[citation needed] It lies approximately 40 nautical miles (74 km) north-northeast of the United States territory of Guam.

In 1919, the League of Nations formally recognized Japanese control under the South Seas Mandate.

[2] During the final stages of the war, Rota was occasionally bombed by aircraft of the U.S. Navy in an attempt to silence its radio transmitter that was providing warning to the Japanese home islands upon the take-off of B-29 Superfortress bomber attacks from Tinian, Saipan, and Guam, but the island was never invaded by American troops.

B-29 bombers on Guam would use Rota to dump their bombs if they had mechanical issues and needed to turn back during a raid on Japan.

After the end of World War II, Rota became part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

In the 21st century, tourism is popular on the island, with a variety of natural, historic, and marine sites.

[6] 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.

[11] See also List of numbered highways in the Northern Mariana Islands 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.

In 2010, the junior high school was renamed for the former Commissioner of Education, Dr. Rita Hocog Inos.