Understand
Saipan is 23 km 14 mi long and 8 km 5 mi wide. The best beaches and most populated areas are on the western and southern coasts, with the north and east being rugged and mountainous.
Because only one branch of the US Military - the Coast Guard - has even a small permanent presence on Saipan, many Chamorros on Saipan consider their culture more intact than on Guam. Therefore, comparisons between the two islands should take this into account. Furthermore, Chamorros on Saipan and throughout the CNMI still primarily speak Chamorro at home, while the same isn't true of Guam. While the differences between a commonwealth as in the CNMI and a territory as in Guam may not appear to be great especially to a mainland US citizen, Saipan should not be referred to as a territory when speaking to a local. Finally, while the population of the CNMI, as on Guam, are US citizens and proud to be recognized as such, their independent identity is equally important.
