I have noticed that the CIA and other compilers of geographical
knowledge often dodge the bullit when it comes to giving the names of
the capitals of smaller political entities....por ejemplo..They will
state that the capital of the Marshall Islands is "Majuro" which is
not really the capital but is the island on which the capital"Dalap
Uliga Darrit" is located.They say that the capital of Tuvalu is
Funafuti instead of Fongafale..The capital of Kiribati is listed as
Tarawa instead of Bairiki etc.(and yes..I am aware that Bairiki is no
longer the capital..it is now the village of "South Tarawa").That
would be somewhat like saying that the capital of Hawai'i is "Hawai'i
instead of "Honolulu". It would seem to me that every place has some
central area.(however small and insignificant it might seem to the
Cia) that provides some means of contact for its citizens with
either their elected or appointed officials or with other political
entities..Therefore I find it difficult to believe that the capital
of the Northern Mariana Islands is listed as "Saipan".Surely one of
the communities on the island of Saipan is the nerve center and not
the entire island?...I have seen Chalan Kanoa and other towns
listed ,but which is the actual nerve center? Also ..is Pago Pago the
capital of American Samoa..or is it "Fagatogo"..The CIA says Pago
Pago..but a tourist agency person who lives there tells me that Pago
Pago is the harbour in which the capital "Fagatogo" is located.