Where are the Mariana Islands on the map. Northern Mariana Islands

The Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, a state in Micronesia - the western part of the Pacific Ocean, occupies most of the islands of the Mariana archipelago (14 of the 15 islands. The 15th island of the chain is Guam, a US overseas territory).
The islands form two chains - northern and southern, stretching almost strictly from north to south for 736 km (460 miles). Most of the islands of the northern chain - rising above the water - volcanic cones (up to 965 m high), some of which are still active. Southern chain - coral and volcanic islands. The largest islands are Saipan (120 sq. km), Tinian and Rota, the smallest is Farallon de Medinilla, with an area of about 0.5 sq. km. km.
The northernmost (uninhabited) island of the archipelago, Mogue, was ranked first in National Geographic magazine's "Best Wildlife Destination" ranking.
The Mariana Islands mark the dividing line between the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. To the east of the archipelago lies the Mariana Trench, which reaches a depth of 11,775 m.
The total area of the Northern Mariana Islands is 480 sq. km.

The administrative center is the island of Saipan

Time: Time, relative to Moscow: ahead of Moscow by 6 hours in summer and by 7 hours - in winter.

Nature: Most of the islands of the northern chain are actually volcanic cones rising above the water (up to 965 m high), some of which are still active. Southern chain - coral and volcanic islands. The largest islands are Saipan (120 sq. km), Tinian and Rota, the smallest is Farallon de Medinilla, with an area of less than half a square kilometer. The Mariana Islands mark the dividing line between the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. To the east of the chain of islands lies the world's deepest Mariana Trench, up to 11,775 meters deep.

Climate: Tropical, trade wind. Typhoons are frequent and tend to pass over the islands between August and December. Precipitation falls 1800-2000 mm. per year, the rainy season is from July to October. The best time to visit the Northern Mariana Islands is during the dry months of December to March.

Political system: The head of state and executive power is the governor, elected by the people. The Legislative Assembly consists of two chambers: the Senate (9 members) and the House of Representatives (18 deputies), which are re-elected every two years.

Population: The population is about 45.4 thousand people (1993), mainly Chamorro Micronesians, as well as immigrants from the Caroline Islands and the Philippines.

Language: English (official), Chamorro and Caroline are also widely used, Japanese and Korean are spoken in most hotels and some shops.

Religion: Roman Catholic Christianity, local religions and cults.

Economy: The basis of the economy of the Northern Mariana Islands is foreign tourism (233,300 tourists in 1988, mainly from Japan) and agriculture. Heat-resistant cereals, coconut palms, sugar cane, breadfruit, coffee, bananas, tomatoes, cotton, citrus fruits are grown on the islands; breed cattle, pigs, goats; catch and process fish (mainly tuna). There are deposits of phosphorites, sulfur, iron and manganese ores. The export of the islands is agricultural products.
The main foreign trade partners are Japan and the USA.

Currency: U.S. dollar.

Main attractions: The Northern Mariana Islands is often referred to as "America's Best Surviving Mystery", referring to its relatively untouched nature, abundance of historical sites (especially those associated with the "Battle of the Pacific" period in World War II) and easy access to the islands from both Southeast Asia. and from America. Coral reefs, sea fishing, surfing and excellent conditions for passive recreation attract more than 240 thousand tourists a year to these tiny islands.

The island of Saipan for some guests can turn into a nightmare for a package holiday, as it is literally crowded with tourists from Japan, moving in "organized columns" and constantly clicking the shutters of their cameras, the recreation infrastructure is relatively poorly developed here and is more focused on lovers of an active lifestyle, than a spoiled "shop tourist", but this island is still famous for its charm - turquoise waters, white sands and excellent conditions for diving, swimming, snorkeling and hiking are still abundant here. Saipan is the most popular destination for "historical tourism" among the citizens of the Japanese islands. In the recent past, this has enabled the island to achieve the fastest growth rate in Micronesia in terms of tourism and population growth, with new golf courses being built and numerous resorts sprouting up around the island. Tourists and foreign workers now outnumber the natives, and the island has lost many of its Micronesian character. However, Saipan still has everything that attracts tourists - beautiful beaches on the western and southern coasts, many scenic spots on the rugged and rocky eastern coast, hilly hinterland and majestic cliffs on the northern coast. The island itself has 23 km. long and 8 km. in width.

Garapan, the largest city in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, is the fastest growing city in the region. Virtually destroyed during the fighting of the Second World War and relocated in the 1960s, Garapan has now been completely restored and is completely built up with sushi bars, karaoke clubs and other establishments that are clearly aimed at tourists from Japan. The white sands and turquoise waters of the city beach Micro are considered the most beautiful on the islands. North of the beach, the American Memorial Park stretches along the coast, which protects the habitat of forest and wading birds, and also serves as a favorite place for picnics and commemorative events dedicated to the memory of American soldiers who died during the US invasion of Saipan and Tinian. Also here is the Museum of the Second World War with an exposition of weapons, uniforms, ammunition, photographs and other military attributes of that time. Tinian is this sleepy island with a single village, just 2 km away. south of Saipan, has "happily" escaped the main influx of tourists and therefore serves as a good place to "escape from the blessings of civilization" if the hustle and bustle of Saipan seems too intrusive. It's hard to imagine that such a peaceful place could be involved in one of the most tragic events in history: Tinian "became famous" as the runway for the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. San Jose, the main population center of the island, is the site of an ancient Chamorro village. Those early settlers created the finest facilities that today are the main attraction for visitors. The main attraction of San Jose is the House of Tag, which served as a place of large meetings and the residence of Tag the Great, the legendary king of the ancient Chamorro state.

There are several good swimming spots on Tinian, including Cummer Beach in San José and Taga Beach south of the village, which have turquoise waters and white sand. Chulu Beach, on the northwest coast of Tinian, is the site of fierce fighting during World War II, where American troops landed on the island, so massive archaeological excavations continue here. Rota Island lies halfway between Saipan and Guam, and is only now beginning to "come out of the shadows" of the larger islands, it is still a slowly developing place with little recreational infrastructure. The main village, Songsong, still does without traffic lights or shopping malls. Situated on the southwestern coast of Roth, Songsong extends over a narrow peninsula that rises only at its tip to the foot of Mount Taipingo (210 m). The village is literally "saturated" with various stones, which serve both to strengthen the foundations of houses and to mark "streets" and as moorings and fences. The local Franciscan Church of Borgia boasts a centennial bell. You can travel from Songsong on foot or by jeep to the northeast, where the island's shores have a particularly scenic view, or visit the white coral sands of Twixberry Beach or climb to the top of Mount Taipingo for superb views of the village, harbor and Sasanaya Bay. The Northern Mariana Islands is an excellent place for an active holiday. On Saipan, the most interesting place is Grotto (Grotto), a natural cave with underground lakes up to 15 meters deep and tunnels to the open sea. You can dive to WWII plane crash sites at Tanapag Harbor, caves and conger eel breeding sites at Obyan Beach, and huge coral masses just offshore at the Saipan Grand Hotel. The best place for snorkeling in Saipan is Managaha Island, on Tinian - Tachona Beach, and on Rota - Corell Gardens in Sasanaya Bay. All three islands have good conditions for hiking. In Saipan, the main route is the Laderan Tangka trail through the Marpi Commonwealth Forest. There is an excellent route along the banks of Cummer and Taga south of San José on Tinian. Other recreational activities include windsurfing, which is extremely popular here (the best place is Micro Beach on Saipan), tennis, golf and short underwater excursions in the lagoon between Saipan and the Managaha Islands, where you can see on the bottom of the sea, in addition to its many inhabitants, traces of the wrecks of Japanese ships or American "Superfortresses" B-29. Most villages hold annual celebrations in honor of their patron saint, which are the biggest events of the year. Rota and Tinian each hold one such "festival", while Saipan has six: in San Vicente in early April, in San Antonio in mid-June, at Mount Carmel Cathedral in Chalan Kanoa in mid-July, in San Rock in mid-August, Tanapag in early October and Koblerville in late October. The Tinian Festival takes place during the last weekend in April or the first weekend in May in honor of Saint José, the island's patron saint. The biggest and most popular celebration in the Northern Mariana Islands, however, is the Rota festival on the first or second weekend in October. The celebration hosted by the Franciscan Church of Borgia includes a lavish banquet featuring only traditional food and drink from the Chamorro people, religious processions, music and dance festivals.

Most events and festivals are still held in Saipan. Popular events are the half marathon and the 10 km offshore race at the end of January. The Kintetsu Buffaloes, a professional baseball team from Japan, trains and competes here in the spring, training and playing with local teams (at a fairly serious level) during the first two weeks of February. The annual Micronesian Open and Saipan Lagoon Regattas are international windsurfing competitions, as well as Hobie Cat competitions, held in the Micro Beach area in mid-February. World-class athletes swim, cycle and run nearly 80 kilometers during the Tagaman Triathlon held in mid-May. The week-long Liberation Day Festival celebrates the liberation of the islands on July 4th, the Independence Day of the United States. The festivities include theatrical performances, a beauty pageant, a full night of varied entertainment, sports games and numerous banquets. The fishing tournament takes place in August, during the marlin season. Each island also hosts various fishing competitions, on Rota it's Labor Day for the weekend in early September, and on Tinian the Fishing Prize in early November.

Historical outline: Since the 17th century, the Mariana Islands have been a colony of Spain. In 1898 Spain sold the islands to Germany. In 1914, Japan captured the Mariana Islands, and in 1945 the Americans came here. After World War II, the Mariana Islands were part of Micronesia, a territory administered by the United States. In the 1970s, Micronesia was divided into four political-administrative units. One of these units was the Mariana Islands without its southern part (Guam Islands). In 1975, the inhabitants of the islands voted for the status of "freely attached" territory to the United States. In 1976, a free association agreement was signed between the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States. On November 3, 1986, this agreement entered into force, which meant the emergence of a new state - the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

National domain:.MP

Entry rules: All visitors require visas valid for up to three months and proof of no immigration intent. To obtain a visa, you must provide two completed questionnaires, two photographs, a passport valid for at least 6 months, as well as evidence of the absence of immigration intentions (certificate from work about salary, certificate of real estate, etc.). Formally, an invitation is not required to obtain a visa. The consular fee is $45, in addition, you need to pay the cost of a visa ($20 - one-time). The term of registration - from a couple of days ("express") to one and a half months - depends on the documents provided and the appointment of an interview. The received visa is not a guarantee of entry into the territory of the United States and the Mariana Islands. Russian citizens are registered when passing through passport control. The immigration authorities at the first point of entry into the country put down on the insert the appropriate notes on the date of entry, the permitted period of stay in the country, the date of departure and the category of visa.

Customs regulations: Import and export of national and foreign currency is not limited. Any amount can be imported in cash, traveler's checks and payment cards. Only amounts over $10,000 are required to be declared. When importing gold, a declaration is required. Items for personal use are not subject to duty; perishable food, weapons, and drugs are prohibited for import into the country.

Mariana Islands- A group of islands located in the western Pacific Ocean, in Micronesia. Includes 15 large islands (Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian, etc.).

The climate is tropical. The average temperature in January is +23+26°С, in July - +27°С. The islands are located in the belt of Pacific typhoons, which usually pass here from August to December. The wettest months are July-October, the dry season is from December to May. Precipitation falls 1800-2100 mm.

Story

Ferdinand Magellan circumnavigated South America and entered the Pacific Ocean. The hardest part of the journey lay before him. Although he didn't know it, he was about to cross the largest ocean in the world at the widest point! In the winter of 1520-1521, in four months, he swam 11 thousand kilometers in the open ocean. Supplies ran low and the crew had to boil the leather belts. Finally, Magellan's fleet reached the islands, located about 1900 kilometers south of Japan.

On the islands, Magellan replenished food supplies, but he was angry with the theft of the natives. Those, having seen the things of the Europeans, could not resist, so Magellan called the islands Ladrones, that is, the islands of Thieves.

In 1667 a group of missionaries was sent to the same islands. They were sent by the Queen of Spain, who at that time was regent for her young son. The queen's name was Mariana; upon reaching the islands, the missionaries renamed them after the queen. Since then, the islands have been called the Marianas.

In 1898, after the Spanish-American War, Spain ceded to the United States the island on which Magellan landed - Guam, the largest and southernmost island in the entire Mariana Archipelago. Spain sold the rest of the islands to Germany the following year. After World War I, defeated Germany ceded its possessions to Japan, and after World War II, defeated Japan ceded the islands to the United States.

South of the Mariana Islands is an archipelago of almost a thousand tiny islands scattered across the vast Pacific Ocean. The Portuguese were the first to discover them, but in 1686 the islands were annexed to Spain by the Spanish navigator Francisco Lazeano. He named the Caroline Islands in honor of Charles II of Spain. Charles II was the son of that very Queen Mariana. He grew up, although he was mentally retarded. The Caroline Islands also went to Germany, then to Japan, and then to the United States.

Attractions of the Mariana Islands

Saipan Island part of the Mariana archipelago. In 1521, during the first trip around the world, the island was discovered by Fernando Magellan. At first, the island belonged to the Spanish colonizers. Then in the 19th century, the islands were ceded to Germany, which brought hired Japanese to Saipan for agricultural work. Soon the Japanese colonized the Pacific, including Saipan. Today Saipan is under the protectorate of the United States of America.

There are plenty of attractions on the island and its environs: Suisad cliff, Saint Lourdas, banzai cliff, bird island, Last command post, Calabera cave.

Saipan is the most visited island in the entire archipelago. The most interesting place in Saipan -

Grotto, a natural cave with underground lakes up to 15 meters deep. Grotto is a natural limestone cave with an underwater exit to the sapphire waters of the Pacific Ocean. Three underwater tunnels connect the cave with the open sea. The cave looks like the gaping mouth of a large whale. Underwater cave Grotto in the north of Saipan is declared by scuba diving experts (for diving) the second place in the world in terms of its beauty.

Banzai Cliff located on top of Mount Marpi in the north of Saipan. From a height of 249 m above sea level, from the cliff offers an amazing view of the plateau at the foot and the ocean. At the end of the battle for Saipan, in order not to be captured by the Americans, Japanese soldiers and the local Japanese population committed mass suicide here. People, jumping on the rocks in the boiling sea, shouted "Banzai", paying last respects to the emperor and imperial Japan. Today, a Buddhist statue and a memorial have been erected on this site in memory of the dead.

Top of Mount Tapochao is the highest point on the island. Its height is 473 m above sea level. The mountain occupies a dominant position in the center of the island. From Tapochao opens a circular panorama. From here you can see the whole island at once and feel its beauty. At the top is a statue of Jesus Christ looking down at the island. The top of the mountain is a great shooting point for photographers.

Chamoli village located in the Garapan shopping center area. Built according to the rules of the ancient Chamorra and Caroline villages, this village introduces tourists to the local life and arts. Guests can try coconut peeling, banana stamping, coconut oil production and local sweets, as well as make their own Saipan beads, weave a tropical wreath, hat or basket. For men, there is also something to do here - trim a real canoe and even try it in the lagoon of the island. Here you can also watch a Chamolin dance show, enjoy a barbecue and play local traditional games on the beach.

Bird Island got its name because of the sea birds that build their nests here. From the observation deck of this reserve, a charming view of a small bay with a sandy beach, a habitat for the white sea swallow, kingfisher and sea turtles opens up.

American Memorial Park was opened in 1994 in honor of 3,000 American soldiers who died fighting for Saipan and Tinian during World War II. But this is not only a memorial complex. The park has also become a venue for island holidays and outdoor activities. Here you can swim, surf, softball, run and tennis.

Saipan Botanical Garden covers an area of 30,000 m 2 It contains about 2,000 species of tropical plants - from fruits to rare exotic flowers. Here, while visiting, you can taste coconut, papaya, mango, avocado, guava, star apple, citrus fruits. Flower lovers will be inspired by the plants and trees that bloom all year round. One of the attractions of the garden are green iguanas and tropical lizards.

Sanctuary of Our Lady. Legend claims that this place was revealed to a German priest in a divine vision during the Spanish rule. Later, Christians who came here to pray erected a statue of Our Lady. Next to the open-air altar is Saipan's only fresh water spring, called "Holy Water of Our Lady". The indigenous people believe in the miraculous healing properties of the water from this spring. During the Second World War, this place was the only one that escaped the bombing.

Cuisine of the Mariana Islands

The cuisine of the Mariana Islands combines French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese and Thai culinary traditions.

The locals' favorite drink is coconut wine. tuba".

Among the national dishes it is worth noting: all kinds of cakes; fried bananas; "lemai" - small slices of breadfruit fried in oil; all kinds of legumes; various salads; pies (especially good options with shellfish and shrimp); pancakes stuffed with meat and seafood; rolls.

The hallmark of the cuisine of the Mariana Islands are sauces and seasonings that can change the taste of any product beyond recognition.

Sauce " kelagen"- a mixture of well-chopped coconut with vinegar, palm oil, various spices and other ingredients. Meat with this sauce is baked, stewed, grilled or barbecued.

Many local dishes are not complete without sauce " finadeni"- a mixture of soy sauce, green onions, lemon juice and red pepper. This sauce is especially good in combination with soups and rice. In it, cooks marinate beef, poultry and pork, which are then roasted over a fire.

Simple but very hearty soups deserve special attention: "sutang-hu" - a hearty soup made from poultry and rice; "atolin-mais" - a thick stew; "chalakilis" - a soup made from poultry, onions, cloves, rice and coconut milk.

As for meat dishes, they are quite traditional, and mouth-watering sauces give them a local flavor. Popular dishes are: fried beef or lamb ribs; " haole"- fried beef; baked chicken; venison with sauce; pork chops with young taro leaves and many other colorful dishes.

A lot on the local table and different seafood. Be sure to try such dishes as: "la-jo" - mussels with beans; white fish in vinegar; "capricorn-fish"; the favorite dish of the islanders "a la Chamorro" - spicy fish; pies with oysters and shrimps; shark fins.

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 Mariana Islands.

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 like in 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 is an 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 crafts Bojobo mascot crafts Bojobo seed crafts Shell and coral jewelery Traditional wood crafts Traditional bone crafts Coconut leaf wicker crafts Traditional bead crafts Pictures Medicinal noni fruit products 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 Saipan, Tinian and Rota for "Best Diving Area"

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

The 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.

The Mariana Islands share the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. This is a classic island arc of the Pacific Ring of Fire zone, formed by active subduction (subduction of the edge of a relatively thin oceanic crust under the base of a thick continental-type crust) of tectonic plates. To the south and east of the chain of islands lies the world's deepest Mariana Trench, up to 11,775 meters deep (according to other sources - 11,022 meters), which is precisely the visible expression of the plate collision zone. In geological terms, the Marianas are part of a chain of underwater volcanoes known as the Izu-Bonin-Mariana arc, consisting of almost fifty underwater active volcanoes and 11 old volcanic peaks, whose peaks form the islands of the group.

The northern group of islands (Faralion de Pajaros (Huracas), Asuncion, Pagan, Sarigan and others) is geologically young - most of these islands formed over the past 5 million years and continue to grow today. The young cones of these islands are high and still active - volcanic eruptions and earthquakes of magnitude up to 7 on the Richter scale are not uncommon. The steep slopes of the volcanoes run down to the almost reef-free waters of the surrounding ocean, forming typical volcanic landscapes with numerous lava fields and tongues. Vegetation and fauna are scarce, and there are also few natural sources of water (the exception is quite numerous fumaroles and mini-geysers, which annually throw thousands of tons of highly mineralized water into the ocean).

The southern chain of islands (Saipan, Tinian, Agrihan, Rota, etc.) are older volcanic formations, whose age reaches 42 million years. They are also based on the tops of underwater volcanoes that fell asleep many millions of years ago. Here is the highest point of the country - the volcano Agrihan, or Agrigan (965 m). Over the subsequent time, the underwater slopes of the once formidable volcanoes were actively "developed" by corals, multi-meter strata of which, raised by tectonic processes above sea level, formed the surface part of the islands of the southern group. Today, almost all the islands of the southern chain are powerful massifs of coral limestone lying on a volcanic base. Numerous coastal terraces and high cliffs mark the level of the ocean at different stages of island formation, and the coasts are mostly lined with young coral reefs that form marginal lagoons.

The natural vegetation of the islands is not rich. The main plant is the coconut palm. Copra and palm oil were the most important export commodity and the main source of income for many islanders. Coconut provides food and drinks (besides coconut milk itself, even flowers are used, ropes are twisted from palm fiber, wood is used for building materials, branches for weaving baskets and mats, and charcoal is made from husks of nuts and cake). Equally important is the fire tree (Brachychiton acerifolius), brought from other islands of Oceania (however, recently its role has been more decorative), as well as the coleus (Coleus), caladium (Caladium) and philodendron (Araceae). But various fruit species, introduced by man, grow here in large quantities.

The only endemic mammals on the islands are fruit bats, although they have almost disappeared due to the popularity of their meat in the cuisine of the local Chamorro people. Sambar deer can also be found on Rota, and skinks and geckos live almost everywhere. But the bird community is quite diverse - about 70 species of birds are found in the Mariana Islands, including the gray-throated fantail (Rhipidura dahli), honeyeater (Meliphaga), Australian tern (Sterna nereis) and the endangered salangana (Collocalia). And the waters around the islands are literally teeming with marine life.

In fact, few people know anything about the island of Guam in the distant sea-ocean ... Guam is the largest and southernmost island in the Marine Islands! We don’t know much about the Mariana Islands either ... My story is about the myths and reality of this corner of the Earth!

Myth I . Mariana Islands - a white spot on the world map

"White Spot" is a 3-hour flight from Tokyo or Manila, a 4-hour flight from Seoul. The Mariana Islands are located in Micronesia and conditionally separate the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. That is, the seventeen islands of the Mariana Archipelago are washed by the waters of the ocean on one side, and the sea on the other.

Myth II. The Mariana Islands are named after the Mariana Trench

Exactly the opposite. The depression is called Mariana, because it is located relatively close to the Mariana Islands. From Guam - the largest and southernmost island of the Mariana Ridge - to the depression is only 300 km.

The islands were discovered during his round-the-world trip by Magellan. This happened in 1521. Fernand called the islands of Thieves, because the locals liked the things on the ship so much that they were not too lazy to steal them.

But already in 1568 the islands were renamed in honor of the Spanish Queen Maria Anna of Austria (wife of King Philip IV).

Myth III. Primitive tribes live on the Mariana Islands

Marian tribes with a matriarchal way of life were described in their chronicles by Jesuit missionaries, who formed their first settlement in 1568. In 1565 Guam became a Spanish colony. In the course of numerous wars and upheavals, Japanese, Spanish and American threads were woven into the history of Guam.

Today, Guam is the most important air hub in Micronesia, an island of two American military bases and an extremely popular resort, which is visited by more than 1 million tourists annually. The aforementioned institutions are serviced by the indigenous population, including lawyers, hotel managers, and doctors. By the way, the Department of Marine Biology at the University of Guam trains some of the best specialists in this field of knowledge.

Myth IV. There are many dangerous animals in the Marianas

A tree snake can be attributed to the dangerous creatures of God. It is dangerous for birds - because it feeds on eggs that it finds in nests. Snakes live in the jungle, are afraid of all kinds of noise and are never the first to attack. In tourist places, where there is a hubbub and enthusiastic exclamations, snakes are not found.

Myth V. Marianas prone to frequent typhoons

There are two seasons in the tropics, the rainy season and the windy season. The first lasts 4 months - from June to September. Typhoons are possible during this time. But the last strong typhoon passed over Guam in 2000. By the way, in the entire history of meteorological observations on Guam, not a single person died during a typhoon.

In recent years, due to global warming, air masses have been gathering into a tropical storm not only at the equator, but also in the tropics themselves.

For example, in September 2009, several tropical storms formed near the Mariana Islands, “twisted” into typhoons: one went to Samoa, the second to Japan. A tropical storm, by the way, is a downpour with gusts of wind. It does an excellent job of washing cars and glass, it should be noted.

The remaining 8 months of the year in Guam are the windy season. A beautiful sea breeze, a wind that drives white clouds across the sky. Of course, it rains from time to time and during the windy season, but they are short-lived. And most often it rains from just one cloud: there are clouds all around, a blue sky, the sun - and a rainbow under one small cloud!