Where are the Mariana Islands on the map. General information about the Northern Mariana Islands
Northern Mariana Islands is a state in Pacific Ocean, from several volcanic islets rising from the depths of the 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 periodically came here, whom the local population did not like and merchants, whom they loved, even adored. And he tried to get a prettier girl, because the merchants always gave different gifts. 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 book a banquet on the “honeymoon” mountain, which hints at a 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.
Official name - Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands(Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).
Located in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. Area 477 km2, population of the Mariana Islands 80 thousand people. (2003). The official language is English. The administrative center of the Mariana Islands is the island of Saipan (over 50 thousand people, 2003). Public holiday - Commonwealth Day 8 January (1978). The monetary unit of the Mariana Islands is the US dollar.
Member of the Pacific Community (formerly UTK, since 1983).
The Mariana Islands are located between 13° and 31° north latitude and 144° and 146° east longitude on 14 islands of the Mariana archipelago, stretching 685 km from north to south. It borders on the south with Guam (the 15th island in the Mariana ridge, which turns into the deepest Mariana Trench on the planet - 10,900 m).
All islands are volcanic and mountainous. The length of the coastline is 1482 km. Northern Islands (9) are younger. Active volcanoes remain on Pagan and Agrihan (unnamed peak 965 m - highest point Micronesia). Ma-ug and Guguan - reserves wildlife, thousands of seabirds nest in the trees on the cliff tops. Sarigan is rich in tropical vegetation and home to a large colony of wild goats. The southern islands (5), including the largest (Saipan, 125 km2, Tinian, 105 km2 and Rota, 101 km2) are older. Coconut palms, heat-resistant cereals, sugar cane, etc. grow there on calcareous soils. Saipan has 6 different landscapes: from volcanic hills to wet lowlands and sandy beaches.
Natural resources: fish stocks within a 200-mile economic zone.
The climate of the Mariana Islands is tropical, even throughout the year, with an average temperature of +30°C, drier than in other places in Micronesia. The amount of precipitation is low - within 250 mm per year. Rainy season: July - November. There are typhoons at this time.
The population of the Mariana Islands is growing rapidly (3-4% per year), incl. due to immigration. The majority of the population is made up of Micronesian peoples (Chamorros, Carolinians, etc.), there are Europeans, Japanese, Chinese, Filipinos and Koreans. Chamorro (mostly oral) and Carolinian languages are common. Less than 15% of the population speaks English at home. Most Chamorrans speak a little Japanese to communicate with tourists. 97% of the adult population of the Mariana Islands is literate. Life expectancy for men is 73 years, for women - 79 years. Infant mortality 5.5 people. per 1000 newborns.
Most of the population of the Mariana Islands is concentrated on the island of Saipan; 5 other islands are inhabited.
The Catholic religion predominates, combined with adherence to traditional legends, beliefs and taboos.
In 1521, the Mariana Islands were discovered by F. Magellan. Their colonization in the 17th century. was accompanied by armed clashes between the Spaniards and the indigenous people - the Chamorros, most of whom were exterminated. They got their name in honor of Marianna of Austria - the widow Spanish king Philip IV. In 1899 Spain sold them to Germany. After World War I, under the mandate of the League of Nations, the islands came under Japanese control. In 1947, the United States received control of Mariana as one of the UN Trust Territories. Access to the islands was limited due to US military installations. Most of Tinian (from where the B-29 planes took off for the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki) is still reserved for use by the US Armed Forces. In 1972, negotiations began between representatives of the islands and the US government about the future status of the Marians. In 1975, they signed an Agreement on the creation of the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, which are “in a political union” with the United States. In 1978, after approval in a referendum, the Marian Constitution came into force, on the basis of which the first elections of the legislative and executive powers were held. In 1986, the above-mentioned Agreement also came into force. In 1990, the UN Armed Forces abolished the status of a mandated territory in relation to the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands.
The Mariana Islands are a self-governing Commonwealth "in political union" with the United States, which controls foreign relations and defense. The head of state is the President of the United States. Indigenous people has American citizenship, but does not participate in American elections. Federal funding for the Marian economy is the responsibility of the US Department of the Interior.
The country has no administrative divisions, but there are 4 municipalities ( Northern Isles, Saipan, Tinian and Rota).
Executive power is exercised by the governor (Juan N. Wabauta) and the vice-governor (Diego T. Venevente), elected by direct popular vote for 4-year terms. The next elections are in 2005. The bicameral Legislative Assembly has 9 senators (elected for 4 years) and 18 members of the House of Representatives (for 2 years). The population of the islands also elects a “permanent representative” to the United States with a residence in Washington (unlike Guam, which has its own delegate to the US House of Representatives).
Political parties: by analogy with the USA - Republican (its members are the current governor and permanent representative in Washington, 4 senators and 16 deputies of the lower house) and Democratic (3 senators and a deputy), Reform Party (senator), Agreement Party (deputy).
The Mariana Islands do not have diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation.
GDP per capita is 12.5 thousand US dollars. The main sectors of the economy are the rapidly growing clothing industry and tourism. About 50% of the workforce is employed in the tourism industry (25% of GDP), another 35% (mostly Chinese) in the clothing industry. The number of foreign workers is more than 4 times higher than the number of local workers, among whom unemployment is high - 30%.
Role Agriculture small. Coconut palm, breadfruit, vegetables and fruits are grown on small farms. Cattle are raised on the ranch. Fishing and processing of fish (mainly tuna) are of particular importance.
Length highways- about 400 km. 2 sea ports- on Saipan and Tinian. Of the 6 airports, 3 have paved runways and a helipad.
The islands are visited by 500 thousand or more foreign tourists per year (the Japanese predominate, Mariana is the closest Pacific island to them and memorable places battles of the 2nd World War).
US financial assistance is important to Marian's economy, but its share of the country's budget has declined in recent years as the local revenue base has expanded.
The main export item is clothing industry products. Food, fuel, construction materials and equipment are imported. The main partners are the USA and Japan.
The school education system includes public (primary and secondary schools) and private schools. You can continue your studies at Northern Marian College, as well as in educational institutions in the USA.
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 of 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 - main island state, located approximately 2660 km east of Manila; 2730 km north of Port Moresby ( Papua New Guinea) , 5980 km west of Honolulu (Hawaii 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 the official language here seems to be English, and the currency is the 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. Many restaurants with Japanese names 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. Runs through the islands great amount 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 to take the scenic roads anywhere on the island.
A beach holiday here is pure pleasure. One of the favorite places for tourists is the island Managaha, which is located half an hour by boat from Saipan(round-trip ticket 50USD). It's best to spend the whole day here. The island is small, quiet and cozy. The entire beach is clean white sand, no algae or shells. You can rent sun loungers and a snorkel mask (15USD) and swim and look at undersea 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 be easily touched with your hands, and if you offer them some kind of delicacy, they will happily eat from your hands... And when you get hungry The numerous restaurants themselves, 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. Characteristic features of local etiquette include an almost Japanese reluctance to refuse a guest or a 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 caring attitude towards tourists. And at the same time, in some regions, especially in remote islands, the influence of the old traditions of the indigenous people 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. Weather all year round It can be either good or very good. 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. And good weather differs from very good weather 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. For unaccustomed swimmers, you should be careful in the ocean surf, because even a slight wave of force up to two forces generates intense recoil 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
Allowed to import and export national (USD) or any other foreign cash currency, as well as checks, including traveler's, debt and securities. 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 mainland, are prohibited for import into the country. 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, and sharp objects in your luggage, as 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 the free baggage allowance 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 for entry into 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 movement. 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 largest airports are located on 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 system on the islands bus service, however, there are several routes connecting the main cities. But you can easily find a taxi at the airport and in the city, in parking lots near hotels. A number of hotels organize regular bus routes to major shopping centers and the airport.
Car rental
The most convenient way to travel around the islands is by car.
Renting a car will not be difficult for you. There are many car rental agencies on the island. It is best to 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 communications accessible from any public telephone and from most hotels and restaurants.
Payphones
You can find pay phones everywhere. They all work according to telephone cards, which are sold in 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 of 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 is provided free of charge; for other cases of visiting doctors, you will need to pay on the spot. Cash is preferred, but 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.
Northern Mariana Islands or Community of the Northern Mariana Islands is a small island state in Micronesia, in the western Pacific Ocean in the Mariana Islands archipelago. It has the status of a non-aligned territory freely associated with the United States. Territory - 477 km². The capital is Saipan on the island of the same name.
The Mariana Islands archipelago consists of 15 islands of volcanic origin, the largest of which are Saipan, Tinian and Rota. However, only 14 islands belong to the Northern Mariana Islands, and the fifteenth, Guam, the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands, is considered a separate territory belonging to the United States.
The Mariana Islands are an island arc located in a tectonically active region in the western Pacific Ocean. The archipelago is located 2,500 km east of the Philippines and the same distance north of Papua New Guinea. The islands extend approximately 800 km.
Geologically, the islands can be divided into two groups: the older southern (Rota, Tinian, Aguihan, Farallon de Medinilla, Saipan) and the young northern (the rest of the islands of the archipelago). All islands of the northern group are stratovolcanoes. Most of the islands are surrounded by coral reefs. The reefs of the southern islands are older and better developed. In the area of the islands there are about 50 underwater volcanoes and 11 volcanoes form islands.
To the east of the islands is perhaps the most famous local geographical landmark - the Mariana Trench, 11,775 meters deep.
Climate of the Northern Mariana Islands
Climate of the Northern Mariana Islands- tropical, trade wind.
The rainy season lasts from July to December, average temperature at this time +33..+35°C. From August to November, tropical storms and typhoons occur in the Pacific Ocean. The "dry" months on the islands are from December to June, due to sea breeze the average temperature at this time is +27..+29°C. Average annual temperature sea water+25°C.
Best time to visit the Northern Mariana Islands - from December to March, and the tourist season on the island of Saipan lasts all year.
Last changes: 05/10/2013Population
Population of the Northern Mariana Islands- 88.6 thousand people (2009). Average life expectancy is 74 years for men, 79 years for women.
Ethnic composition: Asians (Filipinos, Chinese, etc.) 56.3%, Oceanian peoples (including Chamorros) 36.3%, mixed origin 4.8%, whites 1.8%, other 0.8%.
The majority of believers on the islands are Catholics (Roman Catholic Christianity). Part of the population considers itself to be of East Asian origin.
Official languages: English, Chamorro, Caroline.
Last changes: 05/10/2013Currency
Currency: US dollar (USD), 1 USD = 100 cents. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars, coins - penny (1 cent), nickel (5 cents), dime (10 cents), quarter (25 cents), half dollar (50 cents), as well as 2 and 1 dollar.
Almost everywhere Japanese yen and Korean won are accepted for payment.
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.
Most hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies and diving centers on the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota accept plastic cards. ATMs can be found in bank branches and large shopping centers. On remote islands you may encounter problems when trying to pay for something with a plastic card, because often small private shops simply do not accept card payments.
Tourist checks in US dollars are accepted everywhere, and there is no need to visit a bank branch, as most hotels, restaurants and large stores cash them 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.
VAT and Tax-Free
When paying for services in hotels, a hotel tax of 10% is charged. There are no other commercial taxes, including VAT.
Last changes: 05/10/2013Communications
Telephone code: 1 - 670
Internet domain: .mp
Ambulance, police, fire service: 911
How to call
To call from Russia to the Northern Mariana Islands, you need to dial: 8 - dial tone - 10 - 1 - 670 - subscriber number.
To call from the Northern Mariana Islands to Russia, you need to dial: 011 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.
Landline communications
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. Some phones accept credit cards.
Cellular communications cover almost all the southern islands and some of the northern ones. Roaming with local networks (GSM 850/1900 standards) is available to subscribers of the largest Russian cellular companies through the networks of other operators in the region.
Internet
Internet cafes are few in number, mostly concentrated in Saipan, but almost all large hotels and business centers have their own access points, including those equipped with Wi-Fi equipment.
Last changes: 05/10/2013Where to stay
Prices for hotel accommodation on the island of Saipan are quite high, especially during the holiday season for the Japanese (the Northern Mariana Islands are visited by up to 0.5 million tourists a year, mainly from Japan). There are few cheap hotels on the islands and no hostels.
Last changes: 05/10/2013Sea and beaches
On the islands of the Southern group ( Saipan, Tinian and Rota)- beaches with fine white sand. The islands of the Northern group have beaches with black volcanic sand.
Last changes: 05/10/2013Story
The Mariana Islands were discovered by Magellan's expedition on March 6, 1521. The Chamorro aborigines, who lived at the stage of the primitive communal system, stole a boat from the Spaniards, and Magellan named these islands Las Islas de los Ladrones - that is, the Islands of Thieves or the Robber Islands.
Although these islands were declared the possession of Spain back in the 16th century, the Spaniards began to establish practical control over them only in 1668. Spanish Jesuit monks landed there, renamed the islands Marianas, “Las Islas Marianas” or “Las Marianas” in honor of Marianna of Austria, and began converting the natives to the Christian faith. This caused fierce resistance from the natives, and as a result, almost the entire male population of the islands was destroyed by the Spanish soldiers accompanying the monks. Subsequently, the population of the Mariana Islands increased again due to the offspring of aboriginal women from Spanish soldiers and monks.
The Spanish colonialists practically did not develop the islands, and at the end of the 19th century Germany became very interested in the Pacific territories. As a result, under an agreement dated February 12, 1899, Germany bought the Mariana Islands from Spain for an amount equivalent to $4.5 million (except for Guam, annexed by the United States - the largest and most south island Mariana Archipelago).
The Germans began to create plantations on the islands, but their rule was short-lived - in the First world war The Mariana Islands (like the neighboring Caroline and Marshall Islands, also purchased by Germany from Spain in 1899) were occupied by Japan, which received them as a League of Nations mandate under the Treaty of Versailles.
The Japanese actively developed sugarcane plantations on the islands, as well as coconut palms, tobacco and citrus fruits, and pursued a deliberate policy of settling the islands with the Japanese and forcibly assimilating the aborigines (including through the method of forced physical mixing of aborigines with Japanese settlers).
During World War II, American troops captured the Marianas and other Pacific islands, after the war, Japanese settlers were deported to Japan, and the Caroline, Marshall and Mariana Islands were transferred to US custody in 1947 by decision of the UN.
The Community of the Northern Mariana Islands was created in 1976 during the division of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Unlike the Marshall and Caroline Islands, the Marianas decided to abandon state independence, preferring only internal self-government.
On November 4, 1986, the final agreement on the political union of the Northern Mariana Islands with the United States came into force.
In 2007-08, changes were made to the treaty of political union between the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States, bringing the laws of the Commonwealth closer to US requirements. Including the gradual increase in the minimum wage to the levels established in the United States, the election of a delegate to the House of Representatives in the US Congress and changes in immigration laws (the latest changes came into effect on November 28, 2009).
Last changes: 05/10/2013Entertainment
Popular in the Northern Mariana Islands are: diving, snorkeling, trekking, windsurfing And golf.
Diving– Saipan’s main dive site “Grotto” (underwater access to the ocean through underwater grottoes) is unique in the world in terms of the beauty of underwater architecture. The water temperature in the coastal waters of the islands is comfortable all year round and does not change depending on the time of day. Perfect transparency allows you to see all the beauty of the underwater world.
Snorkeling– the best places for snorkeling: Saipan – Managaha Island, Tiniane – Tachona Beach, Rota – Corell Gardens in Sasanaya Bay.
Trekking– all three main islands of the archipelago are good for hiking. The main route on Saipan is the Laderana-Tangka Trail through the Marpi Commonwealth Forest. Tinian has a wonderful route along the Cammer and Taga banks south of San Jose.
Windsurfing– the best place for surfing is Micro Beach on Saipan.
Golf– several golf clubs are open on Saipan: Kingfisher Golf Links (Kingfisher Golf Club), Coral Ocean Point (Coral Ocean Point), Lao Lao Bay Golf Resort (Law Bay Golf Club), Marianas Country Club ( "Marianas Country Golf Club").
The golf courses of the island are very different from each other technically, but they are similar in one thing - beautiful views of the ocean and gorgeous tropical nature. The clubs here require the same punctuality as most clubs elsewhere in the world. All clubs require that you dress appropriately for golf. Tops and flip-flops are not allowed.
