The sea surrounding the Caroline and Mariana Islands. Open left menu Northern Mariana Islands

Mariana Islands , or to be more precise - the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI - Commonwealth of Northern Mariana islands)- small Island state V micronesia, in the western part Pacific ocean. The ridge consists of 15 islands of volcanic origin, the largest of which Saipan, Tinyan And Company. However, only 14 islands belong to the Commonwealth, and the fifteenth is an island Guam, the largest and southernmost of Marianas islands, is considered a separate territory belonging to USA, which they received as a war trophy back in 1898. The islands form two chains - northern And South, stretching in the ocean for almost 650 km.

South Commonwealth Marianas islands borders on Caroline islands that are under guardianship and lie 1100 km from the island Company, to the east - Marshall islands, in the west -, to the north and northwest is located. To the east of the islands is perhaps the most important local geographical attraction, familiar to everyone from school geography lessons - Mariana Trench, with a depth of 11,775 meters.

Saipan - main island state, located approximately 2660 km east of Manila; 2730 km north of Port Moresby ( Papua New Guinea) , 5980 km west of Honolulu (Hawaii, USA) and approximately 80 km northeast of the island Guam (USA). There are no cities on the islands in their usual sense, and even the inhabited territories cannot be called urbanized. After all, even the island Saipan, with administrative centers Susupe And Goropan occupy an area of only 120 sq. km.

The ubiquitous and demanding Japanese and Koreans dominate here among the tourists. They really know a lot about quality service. They come here in tens of thousands every month, especially during the days of the Japanese golden week or at New Year . This is explained by the fact that Tokyo or from Seoul before Saipan the flight is approximately three and a half hours. And the state language here, it seems, is English, and the monetary unit is the dollar. USA, but still, at times, the impression does not leave the impression that these islands are almost Japanese or Korean - this is how the presence of Asian tourists is felt here. Many restaurants with Japanese names accept both Japanese yen and Korean won, and hotel staff willingly answers in both Korean and Japanese.

Most recently the newspaper "Saipan Tribune" wrote about how a Japanese doctor named Hiroyuki Maida, who has been visiting for ten years in a row Saipan from Tokyo, arrived on the island for the jubilee hundredth time. To the question: "Why?" - he laughs and replies that on his very first visit here he fell in love with Saipan and now he likes it here as much as ten years ago.

Tourists from Russia here in the vast minority, although they appear here, perhaps more often than other Europeans. And they're starting to like it too. And everyone has their own reasons for this. Diving enthusiasts, for example, can be seduced by the beauties Grotto- a natural cave with underground lakes up to 15 meters deep and tunnels to open sea. Here you can also dive to the crash sites of World War II planes in the harbor Tanapag, to the caves and breeding sites of conger eels in the area Obyan Beach, as well as to huge coral massifs off the coast in the area. But for snorkeling the best place on Saipan- island Managaha, on Tignane- beach Tachona, and on Company - Corell Gardens, coral gardens in the bay Sasanaya. If you have never dived at all, then on Saipan everything you need, you will be taught by Russian dive guides.

The same tourists who are far from diving, masks, snorkels and scuba gear are not familiar with Marianas the islands will also be very good. It is an ideal place for both relaxed and active species recreation. There are a huge number of cycling and hiking trails. On Saipan main route - trail Laderana Tangka through the forest Marpy Commonwealth. There is a beautiful route along the coast Cummer And Taga south of San Jose on Tignane.

Other ways to relax include windsurfing, which is extremely popular here (the best place is the beach Micro on Saipan), tennis, golf and short underwater excursions in the lagoon between Saipan and island Managaha, where you can see at the bottom of the sea, in addition to its numerous inhabitants, traces of the wrecks of Japanese ships or American bombers "Superfortresses" B-29. Don't forget to take your driver's license with you to travel around scenic roads anywhere on the island.

Beach holidays here are a real pleasure. One of the favorite places for tourists is the island Managaha, which is located half an hour by boat from Saipan(round-trip ticket 50USD). It's best to spend the whole day here. The island is small, quiet and cozy. The whole beach is pure white sand, no algae and shells. You can rent sun loungers and a mask with a snorkeling tube (15USD) and swim, look at the underwater world ... Diverse inhabitants seabed there are a huge number of all shapes and colors, and completely unintimidated - you can easily touch many of them with your hands, and if you offer them some kind of delicacy, they will be happy to eat from your hands ... And when you get hungry yourself, numerous restaurants, in a variety located in the shade of palm trees will offer you dishes for every taste.

Local population - chamorro. Smiling, welcoming and friendly. They smile not because it is necessary to do so out of courtesy, but simply because the smile reflects their state of mind. TO characteristic features local etiquette can be attributed almost Japanese reluctance to refuse a guest or fear of upsetting him with his refusal. Therefore, situations of complete misunderstanding are not uncommon, since a local resident can easily give the advice that, in his opinion, will not upset the tourist, and not at all the one that corresponds to reality. At the same time, some Asian "compliance" is striking, which, however, does not go beyond the usual careful attitude towards tourists. And at the same time, in some regions, especially on the outlying islands, the influence of the old traditions of the indigenous inhabitants of the islands is noticeable, with numerous taboos and ceremonies. In most places visited by tourists, the orders are quite European, and you can not be afraid of any difficulties in communicating with the locals.

Nature and Climate

If you ask a local resident about what kind of Saipan if the weather happens, then you will not hear many and lengthy explanations. Weather all year round either good or very good. Often very good. That is, it is when it is warm, regardless of the time of year + 27 + 30 degrees in the shade. Clear sky, blue-blue ocean and water temperature +26 degrees. A good weather differs from a very good one in that it is only a couple of degrees lower.

It is worth noting that sometimes the islands are hit by typhoons that originated in the open spaces Pacific ocean. But even these typhoons did not prevent us from taking Saipan worthy place V Guinness Book of Records for the most stable weather and temperature in the world.

The sun is very hot here and the level of solar radiation is very high, so it is recommended to wear sunglasses, hats and light protective clothing, which should not be discarded when swimming, especially in the first days after arrival - a thin layer of water does not protect from ultraviolet radiation at all.

Do not underestimate the danger of tidal currents - when passing through the cracks and narrowness of the reefs, they form quite powerful eddy currents that can seriously impede navigation. For unaccustomed swimmers, one should be careful in the ocean surf, because even a small wave with a force of up to two points generates intense rebound waves that can greatly complicate the beaching.

Many beaches covered with coral rubble and volcanic rocks are quite difficult to move around and require strong shoes. Also, special requirements for footwear and clothing are imposed when visiting caves, in which ideally smooth sections of rocks are periodically replaced by characteristic limestone "brushes" with rather sharp edges.

Currency exchange and Banking

The state currency is the US dollar (USD). The exchange rate fluctuates in line with changes in the financial market.

There are 100 cents in one US dollar. There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 dollars, as well as coins in denominations of 1 dollar, half dollar (50 cents, half dollar) and quarter dollar (25 cents, quarter) and denominations of 5 and 1 cent.

Almost everywhere they accept Japanese yen and Korean won.

Traveler's checks in US dollars are accepted everywhere. USA, and it is absolutely not necessary to visit a bank branch, since most hotels, restaurants and large stores cash them on the spot. If during the trip you are going to visit small islands, we still recommend that you stock up on the necessary amount of cash in advance.

Bank branches are open from Monday to Thursday, from 10.00 to 15.00, on Fridays - from 10.00 to 18.00. Some banking offices on the outlying islands may operate on their own schedule.

ATMs and Credit Cards
All major international credit cards of common payment systems are accepted everywhere: VISA, Master Card, Diners Club, American Express. On remote islands, you may encounter problems when trying to pay for something with a plastic card, because often small private shops simply do not accept card payments. Most hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies and diving centers on Saipan, Tinyan And Company accept plastic cards for payment. ATMs can be found in bank branches and large shopping centers.

VAT and Tax-Free
When paying for services in hotels, a hotel tax of 10% is charged. There are no other commercial taxes, including VAT.

Customs and Passport Control

The import and export of national (USD) or any other foreign cash currency, as well as checks, including travel, debt and securities, is allowed. Imported cash exceeding the equivalent of 10,000 USD is subject to mandatory declaration. Items made of gold and precious stones are subject to mandatory declaration.

Prohibited import to Marianas islands of drugs, stimulants, psychotropic substances, anabolic steroids and growth hormones, amphetamines, erythropoietin, barbiturates, hallucinogens and some other medicines.

The transport of weapons is strictly regulated: firearms, pneumatic, cold steel and sports (including nunchucks, bows and crossbows, slingshots, switchblade and folding knives), as well as ammunition for it and parts of weapons, which require appropriate certificates and licenses issued by the office of the General prosecutor CNMI.

Perishable products, mangoes from the Philippines, meat and meat products are prohibited for import into the country, except for those made in the mainland. USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, on Hawaii And Guam, noodles with instant meat and other "dry" foods.

We allow duty-free import of the following goods:
- no more than 600 cigarettes manufactured in USA marked Surgeon General's Warning, or, no more than 200 cigarettes manufactured in other countries;
- up to 450 grams of cigars;
- up to 1 liter of strong alcoholic beverages (for persons over 21 years old);
- up to 1 liter of weak alcoholic beverages (for persons over 21 years old);
- up to 2 ounces (56 ml.) of perfume;

If the specified norms are exceeded, the owner of alcohol must pay a duty for each fluid ounce in the amount of: 5 cents for beer and wine, 3 cents for spirits. Commercial items are not exempt from taxes and duties, as they are not considered everyday items.

You should pack flammable items, aerosols, hairspray, lighter gas, piercing items in your luggage, as they will not be allowed on the plane as hand luggage.

Transportation of animals
With rules for the transport of pets and clearance travel documents we recommend that you familiarize yourself with them in advance, when booking and buying air tickets. Please note that the weight of the animal and its container is not included in the free rate baggage and is paid exclusively as excess cargo. Only guide dogs accompanying their owners in flight are transported free of charge.

Time

On Marianas On the islands, time is not converted to winter and summer. It always remains in one unchanged time zone and is + 10 hours to the time Greenwich.
Hourly difference between Moscow And Saipan is + 7 hours.

Visas and Consular Information

Since October 3, 2019, visa-free entry to the Mariana Islands has been canceled for citizens of the Russian Federation. To visit Saipan or Guam, Russians need to have an American B1 or B2 visa, which entitles them to multiple entries into the United States within 180 days. Visa must be obtained in advance at the US Embassy in the territory Russian Federation.

An important condition for entry to the Mariana Islands is the presence of a biometric foreign passport (i.e. valid for 10 years).

Opening hours of institutions, shops and museums

The usual opening hours of trade enterprises are from Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 12:00 and from 13:30 to 17:00, on Saturdays from 08:00 to 13:00. Many private shops have their own hours and are often closed on Sundays, but most large department stores and duty-free shops are Saipan open all week.

Bank branches are open from Monday to Thursday, from 10:00 to 15:00, on Fridays - from 10:00 to 18:00. Some banking offices on the outlying islands may operate on their own schedule.

Transport

The remoteness of the islands from each other made the plane the most convenient means of transportation. Railways no at all. Except taxi public transport absent. The best way to get to know Saipan is a rental car.

Aircraft
Almost all tourists come to Marianas islands by plane. The main and largest airports are located on Saipan And Guam. Airplanes from countries arrive at this airport daily. Asia And North America . Flights are operated by airlines Japan Airlines, Continental Micronesia, Northwest Airlines And Asia Airlines.

Direct flights to Marianas islands from Moscow and other cities Russia does not exist. The shortest route to Northern Mariana islands for tourists Russia passes through countries South-East Asia . Usually tourists from the Russian Federation go to Saipan or Guam with transit stops at Tokyo, Hong Kong or Seoul.

Domestic flights between the islands are operated by local airlines. The plane is the most convenient means of transportation on the islands. There are several domestic flights daily between Saipan, Rota And Tignan.

Buses
The islands do not have a developed bus system, however, there are several routes connecting the main cities. But you can easily find a taxi at the airport and in the city, in parking lots near hotels. A number of hotels organize regular bus routes to major shopping centers and the airport.

Car rental
The most convenient way to travel around the islands is by car.

Renting a car will not be difficult for you. There are many car rental agencies on the island. It is best to take a car in already well-known and proven companies Hertz or Avis. All rights are valid on the island and no deposit is required. The rental price depends on its term and, of course, on the class of the car. The cost of gasoline is 1.9 USD per gallon (4 liters).

Before you get behind the wheel, be sure to familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of the traffic rules adopted on the island.

Telephone codes

In order to call Marianas islands, you need to dial the code:

8 - 10 - 1 - 670 - "island code" - "subscriber number"

Subscribers on all islands have seven-digit numbers, where the first three digits of the number indicate a specific island, and the rest are the subscriber's number.

telephone system Marianas islands is modern and integrated with communications USA. International telephone service is available from any public telephone, from most hotels and restaurants.

pay phones
You can find pay phones everywhere. All of them work with telephone cards, which are sold at post offices, newspaper and tobacco kiosks. You can make local, as well as long-distance and international calls from any pay phone. You can purchase cards T&E Long Distance And PTI Long Distance denominations of 5 and 10 USD. All local calls cost, depending on the place of the call, from 25 to 35 cents, from a hotel room - 50-75 cents per minute. Some phones accept credit cards AT&T and credit cards.

cellular
Cellular communication covers almost all the southern islands and part of the northern ones. Roaming with local networks PTI Pacifica Inc.(GSM 850 standard) and Wave Runner LLC Mariana Islands(i CAN GSM, GSM 1900) is available to subscribers of the largest Russian cellular companies through the networks of other operators in the region.

Internet
Internet services in the territory Marianas The islands are relatively poorly formed, but recently certain efforts have been made to develop them. Internet cafes are few and far between, mostly focused on Saipan, however, almost all major hotels and business centers have their own access points, including those equipped with WiFi.

Representations of the Russian Federation

In the territory Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands diplomatic, trade and other missions Russian Federation No.

Electricity

On Marianas On the islands everywhere the voltage in the network is 220-240V, with a current frequency of 50Hz. Plugs and sockets are class A, i.e. those that are widely used in Northern And Central America and in . The plug consists of two parallel blades. In the Japanese version, the contacts are the same length. In the American one, one is slightly longer than the other. Devices with a Japanese plug can be used in American outlets, but not vice versa.

Tips

Tipping is accepted but not required and usually amounts to no more than 10-15% of the bill. Mandatory tips -1 USD, are given only to hotel employees when bringing luggage and to dancers in striptease clubs. When paying for rooms directly at the hotel, a hotel tax of 10% is charged. There are no commercial taxes. Bargaining is not accepted.

Additional Information

The Marianas use the imperial system of weights and measures.

Personal safety
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands considered a safe country to visit. The crime rate is low, the situation with personal security is quite calm. There is petty theft, currency fraud and other offenses, without outgrowing, however, the local sizes familiar to the islands. When visiting the country, it is recommended to be guided by common sense - you should not leave valuables and documents unattended, it is not recommended to deliberately demonstrate your well-being or visit certain areas alone and at night, this especially applies to Philippine neighborhoods.

Health and Medicine
No vaccinations are required to cross the border of the country. When visiting outlying islands, vaccination against hepatitis B and dengue fever is recommended.

All drinking water on the islands comes from natural sources or rainwater harvesting and within settlements practically safe to use. However, it is recommended that you only use boiled or bottled water for drinking, brushing your teeth, or making ice, especially during the first week of your stay. Milk and dairy products are usually pasteurized and are safe to consume. Meat, seafood and fish are considered safe, but it is still recommended to use them only after preliminary heat treatment, preferably hot. Vegetables should be thoroughly washed and pre-treated, and fruits should be peeled.

Medical care at Marianas islands is quite high quality, but relatively expensive. On Saipan, Tinyan And Company there are quite modern clinics, with qualified staff and good equipment to provide most medical services. Ambulance is provided free of charge, for other cases of contacting doctors, you will need to pay on the spot. Cash is preferred, however some clinics work with credit cards. In case of serious medical problems, patients are transferred to clinics Hawaiian islands or Japan.

Dangerous plants and animals
There are no dangerous animals on the territory of the islands. However, there are many poisonous or rather aggressive sea creatures in the surrounding waters, so when swimming and diving under water, you should pay special attention to the bottom and the water column. The backbones of many bottom-dwelling fish are venomous, and the quills sea urchins and the sharp edges of coral massifs leave harmless, but rather painful and long-healing wounds. It is recommended in all cases of diving in unfamiliar places to consult with local residents or diving instructors.

manners
When photographing local residents you should always ask their permission beforehand.

Saying hello and goodbye is accepted by the hand.

Attitude towards clothing is quite democratic. In formal occasions, it is supposed to have strict evening wear - light trousers or a long skirt and a strict shirt with medium-length sleeves will be enough, and in the evenings a light sweater will be useful. In everyday life, you can get by with a light dress and even jeans, although in the local hot climate, jeans are not the best choice. The most appropriate leisure wear is a t-shirt and shorts. Beach suits are not recommended to be worn outside the coastline, too open bikinis can also cause disapproval.

Northern Mariana Islands or Northern Mariana Islands Community- a small island state in Micronesia, in the western part of the Pacific Ocean in the Mariana Islands archipelago. It has the status of a non-aligned territory freely associated with the United States. Territory - 477 km². The capital is Saipan on the island of the same name.

The Mariana Islands archipelago consists of 15 islands of volcanic origin, the largest of which are Saipan, Tinian and Rota. However, only 14 islands belong to the Northern Mariana Islands, and the fifteenth - the island of Guam, the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands, is considered a separate territory belonging to the United States.

The Mariana Islands are an island arc located in a tectonically active region in the western Pacific Ocean. The archipelago is located 2500 km east of the Philippines and at the same distance north of Papua New Guinea. The islands are stretched for about 800 km.

Geologically, the islands can be divided into two groups: the older southern one (Rota, Tinian, Agihan, Farallon de Medinilla, Saipan) and the young northern one (the rest of the islands of the archipelago). All islands of the northern group are stratovolcanoes. Most of the islands are surrounded by coral reefs. The reefs of the southern islands are older and better developed. There are about 50 underwater volcanoes in the region of the islands, and 11 volcanoes form islands.

To the east of the islands is perhaps the most famous local geographical attraction - the Mariana Trench, 11,775 meters deep.

Climate of the Northern Mariana Islands

Climate of the Northern Mariana Islands- tropical, trade wind.

The rainy season lasts from July to December, average temperature at this time +33..+35°C. Tropical storms and typhoons occur in the Pacific Ocean from August to November. The "dry" months on the islands are from December to June, due to sea breeze the average temperature at this time is +27..+29°C. The average annual sea water temperature is +25°C.

Best time to visit the Northern Mariana Islands - from December to March, and the tourist season on the island of Saipan lasts all year.

Last changes: 10.05.2013

Population

Population of the Northern Mariana Islands- 88.6 thousand people (2009). The average life expectancy is 74 years for men, 79 years for women.

Ethnic composition: Asians (Filipinos, Chinese, etc.) 56.3%, peoples of Oceania (including Chamorros) 36.3%, mixed origin 4.8%, whites 1.8%, other 0.8%.

The majority of believers on the islands are Catholics (Roman Catholic Christianity). Part of the population considers itself to be of East Asian origin.

Official languages: English, Chamorro, Carolina.

Last modified: 05/10/2013

Currency

Currency: US dollar (USD), 1 USD = 100 cents. In circulation are denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars, coins - penny (1 cent), nickel (5 cents), dime (10 cents), quarter (25 cents), half dollar (50 cents), as well as 2 and 1 dollars.

Almost everywhere they accept Japanese yen and Korean won.

Bank branches are open from Monday to Thursday, from 10.00 to 15.00, on Fridays - from 10.00 to 18.00. Some banking offices on the outlying islands may operate on their own schedule.

Most hotels, restaurants, car rentals and diving centers in Saipan, Tinian and Rota accept credit cards. ATMs can be found in bank branches and large shopping centers. On remote islands, you may encounter problems when trying to pay for something with a plastic card, because often small private shops simply do not accept card payments.

Traveler's checks in US dollars are accepted everywhere for payment, and it is not necessary to visit a bank branch at all, since most hotels, restaurants and large stores cash them on the spot. If during the trip you are going to visit small islands, we still recommend that you stock up on the necessary amount of cash in advance.

VAT and Tax-Free

When paying for services in hotels, a hotel tax of 10% is charged. There are no other commercial taxes, including VAT.

Last modified: 05/10/2013

Communication and communications

Telephone code: 1 - 670

Internet domain: .mp

Ambulance, police, fire department: 911

How to call

To call from Russia to the Northern Mariana Islands, you need to dial: 8 - beep - 10 - 1 - 670 - subscriber's number.

To call from the Northern Mariana Islands to Russia, you need to dial: 011 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.

Fixed line

You can find pay phones everywhere. All of them work with telephone cards, which are sold at post offices, newspaper and tobacco kiosks. You can make local, as well as long-distance and international calls from any pay phone. Some phones accept credit cards.

mobile connection

Cellular communication covers almost all the southern islands and part of the northern ones. Roaming with local networks (GSM 850/1900 standards) is available to subscribers of the largest Russian cellular companies through the networks of other operators in the region.

Internet

Internet cafes are few, mostly concentrated in Saipan, but almost all major hotels and business centers have their own access points, including those equipped with Wi-Fi equipment.

Last modified: 05/10/2013

Where to stay

Hotel prices on the island of Saipan are quite high, especially during the Japanese holiday season (up to 0.5 million tourists visit the Northern Mariana Islands a year, mainly from Japan). There are few cheap hotels on the islands, there are no hostels.

Last modified: 05/10/2013

Sea and beaches

On the islands of the Southern Group ( Saipan, Tinian and Rota)- Beaches with fine white sand. The islands of the Northern Group - the beaches here are with black volcanic sand.

Last modified: 05/10/2013

Story

The Mariana Islands were discovered by the expedition of Magellan on March 6, 1521. Chamorro natives, who lived at the stage of the primitive communal system, stole a boat from the Spaniards, and Magellan called these islands Las Islas de los Ladrones - that is, the islands of Thieves or the Robber Islands.

Although these islands were declared possession of Spain in the 16th century, the Spaniards began to establish practical control over them only from 1668. Spanish Jesuit monks landed there, renaming the islands the Marianas, "Las Islas Marianas" or "Las Marianas" in honor of Marianne of Austria, and began the conversion of the natives to the Christian faith. This caused fierce resistance from the natives, and as a result, almost the entire male population of the islands was destroyed by the Spanish soldiers who accompanied the monks. Subsequently, the population of the Mariana Islands increased again due to the offspring of aboriginal women from Spanish soldiers and monks.

The Spanish colonialists practically did not develop the islands, and at the end of the 19th century, Germany became very interested in the Pacific territories. As a result, under an agreement dated February 12, 1899, Germany bought the Mariana Islands from Spain for an amount equivalent to $ 4.5 million (except for Guam, annexed by the United States - the largest and southernmost island of the Mariana Archipelago).

The Germans began to create plantations on the islands, but their rule was short-lived - in the First world war The Mariana Islands (like the neighboring Caroline and Marshall Islands, also bought by Germany from Spain in 1899) were occupied by Japan, which, under the Treaty of Versailles, received them as a mandate of the League of Nations.

The Japanese actively developed plantations of sugar cane, as well as coconut palms, tobacco and citrus fruits on the islands, and pursued a targeted policy of settling the islands by the Japanese and forcibly assimilated the natives (including the method of forced physical mixing of natives with Japanese settlers).

During World War II, American troops captured the Marianas and other pacific islands, after the war, Japanese settlers were deported to Japan, and the Caroline, Marshall and Mariana Islands were transferred under the care of the United States in 1947 by decision of the UN.

The community of the Northern Mariana Islands was created in 1976 in the process of division of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Unlike the Marshall and Caroline Islands, the Marianas decided to abandon state independence, preferring only internal self-government.

On November 4, 1986, the final agreement on the political union of the Northern Mariana Islands with the United States came into force.

In 2007-08, changes were made to the agreement on political union between the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States, bringing the laws of the commonwealth closer to US requirements. including a gradual increase in the minimum wages up to the size established in the USA, on the election of a delegate to the US House of Representatives and changes in immigration laws (the last changes came into effect on November 28, 2009).

Last modified: 05/10/2013

Entertainment

Popular in the Northern Mariana Islands are - diving, snorkeling, trekking, windsurfing And golf.

Diving- the main dive site of Saipan "Grotto" (underwater access to the ocean through underwater grottoes) - is the most unique in the world in terms of the beauty of underwater architecture. The water temperature in the coastal waters of the islands is comfortable all year round and does not change depending on the time of day. Perfect transparency allows you to see the beauty of the underwater world.

Snorkeling- the best places for snorkeling: Saipan - the island of Managaha, Tinian - Tachona beach, Rota - Corell Gardens in Sasanaya Bay.

Trekking– all three main islands of the archipelago are good for hiking. The main route in Saipan is the Laderana-Tangka trail through the Marpi Commonwealth forest. Tinian has an excellent route along the banks of the Cummer and Taga south of San José.

Windsurfing- The best place for surfing is Micro Beach in Saipan.

Golf- Several golf clubs are open on Saipan: Kingfisher Golf Links ("Kingfisher Golf Club"), Coral Ocean Point ("Coral Ocean Point"), Lao Lao Bay Golf Resort("Lau Lay Bay Golf Club"), Marianas country club("Marianas Country Golf Club").

The golf courses of the island are technically very different from each other, but they are similar in one thing - beautiful views of the ocean and chic tropical nature. The local clubs require the same punctuality as most clubs in other countries of the world. All clubs require you to dress appropriately for golf. Tops and slippers are not welcome.

What is interesting to see in the Mariana Islands?

O.Saipan, 23 km. long and 8 km. wide - the largest among the Marianas and is the administrative center of the Commonwealth. Saipan impresses with its beauty and attracts tourists all year round with its warm sea and bright sun. The center, Gararan, is the most…

Video from the Mariana Islands

How to get to the Mariana Islands?

From Russia to about. Saipan can be reached by flying via Seoul, South Korea, or Tokyo, Japan. There are daily flights from both states to the Mariana Islands.

flight time: 3 hour flight from Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya),

4.5 hour flight from South Korea (Seoul, Busan),

5 hours flight from China - Shanghai (regular charter flights from Beijing and Guangzhou are also available)

vaccinations: No vaccinations are required to visit the Marianas.

How to comfortably move around the Mariana Islands?

road traffic: Driving is right-hand drive, cars are left-hand drive. The rules of the road are the same as in Russia with small exceptions, for example, at a red light, you can turn right, letting cars from the opposite lane turn left.

Traffic and rules are very simple. There are no huge traffic jams here. big cities. Top speed is 35 mph, on some big roads 40-45 mph. For renting a car, the age limit is 21 years and older.

Traffic Laws:

Wear seat belts (fine from $50.00)

Children under 4 must be fastened in child seats, from 4 years and older - with a car seat belt

At the stop signal (STOP) on the school bus, you must stop

It is forbidden to enter the oncoming lane

Parking on the blue (with a sign for the disabled) is prohibited

The middle lane (yellow solid or dotted on both sides) is allowed to be used only during a left turn or a full U-turn, but only after a complete stop.

After sunset, it is necessary to turn on the dipped beam (18:30)

When the car is stopped by the police, do not get out of the car. You need to open a window.

Driving while intoxicated is strictly prohibited.

car rental: Car brands

Toyota, Ford, Nissan, KIA

Documentation

It is enough to have a Russian license with you. You can pay by card or cash.

The car is rented with a full tank and the car must be returned with a full tank. In case of violation of the contract, the amount for gasoline is tripled.

In some car rental offices, it is offered to pay for gasoline in advance.

Insurance

Each car rental office offers several types of insurance.

Car insurance is not required. You can opt out of insurance, but in this case, you must leave your credit card details.

Taxi: Taxis in Saipan can only be hailed from hotel stands. Taxi services, although metered, are expensive.

buses: Saipan, Tinian and Rota do not have an urban transportation system. There is a free duty free bus from the store to the hotels and back.

hitch-hiking: It is possible to hitchhike in the Marianas, but this is not a common practice.

airports: Each island: Saipan, Rota and Tinian has international/local airports. The main airport of the Mariana Islands - international Airport on about. Saipan.

airlines: Asiana Airline (O.Z.)

Delta Airlines (DL)

Shanghai Airline (FM)

Continental Airline (CO)

Freedom Air (FRE)

railway: There are no railways in the Marianas.

ports: The only international port is on Saipan, and three local ones are on the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

Where is the best place to stay while traveling in the Mariana Islands?

Climate in the Marianas

The climate is tropical. O. Saipan is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the owner of the most constant round-the-clock year-round temperature in the world of +27 degrees C. The season for tourists in the Mariana Islands is open all year round.

There are 2 seasons - dry and wet. The wet season falls for 6 months from July to December. A special characteristic of the wet season is intermittent rains during the day and heavy rains at night, which does not prevent tourists from enjoying the warm sea and the bright sun. The average air temperature during the wet season is +33 - +35 degrees Celsius and the average rainfall is 1800-2000 mm.

The dry season falls for 6 months from January to June. The weather this season is cool with a light breeze and the air temperature drops to +27 degrees Celsius. The average water temperature is +25 degrees Celsius, precipitation is reduced to a minimum, droughts are possible.

Between July and November, tropical storms and typhoons are possible in the Pacific Ocean. Basically, they become infected in the Mariana Islands and go north, gaining their strength already off the coast of the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Korea or Japan.

National cuisine of the Mariana Islands

The cuisine in the Marianas is international. Initially, with the development of the textile and tourism industries on the islands, a multinational population developed. The Chinese, Filipinos, Thais, Japanese, Koreans, Americans, Australians and other nationalities have influenced the diversity of the islands' cuisine. Accordingly, the island has many restaurants and eateries to the liking of each of these nationalities.

The locals are very hospitable, and if you make friends in Saipan, you will definitely be invited to visit, where they will offer local dishes such as red rice, meat or poultry grilled or in coconut milk, corn tortillas, spicy chicken calaguen, apigigi (young coconut with starch flour wrapped in a banana leaf), tropical fruits and many other dishes. You can taste local dishes in hotel restaurants or at the local fair on Garapan on Thursdays.

Tourist safety in the Marianas

History of the Marianas

The first settlers migrated from Southeast Asia to the Marina Islands 1500 BC. Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer and navigator, discovered the Marianas and mapped them in 1521, and in 1565 Spain declared the islands its territory and…

Mariana Islands souvenirs

Coconut products Bojobo mascots Products from the seeds of the Bojobo tree Shell and coral jewelry Traditional wood products Traditional bone products Coconut leaf wicker products Traditional bead products Pictures Medicinal products from noni fruits Noni …

Mariana Islands: interesting facts

The deepest trench in the world, the Mariana Trench, which is over 11,000 meters deep, is located to the east of Saipan.

Guinness book records:

Temperature: in the Mariana Islands, the most stable temperature in the world is +27 C.

In 2007, Marine Dive magazine put 18 categories of dive-related sites around the world up for readers' votes. After voting, 5 prestigious awards were determined for the Mariana Islands.

Managaha Island Lagoon won first place as “Best Snorkeling Spot”

Fourth place was shared by Managaha for “ best beach” and the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota for “ Best Region for diving”

Fifth place was shared by Rota for "Teteto" beach as "Best Beach" and the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota as "Best Resort Area".

Underwater cave "Grotto" is considered the second most beautiful place in the world among diving specialists. Skin Diver magazine has listed this place as one of the top 10 scuba diving spots.

For four consecutive years, Managaha Island has been awarded and received the title of "Best Snorkeling Destination" at the Tokyo International Fair.

Saipan - Treasure Island! The Saipan Museum of History and Culture has the world's largest collection of artifacts and treasures from Spanish galleons! In 1638, at Cape Aguingan in the Saipan Strait, not far from the PIC Hotel, the galley Nuestra Señora de la Conception wrecked with a cargo of gold. Only a small part of the cargo was found by an underwater expedition in the 80s of the last century. Most of the treasures still remain at the bottom of the strait. The most expensive part of the treasure is in the museum and their duplicates can be seen in one of the halls: gold jewelry inlaid with diamonds and other precious stones, necklaces, chains, fine porcelain, etc.

On the island of Saipan lived the artist Douglas Rankin, who created a unique painting technique - banana painting. Instead of a brush, he used cuttings from a banana tree. He cut and wrapped leaves, carved dies and rollers from trunks. Then he created unique paintings with his unusual instruments. Douglas Rankin died in 2007.

Official name - Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands(Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).

Located in the Western Pacific Ocean. The area is 477 km2, the population of the Mariana Islands is 80 thousand people. (2003). Official language- English. The administrative center of the Mariana Islands is the island of Saipan (over 50 thousand people, 2003). Public Holiday- Commonwealth Day January 8 (1978). The monetary unit of the Mariana Islands is the US dollar.

Member of the Pacific Community (formerly UTK, since 1983).

The Mariana Islands are located between 13° and 31° north latitude and 144° and 146° east longitude on 14 islands of the Mariana archipelago, stretching for 685 km from north to south. It borders on the south with Guam (the 15th island in the Mariana ridge, turning into the deepest on the planet Mariana Trench- 10 900 m).

All islands are volcanic and mountainous. The length of the coastline is 1482 km. The northern islands (9) are younger. active volcanoes are preserved on Pagan and Agrikhan (unnamed peak 965 m - highest point Micronesia). Ma-ug and Guguan - nature reserves wildlife, thousands of seabirds nest in the trees on the tops of the cliffs. Sarigan is rich in tropical vegetation, home to a large colony of wild goats. The southern islands (5), including the largest ones (Saipan, 125 km2, Tinian, 105 km2 and Rota, 101 km2), are older. On calcareous soils, coconut palms, heat-resistant cereals, sugar cane, etc. grow there. Saipan has 6 different landscapes, from volcanic hills to wet lowlands and sandy beaches.

Natural resources: fish stocks in the 200-mile economic zone.

The climate of the Mariana Islands is tropical, even throughout the year, the average temperature is + 30 ° C, drier than in other parts of Micronesia. The amount of precipitation is low - within 250 mm per year. Rainy season: July - November. At this time there are typhoons.

The population of the Mariana Islands is growing rapidly (3-4% per year), incl. through immigration. Most of the population is made up of Micronesian peoples (Chamorro, Carolinians, etc.), there are Europeans, Japanese, Chinese, Filipinos and Koreans. Chamorro (mostly oral) and Caroline are widely spoken. Less than 15% of the population speak English in families. Most Chamorrans speak some Japanese to communicate with tourists. Competently 97% of the adult population of the Mariana Islands. Life expectancy for men is 73 years, for women - 79 years. Infant mortality 5.5 pers. per 1000 newborns.

Most of the population of the Mariana Islands is concentrated on the island of Saipan, 5 more islands are inhabited.

The Catholic religion dominates, combined with adherence to traditional legends, beliefs and taboos.

In 1521 F. Magellan discovered the Mariana Islands. Their colonization in the 17th century. was accompanied by armed clashes between the Spaniards and the indigenous people - the Chamorros, most of whom were exterminated. They got their name in honor of Marianne of Austria - the widow of the Spanish king Philip IV. In 1899 Spain sold them to Germany. After the 1st World War, under the mandate of the League of Nations, the islands came under the control of Japan. In 1947, the United States received Mariana as one of the United Nations Trust Territories. Access to the islands was restricted due to US military installations. Most of Tinian (from where the B-29 aircraft took off for the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki) is still reserved for the use of the US Armed Forces. In 1972, negotiations began between representatives of the islands and the US government on the future status of the Marian. In 1975, they signed an Agreement establishing the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, which are "in political union" with the United States. Since 1978, after approval in a referendum, the Marian Constitution came into effect, on the basis of which the first elections of legislative and executive power were held. In 1986, the aforementioned Agreement entered into force. In 1990, the UNCT abolished the status of a mandated territory in relation to the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands.

The Mariana Islands is a self-governing Commonwealth "in political union" with the United States, which controls external Relations and defense. The head of state is the President of the United States. Indigenous people has American citizenship, but does not participate in American elections. Federal financing of the Marian economy is the responsibility of the US Department of the Interior.

The country does not have an administrative division, but there are 4 municipalities (Northern Islands, Saipan, Tinian and Rota).

Executive power is exercised by the governor (Juan N. Wabauta) and the lieutenant governor (Diego T. Venevente), elected by direct universal suffrage for 4 years. The next elections are in 2005. The bicameral Legislative Assembly has 9 senators (elected for 4 years) and 18 members of the House of Representatives (for 2 years). The population of the islands also elects a "permanent representative" in the United States with residence in Washington (unlike Guam, which has its own delegate to the US House of Representatives).

Political parties: by analogy with the United States - Republican (its members are the current governor and permanent representative in Washington, 4 senators and 16 deputies of the lower house) and Democratic (3 senators and a deputy), Reform Party (senator), Agreement Party (deputy).

The Mariana Islands do not have diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation.

GDP per capita 12.5 thousand US dollars. The main sectors of the economy are the rapidly growing clothing industry and tourism. About 50% of the workforce is employed in the tourism industry (25% of GDP), another 35% (mostly Chinese) in the clothing industry. The number of foreign workers is more than 4 times higher than the number of local workers, among whom unemployment is high - 30%.

The role of agriculture is small. Coconut palm, breadfruit, vegetables and fruits are grown on small farms. Cattle are bred on the ranch. Fishing and processing of fish (mainly tuna) are of certain importance.

length highways- about 400 km. 2 seaports on Saipan and Tinian. Of the 6 airports, 3 have paved runways and a helipad.

From 500 thousand or more foreign tourists visit the islands per year (Japanese predominate, Marianas are the Pacific islands closest to them and memorable places battles of World War II).

US financial assistance is important for the Marian economy, but its share in the country's budget is last years declined as the local revenue base increased.

The main export item is garments. Food, fuel, construction materials and equipment are imported. The main partners are the USA and Japan.

The school system includes public (primary and secondary schools) and private schools. You can continue your education at the Northern Marian College, as well as at educational institutions in the United States.

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 Commonwealth 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 and vibrant underwater world promises exciting adventures. In this part of Micronesia, it is warm in summer throughout the year, the atmosphere of cordial hospitality and celebration reigns. Tourists like to go snorkeling, diving, surfing on the islands. Many come to soak up the whites sandy beaches. In hotels on major islands high level services, there are golf clubs, gourmet restaurants.

Where is the archipelago located, 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. total length about 810 km. In the south, the archipelago borders on the Carolines, and in the north - on the territory. In 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 all 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 are not very diverse - +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 bring an abundance of moisture from the ocean, and most of the precipitation falls. In August-November, there is a high probability of typhoons and storms. The water temperature on the beaches almost all year round 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

The Northern Mariana Islands is a territory freely associated with the United States and is self-governing. 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:

the administrative center of the SMO - about. Saipan;
the capital of Guam is the city of Hagatna;
English is the official language, Chamorro Aboriginal language and Caroline dialects are also used;
Catholicism is the dominant religion;
The US dollar is the monetary unit.

The indigenous people have retained their language and traditions associated with cultivating the land, hunting and fishing. People from other territories of Micronesia and the Caroline Islands support cultural heritage 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 head of Spain, 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 US Navy and the US Army land landing 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 northern islands archipelago.

The amazing nature of the islands

The relatively young Mariana Islands on the map represent 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 most deep place in the World Ocean - the Mariana Trench with the Challenger Trough (more than 11 km). The northern island of Agrihan has the highest active volcano 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 richness of the nature of the large islands is:

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 types of heat-loving trees, shrubs and flowers. 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 find shelter wild ungulates.

Tourism on the islands

On about. Saipan is home to 90% of the Commonwealth's population and is the majority beach hotels. The picturesque islands of Tinian and Rota are inhabited, where many hiking trips are organized. tourist routes. The uninhabited parts of the archipelago are also popular due to the opportunity to get to them in one day and practice water sports 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:

swimming in boats with a transparent bottom;
yacht cruises;
windsurfing;
jungle walks;
mountain biking through mountains and jungles;
flights and parachute jumps over the Saipan lagoon;
attending courses in 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 border the Mariana Islands. Photos of the underwater world do not leave indifferent any diver and snorkeler.

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.

Attractions of the archipelago

abundance natural conditions For unforgettable holiday complements the 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 museum expositions and memorial monuments.