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, an overseas territory of the United States).
The islands form two chains - northern and southern, stretching almost strictly from north to south for 736 km (460 miles). Most of the islands in the northern chain are 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 about 0.5 sq. km. km.
The northernmost (uninhabited) island of the archipelago, Mogue, was ranked first in the National Geographic magazine's "Best Wildlife Destination" ranking.
Mariana Islands mark the dividing line between the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. To the east of the archipelago lies Mariana Trench, the depth of which reaches 11,775 m.
total area The Northern Mariana Islands is 480 sq. km.

Administrative center - Saipan island

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

Nature: Most of the islands in 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 island chain 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 is 1800-2000 mm. per year, rainy season - from July to October. Best time to visit the Northern Mariana Islands - during the dry months from December to March.

Political system: The head of state and executive power is the governor, elected by the population. 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 Micronesians-Chamorros, as well as people from the Caroline Islands and the Philippines.

Language: English (official), Chamorro and Caroline dialects are also widely spoken, 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 (233.3 thousand tourists in 1988, mainly from Japan) and agriculture. Heat-resistant cereals, coconut palms, sugar cane, breadfruit, coffee, bananas, tomatoes, cotton, and citrus fruits are grown on the islands; raise cattle, pigs, goats; They catch and process fish (mainly tuna). There are deposits of phosphorites, sulfur, iron and manganese ores. The islands' exports consist of agricultural products.
The main foreign trade partners are Japan and the USA.

Currency: U.S. dollar.

Main attractions: The Northern Mariana Islands are often called "America's Best Keeping Secret", implying that the nature, abundance and historical places(especially those associated with the period of the "Battle of Pacific Ocean"in the Second World War) and the ease of accessibility of the islands both from the territory South-East Asia, and from America. Coral reefs, sea fishing, surfing and excellent conditions for passive recreation attract people to these tiny islands more than 240 thousand tourists per year.

For some guests, the island of Saipan can turn into a nightmare when vacationing on a package deal, since it is literally overcrowded with tourists from Japan, moving in “organized columns” and constantly clicking the shutters of their cameras; the recreation infrastructure here is relatively poorly developed and is aimed more at lovers of an active lifestyle, than the pampered "shop tourist", but this island is still famous for its charm - there are still plenty of turquoise waters, white sands and excellent conditions for diving, swimming, snorkeling and hiking. Saipan is the most popular place"historical tourism" among citizens Japanese Islands. In the recent past, this has allowed the island to achieve some of the fastest growth rates in Micronesia in terms of tourism development and population growth, with the construction of new golf courses and numerous resorts appeared around the island. Tourists and foreign workers now outnumber the natives, and the island has lost much of its Micronesian character. However, Saipan still has everything that attracts tourists here - beautiful beaches on the western and southern coasts, a bunch of scenic spots on the rugged and rocky east coast, the hilly hinterland and majestic cliffs on the north coast. The island itself has 23 km. in length and 8 km. in width.

Garapan, the most Big city in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, is the fastest growing city in the region. Almost destroyed during the fighting of World War II and resettled 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 Micro city beach are considered the most beautiful on the islands. Just north of the beach, American Memorial Park stretches along the coast, protecting the habitat of forest and wading birds, and also serves as a favorite place for picnics and memorial events dedicated to the memory of American soldiers killed in the US invasion of Saipan and Tinian. Also located here is the Museum of the Second World War with an exhibition of weapons, uniforms, ammunition, photographs and other military attributes of that time. Tinian is a sleepy island with a single village just 2 km away. south of Saipan, it has "luckily" escaped the main influx of tourists and therefore serves as a good place for "escape from civilization" if the bustle of Saipan seems too intrusive. It is difficult to imagine that such a peaceful place could be involved in one of the most tragic events in history: Tinian became famous as runway for the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. San Jose, main locality islands, is the territory of an ancient Chamorro village. Those early settlers created the finest facilities that are largely what attract visitors to the area today. The main attraction of San Jose is the Taga House, which served as a place of large gatherings and the residence of Taga the Great, the legendary king. ancient state Chamorro.

There are several on Tinian good places for swimming, including Cummer Beach in San Jose 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 just beginning to emerge from the shadows of the larger islands; it is still a slowly developing destination with little recreational infrastructure. The main village, Songsong, still has no traffic lights or shopping centers. Located on southwest coast Rota, Songsong stretches along a narrow peninsula, which only at the tip rises to the foot of Mount Taipingo (210 m.). The village is literally “saturated” with a variety of stones, which serve to strengthen the foundations of houses and to mark “streets” and as piers and fences. The local Franciscan Church of Borgia is proud of its hundred-year-old bell. You can travel from Songsong by foot or jeep to the northeast, where the island's shores are particularly scenic, 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 are an excellent place for active holidays. Saipan has the most interesting place- Grotto (Grotto), a natural cave with underground lakes up to 15 meters deep and tunnels to the open sea. You can dive to WWII crash sites in Tanapag Harbor, caves and conger eel breeding grounds at Obian Beach, and huge coral formations just offshore at the Saipan Grand Hotel. The best place for snorkeling on Saipan is Managaha Island, on Tinian - Tachona Beach, and on Rota - Corell Gardens in Sasanaya Bay. All three islands have good conditions for hiking. On Saipan, the main route is the Laderana Tangka Trail through the Marpi Commonwealth Forest. There is a wonderful route along the banks of the Cammer and Taga south of San Jose on Tinian. Other recreational options include windsurfing, which is extremely popular here, ( the best place- 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 B-29 “Superfortresses”. 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, in Mount Carmel Cathedral in Chalan Canoa 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 of April or the first weekend of May in honor of Saint José, the island's patron saint. The largest and most popular festival in the Northern Mariana Islands, however, is the Rota Festival on the first or second weekend of October. The celebration, held by the Franciscan Church of Borgia, includes a luxurious banquet, which features only traditional food and drinks of the Chamorro people, religious processions, music and dance festivals.

Most events and festivals are still held in Saipan. Popular events include the half marathon and 10 km sea race, held at the end of January. The Kintetsu Buffaloes, a professional baseball team from Japan, hold training camps and competitions here in the spring, training and playing with local teams (and at a fairly serious level) during the first two weeks of February. The annual Micronesian Open and Saipan Lagoon Regatta are international windsurfing competitions, as well as the Hobie Cat competition, held in the Micro Beach area in mid-February. Athletes international class swim, bike 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, US Independence Day. The festivities include pageants, a beauty pageant, a night of varied entertainment, sports games and numerous banquets. The fishing tournament takes place in August during marlin season. Each island also hosts a different fishing competition, with Rota having Labor Day on a weekend in early September and Tinian having the Fishing Prize in early November.

Historical sketch: 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 under US administration. In the 1970s, Micronesia was divided into four political-administrative units. One of these units was the Mariana Islands without its southern part (the islands of Guam). In 1975, the islanders voted to become a "freely affiliated" territory of the United States. In 1976, an agreement on free association between the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States was signed. On November 3, 1986, this agreement came 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 forms, two photographs, a passport valid for at least 6 months, as well as evidence of the absence of immigration intentions (certificate of 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 the visa ($20 - one-time). The processing time - from a couple of days ("express") to one and a half months - depends on the documents provided and the appointment of the interview. The visa you receive does not guarantee entry into the United States and the Mariana Islands. Russian citizens are registered during passport control. Immigration authorities at the first point of entry into the country will stamp the date of entry, permitted period of stay in the country, date of departure and visa category on the travel voucher insert.

Customs regulations: The import and export of national and foreign currency is not limited. You can import any amounts in cash, traveler's checks and payment cards. Only amounts over $10,000 are required to be declared. When importing gold, declaration is required. Personal items are not subject to duty; perishable foods, weapons, and drugs are prohibited for import into the country.

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

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

Story

Ferdinand Magellan passed South America and went out into the Pacific Ocean. The most difficult part of the journey lay before him. Although he didn’t know it, he had to cross the largest ocean in the world at the widest place! In the winter of 1520-1521, in four months he sailed 11 thousand kilometers in open ocean. Supplies ran low and the team had to boil leather belts. Finally, Magellan's fleet reached the islands located approximately 1,900 kilometers south of Japan.

On the islands, Magellan replenished food supplies, but he was angered by the theft of the natives. Those, seeing the things of the Europeans, could not resist, so Magellan named 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; Having reached the islands, the missionaries renamed them in honor of the queen. Since then the islands have been called Mariana.

In 1898, after the Spanish-American War, Spain ceded to the United States the island on which Magellan had landed - Guam, the largest and southernmost island in the entire Mariana archipelago. The following year, Spain sold the remaining islands to Germany. After World War I, defeated Germany gave 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 consisting 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 same Queen Mariana. He grew up, although he was mentally retarded. Caroline Islands also went to Germany, then to Japan, and then to the United States.

Sights 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 colonialists. 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 surroundings: Suisad cliff, Saint Lourdas, Banzai cliff, Bird Island , Last command post, Calabera cave.

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

Grotto, a natural cave with underground lakes up to 15 meters deep. The Grotto is a natural limestone cave with an underwater exit into 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. The Grotto underwater cave in the north of Saipan is declared by scuba diving specialists to be the second place in the world for its beauty.

Banzai Cliff located on top of Mount Marpi in northern Saipan. From a height of 249 m above sea level, the cliff offers an amazing view of the plateau at the foot and the ocean. At the end of the Battle of Saipan, to avoid being captured by the Americans, Japanese soldiers and the local Japanese population committed mass suicide there. People, jumping onto the rocks into the boiling sea, shouted “Banzai”, paying their last respects to the emperor and imperial Japan. Today, a Buddhist statue and memorial have been erected on this site in memory of those who died.

Top of Mount Tapochao- the highest point of the island. Its height is 473 m above sea level. The mountain occupies a dominant position in the center of the island. Tapochao offers a 360-degree panorama. From here you can see the entire island at once and feel its beauty. At the top there is a statue of Jesus Christ looking down onto the island. The top of the mountain is an excellent shooting point for photographers.

Chamoli village located in the area shopping center Garapan. Built according to the rules of ancient Chamorran and Caroline villages, this village introduces tourists to local life and arts. Guests can try peeling coconuts, painting with banana stamps, making coconut oil and local sweets, as well as making Saipan beads, weaving a tropical wreath, hat or basket. There is also something for men here - to trim a real canoe and even try it in the island's lagoon. Here you can watch a Chamolin dance show, enjoy a barbecue and play local traditional games on the beach.

Bird Island got its name because of the seabirds that build their nests here. Co observation deck this reserve offers a charming view of a small bay with sandy beach, home to the white sea swallow, kingfisher and sea turtles.

American Memorial Park was opened in 1994 to honor the 3,000 American soldiers who died in the battles of Saipan and Tinian during World War II. But this is not only a memorial complex. The park also became the venue for island festivals and active rest. Activities include swimming, surfing, softball, running and tennis.

Saipan Botanical Garden occupies an area of 30,000 m2. It presents about 2,000 species of tropical plants - from fruits to rare exotic flowers. Here, during your visit, you can try coconut, papaya, mango, avocado, guava, star apple, and citrus fruits. Flower lovers will be inspired by the blooming all year round plants and trees. One of the garden's attractions 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. Near the altar under open air there is the only spring of fresh water on Saipan, called the “holy water of Our Lady”. Indigenous people believe in the miraculous healing properties of the water from this spring. During World War II, this place was the only one that escaped 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 flatbreads; 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 with meat and seafood fillings; 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-ground coconut with vinegar, palm oil, various spices and other ingredients. Meat in this sauce is baked, stewed, fried on coals or barbecued.

Many local dishes cannot do 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 fried over a fire.

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

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

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

What is interesting to see in the Mariana Islands?

Saipan Island, 23 km. in length and 8 km. in width - the largest among the Mariana Islands and is administrative center Commonwealth. Saipan amazes with its beauty and attracts tourists all year round 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 o. Saipan can be reached by flying through Seoul, South Korea, or Tokyo, Japan. There are daily flights from both countries to the Mariana Islands.

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

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

5 hour flight from China - Shanghai (regular charters 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?

traffic: Traffic is on the right side, cars are left-hand drive. The traffic rules are the same as in Russia with small exceptions, for example, at a red light you can turn right, allowing cars from the opposite lane turning left to pass.

Road traffic and rules are very simple. There are no huge traffic jams here like in big cities. Top speed 35 mph, some larger roads 40-45 mph. To rent a car, the age limit is 21 years or older.

Traffic Laws:

Wear a seat belt (fine starts at $50.00)

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

When there is a stop signal (STOP) on a school bus, you must stop

Driving into oncoming traffic is prohibited

Parking on blue (with handicapped sign) 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, low beams must be turned on (18:30)

When a police officer stops your car, do not get out of the car. You need to open the window.

Driving while intoxicated is strictly prohibited.

car rental: Car brands

Toyota, Ford, Nissan, KIA

Documentation

It is enough to have your 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. If the agreement is violated, the amount for gasoline will be charged in triple amount.

Some car rental offices ask you to pay for gas in advance.

Insurance

Each car rental office offers several types of insurance.

It is not necessary to insure the car. You can refuse insurance, but in this case you must leave your credit card information.

Taxi: Taxis in Saipan can only be caught in hotel parking lots. Taxi services, although metered, are expensive.

buses: Saipan, Tinian and Rota do not have a public transport 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 Mariana Islands, but it is not a common practice.

airports: There are international/local airports on each island: Saipan, Rota and Tinian. The main airport of the Mariana Islands is international Airport on o. Saipan.

airlines: Asiana Airline (OZ)

Delta Airlines (DL)

Shanghai Airline (FM)

Continental Airline (CO)

Freedom Air (FRE)

railway: There are no railways in the Mariana Islands.

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 when traveling to the Mariana Islands?

Climate in the Mariana Islands

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

The dry season occurs 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, and droughts are possible.

Between July and November, tropical storms and typhoons are possible in the Pacific Ocean. They mainly originate in the Mariana Islands and move north, gaining strength off the coast of the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Korea or Japan.

National cuisine of the Mariana Islands

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

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

Tourist safety in the Mariana Islands

History of the Mariana Islands

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

Mariana Islands: souvenirs

Coconut products Bojobo talisman dolls Products made from Bojobo tree seeds Jewelry made from shells and corals Traditional wood products Traditional bone products Wicker products from coconut palm leaves Traditional bead products Paintings Medicinal products from Noni fruit Noni ...

Mariana Islands: fun facts

The world's deepest trench, the Mariana Trench, which is more than 11,000 meters deep, is located east of the island of Saipan.

Guinness Book Records:

Temperature: The Mariana Islands have the most stable temperature in the world at +27 C.

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

Managaha Island Lagoon took first place as “Best place for snorkeling.”

Managaha shared fourth place 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”.

The underwater cave “Grotto” is considered the second most beautiful place in the world among diving specialists. Skin Diver magazine named this place one of the top ten places for scuba diving.

For four years in a row, Managaha Island has been awarded 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, off Cape Agingan in the Saipan Strait, not far from the PIC Hotel, the galley “Nuestra Señora de la Conception” with a cargo of gold crashed. 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 banana tree trimmings. He cut and wrapped leaves, cut dies and rollers from trunks. Then he created unique paintings with his unusual instruments. Douglas Rankin died in 2007.

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

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

Southern chain of islands (Saipan, Tinian, Agrihan, Rota, etc.) - 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 most high point country - Agrikhan volcano, or Agrigan (965 m). Over the subsequent time, the underwater slopes of the once formidable volcanoes were actively “developed” by corals, the multi-meter thicknesses of which, raised by tectonic processes above sea level, formed the above-water 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 sea level at various stages of island formation, and the shores are mostly framed by young coral reefs that form marginal lagoons.

The natural vegetation of the islands is sparse. The main plant is the coconut palm. Copra and palm oil were the most important export goods and the main source of income for many islanders. The coconut provides food and drinks (in addition to coconut milk itself, even flowers are used, ropes are made from palm fiber, wood is used for building materials, branches are used to weave baskets and mats, and charcoal is made from nut husks and cake). No less important is the fire tree (Brachychiton acerifolius), brought from other islands of Oceania (however, recently its role has been more decorative), as well as coleus (Coleus), caladium (Caladium) and philodendron (Araceae). But various fruit species brought by humans grow here in huge 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 are found almost everywhere. But the bird community is quite diverse - the Mariana Islands are home to about 70 species of birds, including the grey-throated fantail (Rhipidura dahli), honeyeater (Meliphaga), Australian tern (Sterna nereis) and the endangered swiftlet (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 Marin Islands chain! We also don’t know much about the Mariana Islands... My story is about the myths and reality of this corner of the Earth!

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

"White Spot" is located 3 hours flight from Tokyo or Manila, 4 hours flight from Seoul. The Mariana Islands are located in Micronesia and roughly separate the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. That is, the seventeen islands of the Mariana archipelago are washed by 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 trench is named Mariana because it is located relatively close to the Mariana Islands. From Guam, the largest and southernmost island of the Mariana chain, the depression is only 300 km away.

The islands were discovered by Magellan during his trip around the world. This happened in 1521. Fernand called the islands Thieves, because. local residents They 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

The 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, the island of Guam became a colony of Spain. During 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, the island of two American military bases and extremely popular resort, which is visited annually by more than 1 million tourists. Servicing the above-mentioned institutes is carried out by indigenous people, among whom are 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 Mariana Islands

One of God's dangerous creatures is the tree snake. It is dangerous for birds because it feeds on eggs that it finds in nests. Snakes live in the jungle, are afraid of all noises and are never the first to attack. IN tourist places Where there is hubbub and exclamations of delight, there are no snakes.

Myth V. The Mariana Islands are 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 at this time. But the last strong typhoon passed over Guam in 2000. By the way, in the entire history of meteorological observations in Guam, not a single person died during a typhoon.

IN last years Due to global warming, air masses gather into a tropical storm not only at the equator, but also in the tropics themselves.

Let’s say that in September 2009, several tropical storms formed near the Mariana Islands and “twisted” into typhoons: one went to Samoa, the second to Japan. A tropical storm, by the way, is a downpour with gusty winds. It copes well with washing cars and glass, it should be noted.

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