The Northern Mariana Islands are a group of small islands located in the Pacific Ocean, near the Philippines and Japan. Think of it like a really big sandbox in the ocean, but instead of just one big mound of sand, there are 15 smaller mounds that make up this area.
The islands are made up of two main types: volcanic islands and coral atolls. You know when you make a sandcastle at the beach, how you can make a big mound and then dig a little moat around it? That's kind of what happens with these coral atolls. The inside part is like a lagoon, and the outer part is a big reef that protects it.
The islands are home to some amazing things, like underground rivers that come out in the ocean, beautiful beaches, and lots of different animals. They're also very important for things like fishing and tourism.
But because they're in the middle of the ocean, they can be affected by things like storms and tsunamis. It's important for people who live there to be prepared and take precautions to keep themselves safe.
Overall, the Northern Mariana Islands are a beautiful and unique part of the world that are important for many different reasons.