The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is located in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The CNMI consists of 14 islands organized in four municipalities: Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the Northern Islands. The CNMI has the advantage of being affiliated with the United States. Residents of the CNMI enjoy American citizenship, Constitutional protections and other benefits while retaining control over internal affairs such as taxation and customs policies.