A fabulously beautiful place - the Mariana Archipelago - is located on the western “outskirts” of the Pacific Ocean. Everyone who has been to this paradise noted the unusually successful combination of exotic nature, Micronesian culture and American democracy, which together create a unique lifestyle and relaxation where you want to stay forever.
Mariana Archipelago
Too often, this part of the Pacific falls into the Guinness Book. Here, for example, the deepest trench in the world - the Mariana one - is brought in there. It is located in close proximity to the place where Saipan, the largest island and the capital of the archipelago, is located.
Until the 20th century, this area was called the Ladron Islands, which means “land of thieves” in Spanish. They include 15 fairly large islands and several small ones that form 2 territories - Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, which are part of the commonwealth of the United States.
The Mariana Archipelago is an arc, the southern part of which is older (approximately 20 million years), which includes Guam, Saipan, Rota, Agihan and Tinian. These are the remains of the oldest coral reefs, which more than once for such a long period rose and sank to the bottom.
The northern part of volcanic origin and more “young”, and in total in the archipelago area there are 50 volcanoes under water and 11 are the islands themselves.
Today, many tourists prefer to visit most of the large islands during a trip to the archipelago, ending the journey where Saipan is located. The coordinates of the island are 15 ° 11′06 ″ s. w. and 145 ° 44′28 ″ in. e. A guided tour includes Guam, Rota, Hagihan and Tinian, it is here that tourism is most developed and the most beautiful coral reefs are located.
History of the archipelago
Archaeological finds indicate that where Saipan is located, people lived already in 2000 BC. e. They were immigrants from the southeast of Asia, who after some time were replaced by the Chamorro tribe. They had their own social hierarchy, the head of which was women. Interestingly, even the colonialists did not succeed in eradicating matriarchy, although they have been trying since the 16th century and imposing their religion on the natives.
An interesting name - “island of thieves” - was given to Guam, whose local population robbed one of the ships of Magellan, taking advantage of the fact that the sailors were tired after a long voyage. Soon the whole archipelago was called so. This was the acquaintance of the chamorro with the Europeans.
Starting from the first half of the 16th century, the islands passed from hand to hand, which had an extremely detrimental effect on the local population. For example, Spanish colonization reduced the chamorro population from 1521 to the mid-18th century from 150,000 to 5,000. In just 2 centuries, almost the entire indigenous population of the Mariana Archipelago was destroyed by war and disease.
At the end of the 19th century, Spain surrendered the part where Saipan was located to the United States of America under a peace treaty, and sold the northern part of the archipelago to Germany.
After World War I, the islands came under Japanese control, but were conquered by the United States in 1944. It was from here that planes with atomic bombs took off aboard, heading for Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Since 1978, Saipan (where its territory is located, as mentioned above) became the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands and, together with Guam, received the status of unincorporated organized territories of the United States.
Island Description
It is there that Saipan (island) is located, where the Mariana Trench is located. His eastern side, he begins to descend into it. It has a mixed coral and volcanic origin, which created ideal conditions for tourism. So, its western and southern parts are gorgeous sandy beaches with a large lagoon formed by reefs, and the eastern part has steep shores. A few kilometers from them begins the Mariana Trench, the depth of which is more than 11,000 m. As scientists have recently discovered, its area is 400,000 km 2 , and at the bottom there are 4 mountain ranges, each of which reaches a height of 2.5 km.
On Saipan there is a low mountain Tapochau (474 m), which, oddly enough, is not of volcanic origin, but of limestone.
Saipan is an island (Saipan in English), which is suitable primarily for outdoor enthusiasts. The ideal climate, which is also included in the Guinness Book due to the constant daily temperature of +27 degrees year-round, creates optimal conditions for diving, tracking and snorkeling.
For example, Saipan is the island where the world's second most beautiful underwater cave is located - Grotto. So decided a special jury, consisting of diving experts. The Islet of Manyagakh, located in the lagoon of Saipan, is not far behind it. The water area around it is recognized as the 4th in the world the best place for snorkeling.
The island's lagoon is also included in the Guinness Book, since it was here in 1999 that 215 people dived simultaneously.
Natural attractions
Among the attractions of the island of Saipan (Mariana Archipelago) there are both natural and man-made.
The first include the Grotto and Manyagaha cave mentioned above, as well as Banzai Klif. This is a cliff located on the north side of the island. The name is not accidental, since it was from him that the Japanese who survived after the battles with the Americans — the soldiers and the local population — threw themselves into the sea.
Mount Tapochau is famous not only for the beautiful panorama of the island that opens from it, but also for the statue of Jesus Christ.
Historical sights
An interesting visit to the archipelago will be a visit to the botanical garden, where you can contemplate both 2,000 species of exotic plants, as well as green iguanas and tropical lizards.
The Museum of History and Culture presents exhibits telling about life on the island from the time of the ancient Chamorro tribe to World War II.
The American Memorial Park is a place not only for the memory of American soldiers killed in battles in these parts, but also for relaxation.
Here you can play tennis, jogging, windsurfing or swimming.
Diving and fishing
The Mariana Archipelago, where Saipan is located, is a paradise for divers and snorkelling enthusiasts. At their disposal are not only the most beautiful coral reefs in the world, but also numerous sunken ships and planes.
No less interest in these places is shown by treasure hunters. The gold items presented at the Museum of History and Culture, although they are the largest collection of treasures from sunken Spanish galleons in the world, represent only a small part of what has been raised from the bottom of the ocean.
Fishermen will also not be bored. Barracuda, coryphene, long-nosed marlin, tuna weighing more than 100 kg - this is only a small part of the list of fish that make up the catch. For example, it was here that a swordfish caught on a hook, whose weight was about 450 kg.
Local kitchen
Gourmets should definitely come to Saipan. Here they are waiting for restaurants with Chinese, Japanese, French, American and Italian cuisine. A variety of fish dishes, coconut soup with vegetables and broth with minced meat and tomatoes are very popular.
Beef and lamb ribs with sauces for every taste await meat-eaters. You should try the local coconut wine in order to know what a tube is, but you should be prepared that the fermented juice of young coconuts has a peculiar taste.