Japanese garrison, which numbered 947 Imperial Japanese Army and 1853 Imperial Japanese Navy. After the end of World War II, Rota became part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Since 1978, the island has been a part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The current mayor is Efraim Manglona Atalig. Geography Rota is long and wide. Its coastline is about long. The highest point on Rota is Mt. Sabana which is . Rota is north of Guam, south of Tinian and south of Saipan. Rota has diverse flora and fauna including the endemic and endangered Rota white-eye, Mariana fruit bat, and Mariana crow. Much of the island, especially where there are remnants of native forest, have been recognised as forming an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. Transportation Rota has an airport, Rota International Airport. Education Post-secondary Northern Marianas College established the Rota Instructional Site to provide post-secondary, continuing, and adult education and training opportunities for the purpose of improving the quality of life for the people of Rota. Since its inception in August 1986, the Rota Instructional Site has assisted many people who chose to pursue college education locally over the high cost of post-secondary education elsewhere. Many students have obtained a Certificate of Completion, an associate degree, or the bachelor of science degree in Elementary Education, have found better paying jobs, and have continued pursuing higher degrees. The results are positive, and the community has depended on NMC for quality education and training. Presently, Rota offers a variety of programs: Adult Basic Education, Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, CREES (Agriculture and Aquaculture Extension), 4H Club, and Expanded Food & Nutrition Education (EFNEP), Business Development Workshops, Continuing Education Courses, and Community Services Programs Primary and secondary Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System operates public schools. Rota has two public schools: Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior & Senior High School. In August 2011, Rota's junior and senior high schools were merged due to budget concerns. They are now Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior & Senior High School. With this merger, the junior high now consists only of the 7th and 8th grades. The 6th grade was moved to Sinapalo Elementary in Sinapalo Village. RHIJSHS is located on the former junior high school campus in Songsong Village. Rota Jr./Sr. High School was formed in 2006 by the consolidation of Rota High School and