passing rapidly through several time zones can serve to disorient some people and sometimes requires days to recover from a combination of fatigue, insomnia, irritability and poor concentration before one's "body clock" adjusts to a new time. Some people take melatonin pills before their trip to overcome these adverse effects.

U.S. POSTAL SYSTEM & OTHER DELIVERY SERVICES:
The CNMI is located within the United States Postal Zone 8 and U.S. postal rates apply. The main post office is located in Chalan Kanoa, with a branch on Capitol Hill. There is no mail delivery by the U. S. Postal Service, as most streets and roads are unnamed and, with the exception of the government housing on Capitol Hill, houses are not numbered. U. S. Post Office boxes are not always available. There are private facilities such as Marianas Postal Service and Pacific Postal Plus where boxes may be rented and other services provided. Pacific Postal Plus is the local agent for United Parcel Service (UPS). DHL, Federal Express and TNT Skypack also serve Saipan.

The zip codes are as follows:

Saipan-96950
Tinian-96952
Rota -96951

Mail to Saipan can be delayed due to flight cancellations from Hawaii. The same is true for mail outbound from Saipan. However, such delays are infrequent.

Mail delivered by the U. S. Postal Service between Saipan and Guam requires about 1.5 days delivery time and to the U. S. mainland about 6 to 7 days, (UPS, DHL and other service to and from the mainland requires about 3 days).

Parcels sent through the U.S. Postal System, UPS , DHL and other delivery services from the United States or elsewhere to U.S. Post Offices or any other destination in the Commonwealth may be opened by CNMI Customs inspectors.

VEGETATION:
The variety of botanical species is limited and there are no vegetation zones. This results in part because of the islands' isolation and geological formation. The Marianas are not considered to be tropical rain forest. Plants consist of vines, shrubs, ferns, grasses, including Savanna and trees. The more common trees are: coconut, flame tree, Formosan koa, ironwood ( Casuarina), Banyan, papaya, tangan tangan, mangrove and a few other varieties. There are very few citrus trees. There are several nurseries on Saipan and one commercial botanical garden where a wide variety of tropical flowers may be enjoyed such as Bougainvillea, Plumeria, etc. The islands are a photographer's delight when the flame trees bloom,(June and July). The official flower of the Commonwealth is the Plumeria, (Flores Mayo), Plumeria acuminata.

Lethal yellowing (LY) which has been attacking coconut palms elsewhere within the earth's "coconut belt" has not stricken the Northern Marianas as yet.

WASTE DISPOSAL:
Privately operated disposal services on Saipan are available on a contractual basis.

WATER - SEWER:
Commercial and residential: Locally produced bottled water is available on Saipan manufactured from brackish sources by the process of reverse osmosis. The price is $0.50 per gallon. The water is pure and widely consumed throughout the island.

The 1990 Census revealed that only 30 percent (1,804) of Saipan's total 6,085 housing structures were served by the public sewer system. The sewer system does not extend to all areas of Saipan. Some businesses and residential areas have provided their own systems.

WEATHER:
The Marianas enjoy a tropical oceanic climate characterized by relative high and uniform temperatures. The annual mean temperature is 83 degrees Fahrenheit (F.). The seasonal variation in mean monthly temperature is less than 3.5 degrees F. However, temperature is affected by elevation; hence, the islands of Saipan and Rota show considerably greater temperature variations between the coastal and mountainous areas. The Guinness Book Of World Records lists Saipan as having "the most equable temperature" with a low of 67.3 degrees Fahrenheit and an high of 88.5 F., with the range being 21.2 degrees. While the barometer pressure is uniform there are double diurnal maxima and minima. Humidity is very high with monthly averages between 79 and 86 percent but fresh breezes provide a measure of comfortable relief. The lowest relative humidity occurs in the early afternoon when the air is heated faster than evaporation can compensate and the highest just before dawn when temperatures and the capacity of the air to hold water vapor are at their minimum.

The months of greatest humidity are July to November. The mean annual rainfall is approximately 83.8 inches, but rainfall varies from year to year. Sometimes the islands experience droughts generally during the period from December through June. Some rain does occur during the dry season. The wet season is from July through October.

There is considerable cloudiness in the Marianas and on a scale of 10 (ranging from 0 for a cloudless sky to 10 representing a completely overcast sky) the annual mean cloudiness averages 6.7. Cloudiness is greatest from July to September when the average number of cloudy days per month is about 19.

The Marianas experience three wind patterns. These are: trade winds, doldrums and typhoons. The islands lie near the border between the Asiatic monsoon and the belt of northeast trade-winds. At Saipan, easterly winds prevail about 45 percent of the time. From November until March or April winds tend to be easterly and northeasterly. Average annual wind velocity is 10.5 mph.

Two principal types of storms influence the climatic character of the Northern Marianas: small-scale storms, consisting of thunderstorms and squalls, and large systems of tropical storms and typhoons which can dominate an area as large as 300,000 square miles and persist for a week or more.

Light thunderstorms occur occasionally throughout the year, particularly during the months of June to October. The season of most serious storms is from August to mid-December. This is the period of the most frequent occurrence of tropical disturbances. While typhoons do not occur every year, when they do pass over the islands winds of 115 miles per hour with gusts of 160 miles per hour can be experienced. The islands have a very efficient system of monitoring tropical storms and ample time is provided to prepare for such disturbances.

YACHTING:
Sailing charts of the area may be obtained from:

Distribution Branch
(N/CG 33)
National Ocean Service
Riverdale, Maryland, 20737-1199 - U.S.A.

Price $13. each

Popular charts are:

• Saipan Harbor, #81 AHA81076
• Laulau Bay & Tinian, # 81AHA81071.
• Charts are also available for the Northern Islands.

For those yacht owners who desire the base their vessels at Saipan and make them available for charter by visitors and others there are two principal Coast Guard regulations which should be examined. Time charters are closely regulated by the Coast Guard. This will be particularly true should a Japanese owner sail to Saipan, dock and then leave the boat in the islands for his personal use several times a year and, in the interim, permit a local company to utilize the vessel by operating it for tourist day cruises or for some other purpose. The Coast Guard regulates this type of activity very closely for the safety of the passengers.

Many of the complex and comprehensive Coast Guard regulations can be "short-circuited" to some extent by adopting the "bare boat charter" method where-by the yacht is leased out for a period of time with no requirements or controls exercised by the owner over the vessel with the lessee more or less free to operate the the vessel without any restrictions placed there-on by the lawful owner. Individuals interested in such arrangements should not fail consult with the United States Coast Guard at Saipan.

SMILING COVE MARINA
This marina, north of the American Memorial Park in Garapan, provides a safe anchorage for boats during storms. The basin depth is from 10 to 14 feet at high tide.

ZIP CODES:
The zip codes are as follows:

• Saipan-96950
• Tinian-96952
• Rota -96951

RESOURCE: "Business Reference And Investment Guide To The Commonwealth Of The Northern Marianas Islands": A form of economic atlas in full color, English, 100,000 words, 232 pages 76 maps, 57 charts, 44 statistical data tables and many other illustrations describing the history, geography and economy, 3rd edition. By William H. Stewart.