The Mariana Islands in the western Pacific attract travelers with the beauty of a tropical paradise. A chain of 15 tiny land areas is located north of the equator and borders the eastern part of the Philippine Sea. On the territory of the archipelago are two independent state entities. One of them is called the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or simply the Northern Mariana Islands (SMO), the second is Guam.
Tropical paradise
The Mariana Islands - a warm climate, evergreen forests and picturesque lagoons. The archipelago is surrounded by fantastically beautiful coral reefs, and the vibrant underwater world promises exciting adventures. In this part of Micronesia, the summer is warm throughout the year, the atmosphere of warm hospitality and celebration reigns. Tourists enjoy snorkeling, diving, surfing on the islands. Many come to soak up the white sandy beaches. Hotels on large islands have a high level of service, there are golf clubs, gourmet restaurants.
Where is the archipelago, how to get there?
The Mariana Islands on the map stretch between parallels 12 and 21º; they form an arc along 145 ° E. w. with a total length of about 810 km. In the south, the archipelago borders on the Caroline, and in the north - on the Japanese islands. In this territory, the time difference with Moscow is +6 hours. To travel to the Mariana Islands, citizens of Russia do not have to apply for a visa if the time of stay does not exceed 45 days. You can get to the archipelago by plane with one change in cities in the southeast of the mainland. An amount of 1200–1300 US dollars will be required for a flight with 1-2 transfers on the route “Moscow - Mariana Islands”. Rest, prices in hotels depend on the city the tourist will choose. Between the islands of the archipelago runs air transport, ferry, boats and inflatable boats.
When is the best time to go? Climate and seasons
Tours to the Mariana Islands are organized year-round, because in all parts of the archipelago, summer lasts 12 months a year. The climate is due to the good location of the islands between the North Tropic and the equator. The tourist season is open year round, but travelers need to consider the differences between dry and wet periods. Temperature conditions during the year are not very diverse - +27 ... + 29 ° (maximum +33 ° ). Precipitation is about 2000 mm / year. There is a dry period, its duration is 8 months - from December to July. Then comes the wet season, which lasts until November. The trade winds at this time bring an abundance of moisture from the ocean, the main amount of precipitation falls. In August – November, typhoons and storms are likely. The water temperature on the beaches almost the whole year is +28 ... + 29 ° , only in February and March it drops to +27 ° . The most comfortable months to relax are December – March.
State structure and population
Northern Mariana Islands - a territory freely associated with the United States, has self-government. Citizens are considered nationals of the United States, but do not vote in national elections. The same rights have the population of the island of Guam (Mariana Islands). Other important tourist information about the states of the archipelago:
- administrative center QS - about. Saipan;
- the capital of Guam - the city of Hagatna;
- English is official, Chamorro Aboriginal and Caroline dialects are also used;
- Catholicism is the dominant religion;
- US dollar is a monetary unit.
Indigenous people have preserved their language and traditions related to land cultivation, hunting and fishing. Immigrants from other territories of Micronesia and the Caroline Islands support the cultural heritage of their ancestors in the form of national music, dance, crafts and needlework.
Chamorro Earth History
Presumably in the III millennium BC. e. from the territory of modern Indonesia, catamarans brought the first inhabitants of the Mariana Islands to the outskirts of the Philippine Sea. From these ancient mariners came the Chamorro people. The name was given to the archipelago by the Spaniards in honor of the actual head of Spain, Marianne of Austria. In 1565, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi attached the Mariana Islands to the possessions of the Spanish crown. Large-scale colonization began 100 years later and was associated with missionary activity. The population was converted to Christianity and taught to grow cereals and raise livestock.
At the end of the 19th century, Spain ceded Guam to the United States along with Puerto Rico and the Philippines, and sold the other Mariana Islands to Germany. Saipan has become a center for growing coconuts for Germans. Japan in 1914 seized control of the islands of the archipelago, held the territory until the naval battle with the U.S. Navy and the US Army ground forces in 1944. From the airfield to about. Tinian climbed a plane that dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. At the same time, the UN recognized the US protectorate over Guam, and in 1947, the United States custody of the Northern Islands of the archipelago.
The amazing nature of the islands
The relatively young Mariana Islands on the map are a chain of land areas of volcanic and coral origin. They arose more than 25 million years ago. In the same part of the ocean is the deepest place in the oceans - the Mariana Trench with the Challenger Basin (over 11 km). The highest active volcano of the archipelago (965 m) is located on the northern island of Agrikhan. Soils, flora and fauna were formed under the influence of a warm humid climate, the proximity of the ocean. Also influenced by isolation from the mainland. The richness of nature of the large islands are:
- valleys covered with fertile lands;
- rainforests;
- sandy beaches gleaming in the sun.
- majestic cones of extinct volcanoes;
- picturesque underwater caves and grottoes.
Flora includes many species of thermophilic trees, shrubs of flowers. Banana, coconut, hibiscus and orchids grow here. Representatives of 40 species of birds, giant crabs and lizards, whose sizes reach 1 m, live on the islands. Among the lush tropical vegetation on about. Wild ungulates find refuge in the sarigan.
Islands Tourism
On about. Saipan is home to 90% of the Commonwealth population and most beach hotels are located. The picturesque islands of Tinian and Rota are populated, where many hiking trails are organized. Uninhabited parts of the archipelago are also popular due to the ability to reach them within one day and engage in water sports. Travelers head to the islets to watch the birds and dive to the coral reefs. There are golf courses in Saipan and excursions in the surrounding area are offered. Among the favorite entertainment of tourists include:
- sailing in boats with a transparent bottom;
- yacht cruises;
- windsurfing;
- jungle walks;
- mountain biking through the mountains and the jungle;
- air flights and skydiving over the lagoon of Saipan;
- attending courses at golf clubs.
Diving, snorkeling and fishing
The coastal waters of the archipelago are clean and transparent. Such conditions are favorable for various forms of living beings.
Dozens of species of intestinal organisms form coral reefs bordering the Mariana Islands. Photos of the underwater world do not leave indifferent any diver and snorkeller.
Often come across clown fish, tuna, barracuda, swordfish. Dolphins, whales and other sea creatures (octopuses, lobsters, sea turtles) are found in the waters of the ocean near the islands.
Archipelago Attractions
The abundance of natural conditions for an unforgettable vacation is complemented by a developed tourist infrastructure on large islands - Saipan, Tignan, Rota and Guam. Coral reef and Lau Lau Beach, popular with fans of water recreation, are located on the southeast coast of Fr. Saipan. Grotto is a natural cave with lakes up to 15 m deep and an underwater exit into the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean. In the Mariana Islands, prehistoric latte buildings are formed by two parallel rows of plates. Height is about 1.5 m, width - over 3.5 m, there are stone ceilings on top. Buildings with a length of 12 m could serve as a support for religious buildings or houses. On the island of Tinian is the most famous of these artifacts, called the "House of Tag". The eventful history of the Mariana Islands is reflected in museum displays and memorials.
8 mysteries of the Mariana Islands
- In the IX century AD e. the population built huge pillars of "tag", the exact purpose of which has not yet been solved.
- Matriarchy remained on the islands before the arrival of Europeans.
- The islands of the Mariana archipelago are distinguished by a wide variety of peoples and languages. Scientists counted at least a dozen different ethnic groups involved in the formation of the genetic fund.
- The famous navigator of the Middle Ages, Fernand Magellan, who gave the name the Pacific Ocean, replenished supplies of food and water in Guam. The name given to him by the archipelago did not take root.
- The Mariana Islands are considered the “best kept secrets of America”, which is associated with a mixed attitude to US military operations during the “Battle of the Pacific” in 1944-1945.
- In 1638, in the Strait of Saipan near Cape Agingan, a Spanish galleon carrying gold was wrecked. A small part of the precious cargo was found in the 80s of the XX century, and the main treasures still lie at the bottom.
- The enviable constancy of the climate of the islands raises many questions among meteorologists. Year-round temperature on about. Saipan is +27 ° C. The record is listed in the Guinness Book.
- Grotto Cave in Saipan amazes everyone with its unusual beauty. Scientists find it difficult to explain what caused such a variety of its underwater world. Skin Diver magazine has included the cave in the top 10 best diving spots.