The Mariana Islands in the western Pacific Ocean attract travelers with the beauty of a tropical paradise. A chain of 15 tiny patches of land is located north of the equator, bordering the eastern part of the Philippine Sea. There are two independent state formations on the territory of the archipelago. One of them is called the Commonwe alth of the Northern Mariana Islands or simply the Northern Mariana Islands (CMO), the second is Guam.
Tropical Paradise
The Mariana Islands offer 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. This part of Micronesia is summer-like warm throughout the year, with an atmosphere of warm hospitality and celebration. Tourists like to go snorkeling, diving, surfing on the islands. Many come to soak up the white sandy beaches. The hotels on the major islands have a high level of service, there are golf clubs, exquisiterestaurants.
Where is the archipelago, how to get there?
The Mariana Islands on the map stretched between the parallels 12 and 21º, they form an arc along 145°E. sh. with a total length of about 810 km. In the south, the archipelago borders on the Caroline Islands, and in the north - on the Japanese Islands. On this territory, the time difference with Moscow is +6 hours. To travel to the Mariana Islands, Russian citizens do not need to apply for a visa if the 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. You will need an amount of 1200-1300 US dollars for a flight with 1-2 transfers on the route "Moscow - Mariana Islands". Rest, prices in hotels depend on the city where the tourist chooses. Air transport, ferries, boats and inflatable boats run between the islands of the archipelago.
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 favorable location of the islands between the Tropic of the North and the equator. The tourist season is open all year round, but travelers need to be aware of the differences between dry and wet periods. Temperature conditions during the year do not differ in great variety - +27 … +29 °С (maximum +33 °С). Precipitation falls on the order of 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 bringabundance of moisture from the ocean, the bulk of precipitation falls. In August-November, there is a high probability of typhoons and storms. The water temperature on the beaches almost the whole year is +28…+29 °С, only in February and March it drops to +27 °С. The most comfortable months for rest are December-March.
State structure and population
Northern Mariana Islands - a territory freely associated with the United States, has self-government. Citizens are considered subjects of the United States but do not vote in national elections. The population of the island of Guam (Marian Islands) has the same rights. Other important information for tourists about the states of the archipelago:
- administrative center SMO - about. Saipan;
- Guam's capital is Hagatna;
- English is the official language, Chamorro Aboriginal and Caroline dialects are also used;
- Catholicism is the dominant religion;
- US dollar - monetary unit.
Indigenous people have retained their language and traditions associated with cultivating the land, hunting and fishing. Natives from other territories of Micronesia and the Caroline Islands support the cultural heritage of their ancestors in the form of national music, dances, crafts and needlework.
History of Chamorro Land
Presumably in the III millennium BC. e. catamarans delivered the first inhabitants of the Mariana Islands to the outskirts of the Philippine Sea from the territory of modern Indonesia. From these ancient seafarers descended the Chamorro people. The name of the archipelago was given by the Spaniards in honor of the actual headSpain Marianne of Austria. In 1565, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi annexed the Mariana Islands to the possessions of the Spanish crown. Large-scale colonization began 100 years later and was associated with missionary activities. The population was converted to Christianity and taught to grow cereals and raise cattle.
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 became the center of coconut cultivation for the Germans. Japan in 1914 seized control of the islands of the archipelago, held the territory until the naval battle with the US fleet and the land landing of the American army in 1944. From the airport to about. Tinian took off from the plane that dropped the 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 guardianship of the United States over 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 there is the deepest place in the World Ocean - the Mariana Trench with the Challenger Basin (more than 11 km). On the northern island of Agrihan is the highest active volcano in the archipelago (965 m). Soils, flora and fauna were formed under the influence of a warm, humid climate and the proximity of the ocean. Isolation from the mainland also had an impact. The we alth of nature is largeislands are:
- valleys covered with fertile lands;
- rainforest;
- sandy beaches gleaming in the sun.
- majestic cones of extinct volcanoes;
- picturesque underwater caves and grottoes.
Flora includes many types of heat-loving trees, flower shrubs. Banana, coconut palm, hibiscus, orchids grow here. Representatives of 40 species of birds live on the islands, giant crabs and pangolins, whose sizes reach 1 m. Among the lush tropical vegetation on the island. Sarigan finds shelter for wild ungulates.
Island Tourism
On about. Saipan is home to 90% of the Commonwe alth's population and is home to most of the beach hotels. The picturesque islands of Tinian and Rota are inhabited, where many hiking trails are organized. The uninhabited parts of the archipelago are also popular due to the opportunity to reach them within one day and enjoy water sports. Travelers go to the islets to watch birds and dive to coral reefs. Saipan has golf courses, excursions around the surrounding area are offered. Tourist favorites include:
- glass bottom boating;
- yacht cruises;
- windsurfing;
- walking in the jungle;
- mountain bike rides through mountains and jungles;
- airflights and skydiving over the Saipan lagoon;
- 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 coelenterates form the coral reefs that fringe the Mariana Islands. Photos of the underwater world do not leave any divers and snorkelers indifferent.
Clownfish, tuna, barracuda, swordfish often come across. Dolphins, whales and other sea creatures (octopuses, lobsters, sea turtles) are found in the waters of the ocean near the islands.
Sights of the archipelago
The abundance of natural conditions for an unforgettable vacation is complemented by a developed tourist infrastructure on the large islands - Saipan, Tinyan, Rota and Guam. Popular with fans of water recreation, the coral reef and Lau Lau Beach are located on the southeast coast of about. Saipan. Grotto is a natural cave with lakes up to 15 m deep and an underwater exit to the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean. In the Marianas, prehistoric latte structures are formed by two parallel rows of slabs. The height is about 1.5 m, the width is over 3.5 m, there are stone ceilings on top. Structures 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 the expositions of museums and memorial monuments.
8 mysteries of the Mariana Islands
- In the 9th century A. D. e. population builthuge “taga” pillars, the exact purpose of which has not yet been figured out.
- Matriarchy was preserved 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 have counted at least a dozen different ethnic groups that participated in the formation of the genetic fund.
- Famous navigator of the Middle Ages Fernand Magellan, who gave the name to the Pacific Ocean, replenished food and water supplies in Guam. The name of the archipelago given by him did not take root.
- The Mariana Islands are considered "America's best-kept mysteries" due to controversy over US military action during the "Battle of the Pacific" in 1944-1945.
- In 1638, a Spanish galleon carrying gold was wrecked in the Saipan Strait near Cape Agingan. 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 from meteorologists. Year-round temperature on about. Saipan is +27 °C. The record is listed in the Guinness Book.
- The 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 included the cave in the top 10 best dive sites.
