Mariana Islands. Mariana Islands on the map. Mariana Islands: photo. Visa application and trip to the Northern Mariana Islands Mariana Archipelago

Northern Mariana Islands- a state in the Pacific Ocean, made up of several volcanic islands rising from the depths Pacific Ocean. Nearby is the deepest oceanic trench in the world, the Mariana Trench, which plunges eleven kilometers into the depths. In this trench, one lithospheric plate dives under another, being processed into magma, which will then pour out through volcanoes.

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The Mariana Islands were discovered by Magellan in 1521, however, despite the fact that he was greeted there very warmly, he sailed away from there very dissatisfied. The natives didn’t understand that they couldn’t take what belonged to others and they got their hands full of everything they could reach when they climbed onto the ship. And then they dragged the boat away, for which Magellan called these islands “islands of thieves”, and marked them as such on the map. The islands were not too interested in the Spanish crown, which was the ruler of this territory, in fact only nominally. Nevertheless, missionaries came here periodically, whom local population Nor did the merchants, whom they loved, even adored. And he tried to find a prettier girl, because the merchants always presented him with various useful things and children.

And everything would be fine, but they sold the islands to Germany. The Germans began to create a German order there, but quickly got bogged down in wars on the continent and there was no attention left for the islands. During the Second World War, the Japanese captured the islands and immediately began actively planting them. And even more actively, participate in the breeding program, forcibly marrying your colonists to aboriginal women. However, this violence was forced - almost all the aborigines died out from simple European diseases, so many mestizos were required, resistant to diseases.

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Mariana Islands, traditional center of tourism. People willingly spend time here honeymoon trips. It’s easy to order a banquet on Mount Medovaya, which hints at Honeymoon. Of course, river cruises are not available here, due to the absence of any significant rivers, but you can easily organize a boat rental, just pay for relaxation and increased exoticism.

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 Quiet ocean. The ridge consists of 15 islands volcanic origin, the largest of which Saipan, Thinyan And Company. However, only 14 islands belong to the Commonwealth, and the fifteenth is the 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 Southern, stretching in the ocean for almost 650 km.

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

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

The tourists here are dominated by the ubiquitous and demanding Japanese and Koreans. They really know a lot about quality service. They come here in tens of thousands every month, especially during the Japanese days. Golden week or at New Year . This is explained by the fact that from Tokyo or from Seoul before Saipan the flight is about three and a half hours. AND official language here, it seems, is English, and currency unit- dollar USA, but still at times you can’t shake the impression that these islands are almost Japanese or Korean - this is how the presence of Asian tourists is felt here. Lots of restaurants with Japanese names, they willingly accept both Japanese yen and Korean won for payment, and hotel staff willingly answer in both Korean and Japanese.

More recently the newspaper "Saipan Tribune" wrote about how one Japanese doctor named Hiroyuki Maida, who has been coming to the Saipan from Tokyo, arrived on the island for the hundredth anniversary. 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 just as much as ten years ago.

Tourists from Russia here in the overwhelming minority, although they appear here perhaps more often than other Europeans. And they are starting to like it here too. And everyone has their own reasons for this. Diving enthusiasts, for example, may be tempted by the beauty Grotto- a natural cave with underground lakes up to 15 meters deep and tunnels to open sea. Here you can also dive to the sites of World War II plane crashes in the harbor Tanapag, to the caves and breeding grounds of conger eels in the area Obyan Beach, as well as to huge coral massifs near 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 before, then Saipan Russian dive guides will teach you everything you need.

For those tourists who are far from and unfamiliar with diving, masks, snorkels and scuba gear, Marianas the islands will also be very good. This perfect place both for the relaxed and for active species recreation. There are a huge number of bicycle and walking routes. On Saipan main route - trail Laderana Tangka through the forest Marpi Commonwealth. There is a wonderful route along the banks Cummer And Taga south of San Jose on Tignane.

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

A beach holiday here is pure pleasure. One of favorite among tourists places – 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 entire beach is clean white sand, no algae or shells. You can rent sun loungers and a mask with a snorkeling tube (15USD) and swim, look at the underwater world... There are a huge number of various inhabitants of the seabed here, of all shapes and colors, and completely unafraid - many of them can easily be touched with your hands, and if you offer If they have some kind of delicacy, they will happily eat from your hands... And when you get hungry, numerous restaurants, many 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 politeness, but simply because the smile reflects their state of mind. TO characteristic features local etiquette can be attributed to an almost Japanese reluctance to refuse a guest or fear of upsetting him with his refusal. Therefore, there are often situations of complete misunderstanding, since a local resident can easily give the advice that he believes will not upset the tourist, but not the one that corresponds to reality. At the same time, a certain Asian “obsequiousness” is striking, which, however, does not go beyond the framework of the usual careful attitude towards tourists. And at the same time, in some regions, especially on the outer 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 rules are quite European, and you don’t have to worry about any difficulties in communicating with local residents.

Nature and Climate

If you ask a local resident what kind of Saipan If the weather happens, you won’t hear many and lengthy explanations. The weather is either good or very good all year round. Mostly very good. That is, it is when it is warm, regardless of the time of year +27+30 degrees in the shade. Clear skies, blue ocean and water temperature +26 degrees. A good weather differs from very good 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 vast Quiet ocean. But even these typhoons did not stop us from taking Saipan worthy place in Guinness Book of Records for the world's most stable weather and temperature.

The sun here is very hot 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 you 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 complicate swimming. Unaccustomed swimmers should be careful in the ocean surf, because even a slight wave of up to two forces generates intense rollback waves that can make it very difficult to go ashore.

Many of the shores, covered with coral rubble and volcanic rocks, are quite difficult to walk and require strong shoes. Also, special requirements for shoes 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 national currency is the US Dollar (USD). The exchange rate fluctuates in accordance with changes in the financial market.

There are 100 cents in one US dollar. In circulation there are banknotes 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 Japanese yen and Korean won are accepted for payment.

Tourist checks in 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 out on the spot. If you are going to visit small islands during your trip, we 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 bank offices on 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 They 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. Products made of gold and precious stones are subject to mandatory declaration.

Import prohibited Mariana islands of drugs, stimulants, psychotropic substances, anabolic steroids and growth hormones, amphetamines, erythropoietin, barbiturates, hallucinogens and some other medications.

The transportation of weapons is strictly regulated: firearms, pneumatic, bladed and sports weapons (including nunchucks, bows and crossbows, slingshots, switchblades and folding knives), as well as ammunition for them and parts of weapons, which requires appropriate certificates and licenses issued by the office of the General prosecutor CNMI.

Perishable foods, mangoes from the Philippines, meat and meat products, except those manufactured in the continental part USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, on Hawaii And Guam, noodles with instant meat and other “dry” food products.

The following goods are allowed to be imported duty free:
- 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 drinks (for persons over 21 years old);
- up to 1 liter of weak alcoholic drinks (for persons over 21 years old);
- up to 2 ounces (56 ml.) of perfume;

If these standards are exceeded, the owner of the alcohol must pay a fee 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 because they are not considered everyday items.

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

Transportation of animals
With rules for transporting pets and registration travel documents We recommend that you familiarize yourself with them in advance when booking and purchasing air tickets. Please note that the weight of the animal and the container for its transportation is not included in free rate baggage and is paid exclusively as excess cargo. Only guide dogs accompanying their owners on the flight are carried free of charge.

Time

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

Visas and Consular Information

From 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 must have an American B1 or B2 visa, which gives the right to multiple entries into the United States within 180 days. A visa must be obtained in advance from the US Embassy in the territory Russian Federation.

An important condition 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

Normal trading hours 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 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 bank offices on outlying islands may operate on their own schedule.

Transport

The distance 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 most acceptable way to get acquainted with Saipan is a rental car.

Aircraft
Almost all tourists arrive on Mariana islands by plane. The main and most major airports is located Saipan And Guam. Airplanes from countries arrive at this airport every day Asia And North America . Flights are carried out by airlines Japan Airlines, Continental Micronesia, Northwest Airlines And Asian Airlines.

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

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

Buses
There is no developed bus system on the islands, 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 large 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 rent a car from already well-known and reputable companies. Hertz or Avis. Any license is valid on the island and no deposit is required. The cost of rent depends on its term and, naturally, on the class of the car. The cost of gasoline is 1.9USD per gallon (4 liters).

Before you get behind the wheel, be sure to familiarize yourself with the specific driving rules adopted on the island.

Telephone codes

To call Mariana 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 the specific island, and the rest the subscriber number.

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

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

cellular
Cellular communications cover almost all the southern islands and some 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 on site Marianas The islands are relatively weakly formed, but recently some efforts have been made to develop them. Internet cafes are few in number, mostly focused on Saipan, however, almost all large hotels and business centers have their own access points, including those equipped with WiFi.

Representative offices of the Russian Federation

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

Electricity

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

Tips

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

Additional Information

The Mariana Islands use the imperial system of weights and measures.

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

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

All drinking water on the islands comes from natural sources or through rainwater harvesting and within settlements practically safe for consumption. However, it is recommended to use only 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 for consumption. Meat, seafood and fish are considered safe, but it is still recommended to consume them only after preliminary heat treatment, preferably hot. Vegetables must be thoroughly washed and pre-processed, and fruits must be peeled.

Medical care on Marianas the islands are 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 It turns out to be free, for other cases of visiting doctors you will need to pay on the spot. Cash is preferred, however some clinics accept 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 islands. However, in the surrounding waters there are many poisonous or quite aggressive sea creatures, so when swimming and diving, you should pay special attention to the bottom and thickness of the water. The dorsal ridges of many bottom-dwelling fish are poisonous, and the spines sea ​​urchins and the sharp edges of coral masses 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 taking photos local residents You should always ask their permission first.

It is customary to say hello and goodbye by holding hands.

The attitude towards clothing is quite democratic. On formal occasions, formal evening wear is required - light trousers or a long skirt and a formal shirt with medium-length sleeves will suffice, 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 suitable clothing for relaxation is a T-shirt and shorts. Beach suits are not recommended to be worn outside the coastline; too revealing bikinis may also cause disapproval.

The Mariana Islands are an archipelago of fifteen large and several small islands in the west-central Pacific Ocean. The islands form the northern part of the Western Pacific subregion of Micronesia and consist of two political and administrative entities: Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Both have the status of an unincorporated organized territory of the United States. This means that they are not part of the United States, but are their possession, and the US Constitution has limited application here. Moreover, the US Congress forms the local government.
The archipelago is divided into two chains - northern and southern, formed about 20 million years ago. The appearance of both chains above the water surface was the result of the displacement of the Pacific Plate under the Mariana Plate. Along the islands in the zone of convergence of two plates, the deepest section of the bottom of the World Ocean was formed. As of 2011, its depth is 10,994 ± 40 m below sea level.
The islands of the northern chain are represented by volcanic cones, some of which are active, up to 965 m high. In total, there are about 50 underwater volcanoes in the archipelago area; 11 stratovolcanoes form the islands. The southern chain is represented by coral and tectonic volcanoes.
The Mariana Islands are in an area of ​​tectonic activity, and earthquakes are not uncommon here. In addition, the archipelago is located in a tropical climate zone, so typhoons often pass here.
Unlike many Pacific Islands, The Mariana Islands are covered with dense tropical forests; There are also areas of savannas, the vegetation of which is represented by flowerless cryptogamous plants: ferns, horsetails.

History of discovery

Mariana Islands, located on the edge of the abyss Mariana Trench, were inhabited, presumably, no later than 1500-1400. BC e. The first inhabitants of the islands of the archipelago were immigrants who arrived from the Philippine Islands.
The islands were discovered by Europeans in the 16th century. The discoverer of the archipelago was Ferdinand Magellan himself (1480-1521), a Spanish-Portuguese navigator. During its famous - and the very first in history - trip around the world On March 6, 1521, Magellan saw a chain of islands in the ocean. It is believed that great traveler landed on the island of Guam, but it could have been a small island near Guam.
Magellan tried to start exchange and trade with the local inhabitants, who called themselves Tao-tao-tano, or “people of the earth,” and from the Europeans received the name Khachamori (Chamorro). They were typical Micronesians, and even managed to create a semblance of civilization. Its remains are preserved on the island of Tinian in the form of limestone latte columns dating back to the 9th century.
But Magellan failed to establish a dialogue with the natives: they stole a ship’s boat from the Europeans, thus provoking a serious conflict. As a result, the sailors killed seven Chamorros, returned the boat, replenished food supplies and left the island. Magellan, in memory of the tragic events, named the archipelago the Robber Islands (Islas de los Ladrones).
The Mariana Islands stretch from north to south. The island of Guam, which is a separate administrative unit, is the largest and southernmost island of the archipelago. Its area is 541.3 km 2 - 77.7 km 2 more than the total area of ​​​​the remaining land areas called the Northern Mariana Islands.
The Mariana Islands served for many years transhipment point for the Manila galleons of Spain, and in the 20th century. acquired military significance. It was from here that the bombers that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki took off.
The islands received their current name in 1667, when Spain officially claimed rights to them. In Spanish it sounded "Las Marianas", in honor of the Spanish Queen Marianna of Austria (1634-1696).
From the second half of the 17th century. The colonization of the islands began, missionaries were sent here. Local leaders prevented the spread of Catholicism, and attacks on mission members led to a war between the Spaniards and the natives, which broke out in 1672 and lasted 25 years.
In just one hundred years of colonization, most of the Chamorros died from diseases brought to the islands by the Spaniards. Those who managed to survive mixed with the Spaniards. Mestizos - descendants of mixed marriages - still live in the Mariana Islands.
For the Spaniards, the islands served as a stopover for the so-called Manila galleons, which sailed between the Mexican and Philippine islands. The islands remained Spanish colony until the Spanish-American War (1898), following which the Spaniards handed over Guam to the Americans. This year began the political separation of Guam from the other islands of the archipelago. Under the treaty of 1899, the Spaniards sold the remaining Mariana Islands to Germany, which annexed them to its protectorate of New Guinea.
In 1914, Japan occupied the Northern Mariana Islands, creating large sugar cane plantations there. Later, during the Second World War, the archipelago became the scene of fierce battles between the Japanese and Americans. 1944 was especially bloody for the islands, when the Americans lost more than 2 thousand people killed and wounded, and over 40 thousand Japanese were killed or committed hara-kiri. At first, the Japanese even managed to capture American Guam.
However, the Americans regained Guam and captured the Northern Mariana Islands, subsequently using them as an airfield for bombing Japan. Both planes with atomic bombs (Enola Gay and Boxcar), which dropped their cargo on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945, took off from the “Northern Airfield” of Tinian Island in the Mariana Islands.
After the end of the war, all of the Mariana Islands came under full US control. America did not merge them with Guam, but created a separate administrative territory, the Northern Mariana Islands, where the head of state is a US-appointed governor.
On the island of Guam, the largest of the Mariana Islands, the Americans established the largest Pacific naval and air force bases, including Andersen and Apra Harbor. They are served by the majority of the island's population. Here, on Guam, is the city of Hagatna, the main passenger and fishing port of the archipelago.
Currently, the Mariana Islands have become tourist center in the western Pacific Ocean. Actually, it was thanks to American military personnel that the Mariana Islands earned fame as one of the best resort areas in the Pacific Ocean.
The most ancient landmark of the archipelago is the preserved stone latte pillars. The origin and purpose of the pillars are unknown, there are only assumptions that they served for some mysterious religious purposes. There are about 500 of them in total, and they are often compared to stone sculptures on Easter Island.

general information

Islands: 15 large islands (Agihan, Agrihan, Alamagan, Anatahan, Asuncion, Guam, Guguan, Maug, Pagan, Rota, Saipan, Sarigan, Tinian, Farallon de Medinilla, Farallion de Pajaros) and several small islands and reefs .
Origin of the islands: tectonic, volcanic, coral.

Administrative affiliation: unincorporated organized territories of the United States.

Administrative division: Guam island, Northern Mariana Islands.

Administrative center: Hagatna (Guam Island) - 1051 people, 2010; Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) - 48,220 people, 2010

Languages: Guam island - English (official), Chamorro, Filipino languages; Northern Mariana Islands - Chamorro, English (official), Filipino languages, Chinese.

Ethnic composition: Guam Island: Chamorro - 37.1%, Filipinos - 26.3%, other Oceanians - 11.3%, whites - 6.9%, other Asians - 6.3%, other ethnic groups - 2.3%, mestizos - 9.8%, 2000; Northern Mariana Islands: Asians - 56.3%, Oceanians - 36.3%, mestizos - 4.8%, whites - 1.8%, others - 0.8%, 2000

Religions: Catholicism, local beliefs.

Currency unit: U.S. dollar.
The most important port: Hagatna (Guam island).

Major airports: international Airport them. Antonio B. Won Pata (Guam Island), Saipan International Airport. Francisco Sea Ada (Saipan Island, Northern Mariana Islands).

Numbers

Length: 2519 km.

Distance: 2500 km from the Philippine Islands, 2500 km from the island of New Guinea.
Guam Island

Area: 541.3 km2.

Population: 160,378 people. (2013).

Population density: 296.3 people/km 2 .

Urban population: 93% (2010).

125.5 km.
The most high point: Lam Lam Peak (406 m).
Northern Mariana Islands

Area: 463.6 km2.

Population: 51,170 people. (2013).

Population density: 110.4 people/km 2 .

Urban population: 91% (2010).

Length coastline: 1482 km.
Highest point: Agrikhan volcano on the island of the same name (965 m).

Climate and weather

Rainy season: July-October.

Average annual precipitation: 1800-2300 mm.
Relative humidity: 78-82%.

Frequent typhoons.

Economy

GDP: Guam ($4.6 billion, per capita - $28,700, 2010), Northern Mariana Islands ($733 million, per capita - $13,600, 2010).

Agriculture: crop production (sugar cane, bananas, coffee, cotton, taro, citrus, copra, vegetables, breadfruit), livestock farming (poultry farming, pig farming, dairy and meat farming).
Maintenance of US Air Force and Navy bases (Guam Island).
Industry: construction, food, textile.
Minerals: phosphorites, sulfur, iron and manganese ores.
Fishing (tuna).
Services: tourism, trade, financial.

Attractions

Curious facts

■ The limestone latte columns on Tinian Island are massive columns made of fossilized coral and limestone, up to 2 m wide and up to 4.5 m high, with a rounded top. Ancient Spanish sources report that funeral urns of the Chamorro people were embedded in the columns. Images of the latte column are present on the flag and coat of arms of the Northern Mariana Islands.
■ In 1899, the Spaniards sold the northern part of the Mariana Islands to Germany for 837,500 German gold marks, which is approximately $4.1 million at today's exchange rates.
■ During World War II, the island of Guam became the first American territory to be occupied by the Japanese. Japan captured the island by attacking it on December 8, 1941, the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese actually attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7th, but the date line in the Pacific must be taken into account.
■ Residents of Guam are recognized as US citizens without the right to participate in national elections. Guam has one nonvoting, two-year delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Citizens of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus need a visa to travel to the Northern Mariana Islands in 2020. Visa-free regime entry into the Northern Mariana Islands, as well as Guam and Saipan was canceled on October 3, 2019.

Mariana Trench and Everest - most people remember these names from a school geography course. The first is the deepest point on the planet, the second is the deepest high mountain. Height and depth are measured from ocean level. In absolute terms, the most deep depression overtakes highest peak by a significant margin.

The Mariana Trench on the world map should be looked for in the Pacific Ocean northeast of the Philippine archipelago (southeast of Japanese Islands), it is a semicircular trough with a length of approximately 1,500 km, directed with its convex part to the east. The deepest point of the trench is called the Challenger Deep and is 10,994 meters deep.

The Mariana Trench is named after the adjacent Mariana Islands, which stretch along the western part of the trench. The island of Guam, closest to the Challenger Deep, is located 340 km northeast of it. Coordinates of the deepest point of the world's oceans: 11°22’23.9″N, 142°35’30.1″E.

The trench is located at the junction of two tectonic plates, and its relief is a relatively flat bottom strip no wider than 5 km between two steep slopes. In some places along its length the bottom has a stepped structure and mountain ranges. The water pressure at the lowest point is approximately 108 MPa, which is 1,072 times higher than normal atmospheric pressure.

The depression was first discovered by the English sailing-steam corvette Challenger during the world's first comprehensive oceanographic expedition in 1875. The depth was then determined twice with results of 8,367 m and 8,184 m, which made it possible to call this depression the deepest on the planet. In 1951, the British scientific vessel Challenger II conducted ocean research in these places.

Using an echo sounder, a depth of 10,899 m was recorded. This point was given the name of the ship. Over the following years, new measurements were taken, the depth was adjusted several times in both directions, the last value of 10,994 m was recorded in 2011.

The difficulty of measuring depth of such scales with an echo sounder lies in the dependence of the speed of sound waves in water on its properties (density, temperature, chemical composition, impurities). These properties vary depending on the depth. To obtain accurate values, it is necessary to take water samples from different depths, analyze them and take the data into account in subsequent measurements.

For the first time, the bathyscaphe Trieste with two researchers on board (US Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh and Swiss oceanographer Jacques Piccard) sank to the bottom of the depression (10,915 m) in 1960. Then, unmanned vehicles made autonomous dives several times, and the Japanese Kaiko probe in 1995 took the first soil samples from a depth of 10,911 m.

In 2012, the famous director James Cameron dived to the bottom alone for the first time in history, staying there for a total of 6 hours. Subsequently, a 3D film about the history of this dive called “Challenge to the Abyss” was released. It's worth mentioning that famous traveler Fedor Konyukhov also announced his intention to dive to the bottom of this depression in 2020.

Fauna of the Mariana Trench

At a depth of over 1000 m, sunlight cannot penetrate; eternal darkness reigns there. Along with colossal pressure, this makes living conditions in the abyss extremely difficult. Nevertheless, the Mariana Trench is inhabited. The bottom is covered with silt, which, as the first samples taken showed, is saturated with shell organisms; huge armored amoebae (up to 10 cm in diameter) were also found here.

In addition to the simplest barophilic bacteria, crayfish, gastropods, sea cucumbers, and fish live here. Even during the first visual observations from the Trieste bathyscaphe, small fish resembling flounder were noticed. The specific conditions determine the appearance of many local fish amazing: they have huge teeth, eyes rotating in different directions (or lack thereof), instead of fins there are sharp spines.

Worms up to 2 m long, which have not yet been identified, are also found here. At such depths there are no algae, and the source of food for protozoa is the remains (detritus) falling to the bottom. Recent studies have shown that the bodies of local small crustaceans contain many heavy metals that are extremely toxic to ordinary living cells.

In general, the fauna of the Mariana Trench has been poorly studied; many scientists believe that species long extinct on Earth can be found there.

For example, the teeth of a giant shark, megalodon, were recently found. It is believed that these monsters, which weighed up to 100 tons, became extinct approximately 2 million years ago, and the age of the teeth found ranges from 11 to 24 thousand years.

The research was constantly accompanied by various mysterious stories: vague huge shadows resembling dragons appear on the monitors, a loud metallic grinding sound is heard, and once, according to the team of the German deep-sea submersible Haifish, on the monitor of the infrared camera they saw a creature clinging to the bathyscaphe with its teeth, they had to scare it off with an electric discharge.

There are 15 large islands, and there are also several small rocks and reefs. The population is about 215,000 people. The nationality of the indigenous people is Chamorro, which is also the name of their language. It is believed that the Chamorros are descendants of ancient settlers from the Philippines. Currently, there are practically no true representatives of this people left; everyone who calls themselves Chamorro is mestizos.

The nationality of the Mariana Islands is not as easy to determine as it might seem. The southernmost island, Guam, has an independent status; it is an unincorporated organized territory of the United States, that is, the island is not included in the United States, but its territory is considered American, and the islanders (more than 180,000 people) have US citizenship. The capital is the city of Hagatna, located on the west coast.

The Northern Mariana Islands constitute a separate administrative entity - the Commonwealth, the state status is completely similar to Guam (loosely associated with the USA). Main Island— Saipan, the capital is called the same.

The first Europeans to discover these lands were members of Magellan's crew, who dropped anchor here in 1521. The meeting with the aborigines ended with the disappearance of the ship's boat. An annoyed Magellan gave the archipelago the name “Islands of Thieves” (de los Ladrones, Ladrones), which existed until the beginning of the twentieth century.

The islands were immediately declared the property of Spain. A few decades later, colonialists began to come here. As often happened, the missionaries arrived first. It was they who gave the territories modern name in honor of the Spanish Queen Marianna, since then the Mariana Islands have been called that way on the map. Colonization did not go smoothly. As a result of armed clashes and prolonged repression indigenous people 200 years after Magellan’s visit, it decreased by 30 times.

In 1899, the Northern Mariana Islands were sold to Germany, and at the beginning of the First World War, the entire archipelago was occupied by Japan. In 1944, US troops landed on the island of Saipan, long bloody battles began with numerous casualties, approximately 40,000 local residents alone were killed.

The Americans equipped the island of Tinian military base, from which the bombers took off that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After the end of the war, the archipelago was for some time under the control of the UN, and in 1947 it was transferred to the custody of the United States.

US citizens do not need a visa to visit the Mariana Islands, and having an American visa in their passport serves as a pass to these territories for citizens of other countries.

The monetary currency is the US dollar.

The Mariana Islands in the western Pacific Ocean attract travelers with the beauty of a tropical paradise. A chain of 15 tiny landmass located north of the equator, bordering eastern part Philippine Sea. There are two independent state entities located on the territory of the archipelago. One of them is called the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or simply the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI), 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 surroundings and the vibrant underwater world promises exciting adventures. This part of Micronesia enjoys summer-like warmth throughout the year, with an atmosphere of warm hospitality and celebration. Tourists like to go snorkeling, diving, and surfing on the islands. Many come to bask in the whites sandy beaches. In hotels on large islands high level of service, there are golf clubs, gourmet restaurants.

Where is the archipelago, how to get there?

The Mariana Islands on the map stretch between parallels 12 and 21º, they form an arc along 145° E. w. with a total length of about 810 km. In the south, the archipelago borders on the Caroline Islands, and in the north on the In this area, the time difference with Moscow is +6 hours. To travel to the Mariana Islands, Russian citizens do not need to obtain a visa if the stay does not exceed 45 days. You can get to the archipelago by plane with one transfer 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. Vacations and hotel prices depend on the city the tourist chooses. Air transport, ferry, boats and inflatable boats operate between the islands of the archipelago.

When is the best time to go? Climate and seasons

Tours to the Mariana Islands are organized year-round, because in all parts of the archipelago summer lasts 12 months a year. The climate is determined by the favorable location of the islands between the Tropic of the North and the equator. Tourist season open all year round, but travelers should note the differences between dry and wet periods. Temperature conditions throughout the year are not very varied - +27...+29 °C (maximum +33 °C). Precipitation is about 2000 mm/year. There is a dry period, its duration is 8 months - from December to July. Then comes the wet season, which lasts until November. At this time, trade winds bring an abundance of moisture from the ocean, and the bulk of precipitation falls. In August-November there is a high probability of typhoons and storms. The water temperature on the beaches almost all year is +28...+29 °C, only in February and March it drops to +27 °C. The most comfortable months for vacation are December-March.

Government structure and population

The Northern Mariana Islands are a territory freely associated with the United States and are self-governing. Citizens are considered subjects of the United States but do not vote in national elections. The population of the island of Guam (Mariana Islands) has the same rights. Other important information for tourists about the states of the archipelago:

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

The indigenous population has preserved their language and traditions associated with land cultivation, hunting and fishing. People from other areas of Micronesia and Caroline Islands support cultural heritage their ancestors in the form of national music, dances, crafts and handicrafts.

History of Chamorro Land

Presumably in the 3rd millennium BC. e. Catamarans brought the first inhabitants of the Mariana Islands to the outskirts of the Philippine Sea from the territory of modern Indonesia. From these ancient seafarers came the Chamorro people. The name of the archipelago was given by the Spaniards in honor of the actual head of Spain, Marianna of Austria. In 1565, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi annexed the Mariana Islands to the possessions of the Spanish crown. Large-scale colonization began 100 years later and was associated with missionary activity. The population was converted to Christianity and taught to grow cereals and raise livestock.

IN late XIX 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 a coconut growing center for the Germans. Japan seized control of the islands of the archipelago in 1914, holding the territory until the US Navy and the American Army landed in 1944. From the airfield to the island. Tinian was 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 United States trusteeship over Northern Isles archipelago.

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 appeared more than 25 million years ago. In this same part of the ocean there is the most deep place in the World Ocean - the Mariana Trench with the Challenger Deep (more than 11 km). The highest active volcano in the archipelago (965 m) is located on the northern island of Agrihan. 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 nature of the large islands consists of:

• valleys covered with fertile lands;
• rainforests;
• sandy beaches sparkling in the sun.
• majestic cones of extinct volcanoes;
• picturesque underwater caves and grottoes.

The flora includes many species of heat-loving trees, shrubs and flowers. Banana, coconut palm, hibiscus and orchids grow here. Representatives of 40 species of birds live on the islands, giant crabs and lizards, whose sizes reach 1 m. Among the lush tropical vegetation on the island. Sarigan is a refuge for wild ungulates.

Tourism on the islands

On about. Saipan is home to 90% of the Commonwealth's population and is home to the majority of beach hotels. Inhabited picturesque islands Tinian and Rota, where many pedestrians are organized tourist routes. The uninhabited parts of the archipelago are also popular due to the possibility of reaching them within one day and aquatic species sports Travelers go to the islands to watch birds and dive to coral reefs. Saipan has golf courses and excursions around the area are offered. Some of the favorite entertainments of tourists include:

• sailing on boats with a transparent bottom;
• yacht cruises;
• windsurfing;
• walks in the jungle;
• mountain biking through mountains and jungles;
• air flights and parachute jumps over the Saipan lagoon;
• attending courses at golf clubs.

Diving, snorkeling and fishing

The coastal waters of the archipelago are clean and transparent. Such conditions are favorable for different forms of living beings.

Dozens of species of coelenterates form the coral reefs that fringe the Mariana Islands. Photo underwater world do not leave any diver or snorkeler indifferent.

Clownfish, tuna, barracuda, and swordfish are often found. In the ocean waters near the islands there are dolphins, whales and other sea creatures (octopuses, lobsters, sea turtles).

Sights of the archipelago

Abundance natural conditions For unforgettable holiday complemented by a developed tourism infrastructure on the large islands - Saipan, Tinyan, Rota and Guam. Popular among fans of water recreation, the coral reef and Lau Lau Beach are located on southeast coast O. Saipan. Grotto is a natural cave with lakes up to 15 m deep and underwater access to the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean. In the Mariana Islands, 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, and there are stone ceilings on top. Structures 12 m long could serve as supports for religious buildings or houses. The most famous of these artifacts, called the House of Taga, is located on the island of Tinian. The eventful history of the Mariana Islands is reflected in museum exhibitions and memorial monuments.

8 mysteries of the Mariana Islands