Northern Mariana Islands. Map

Mariana Islands share 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, Mariana is part of a chain of submarine volcanoes known as the Izu-Bonin-Mariana arc, consisting of almost fifty submarine volcanoes. 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).

The southern chain of islands (Saipan, Tinian, Agrihan, Rota, etc.) are older volcanic formations, whose age reaches 42 million years. They are also based on the tops of underwater volcanoes that fell asleep many millions of years ago. Here is the 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.

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- 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, it’s 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. 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 the 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 is an ideal place for both the relaxed and the 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 with you driver license to travel around 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. TO characteristic features local etiquette can be attributed to an almost Japanese reluctance to refuse a guest or the 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 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 V 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

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 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
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the rules for transporting pets and issuing travel documents for 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

Since October 3, 2019, it has been canceled for citizens of the Russian Federation. visa-free entry to the Mariana Islands. 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 of transportation. There are no railways at all. Apart from taxis, there is no public transport. 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 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. All of them 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 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 It turns out to be free, 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 needles of 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 photographing 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 or 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 archipelago is located in the very west of the Pacific Ocean, in almost fabulous Micronesia. Amazing nature And beach holiday in American style with a touch of civilized exoticism - everything about the Mariana Archipelago: map, photos, weather and tours.

• Tours for May Worldwide
• Last minute tours Worldwide

The Mariana Archipelago is the offspring of American democracy. These islands have had no luck with their owners all their lives. Either Spain will take them for itself, then Germany, then Japan. As a result, President George W. Bush, “beloved” by many US residents, united the Northern Mariana Islands with Guam, and the Mariana archipelago thus became the “Stars and Stripes” territory.

The Mariana Islands are another place on earth that is vying for the title of paradise. Once you get here, you realize that the best thing in the world is doing nothing. On one side of this archipelago is the Pacific Ocean, on the other, the Philippine Sea has crept up. Here you can jump from island to island and quickly “sing away” your summer.

Time difference from Moscow

7 o'clock

• with Kaliningrad

• with Samara

• with Yekaterinburg

• with Omsk

• with Krasnoyarsk

• with Irkutsk

• with Yakutsk

• with Vladivostok

• from Severo-Kurilsk

• with Kamchatka

How to get there

There are two important points in this archipelago - Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. There are no direct round trip flights from Russia. You can fly to Guam with a connection in Tokyo or Seoul, or take a charter through Manila. It will take you about 16 hours to do everything.

You will spend approximately the same time when flying to Saipan - via Shanghai, Tokyo or Seoul.

Search for flights to the Mariana Archipelago

Visa

From October 1, 2019, citizens of the Russian Federation will need a visa to visit the Mariana Archipelago, which must be obtained in advance. In addition, do not forget about a medical insurance policy for the entire duration of the trip.

• Is it possible to go to the Mariana Islands if the period of deportation from the USA has not expired?
• What documents are needed to travel with a child to the Mariana Islands?

Hotels

In the Northern Mariana Islands best hotels located in Saipan. Here a good choice three- and four-star hotels. Accommodation rates start from $90 per night.

In Guam, the center of luxury hotels, shops and restaurants is located in Tumon Bay. International hotel chains operate here - Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and many others. Most often, near the bay you can find luxury hotels that take huge chunks of cleanest beaches. Cheaper rooms are located a little further inland from the coastline.

Currency of the Mariana Archipelago

The country's currency is the US dollar (USD), 1 dollar has 100 cents. Current rate: 1 USD = 75.12 RUB.

Transport

In the Northern Mariana Islands, the most convenient form of transport is by plane. An indispensable means of transportation given the remoteness of the islands. There is no railway, and public transport is poorly developed. It is best to rent a car or use the tourist buses that stop at hotels, shops and restaurants.

On Guam from public transport take it easy. 15 people work here bus routes. Buses run every day except Sundays at intervals of 30 minutes. True, drivers will not go anywhere after 7 pm. The trip costs a dollar. Day ticket - $3.

Open-top buses also ply around the island - they are best suited for excursions so that you can examine and photograph the sights in detail.

Beaches

There are several beaches in the archipelago that attract the most tourists. One of the cleanest and most beautiful is Micro Beach. For lovers of snorkeling, Lao Lao Bay is suitable, and for fans of outdoor food, Ladair Beach is a popular spot for picnics. And Paupaw Beach offers playgrounds for exercise.

In principle, anyone can choose a beach to their liking. It is not necessary to go to an area crowded with tourists - within a few minutes you will definitely find a secluded corner where no one will disturb you. The archipelago has enough wild beaches. However, when swimming, you should take into account the strength of the rolling waves, and also watch out for the coral rubble that scratches your bare legs.

Cuisine and restaurants

The cuisine of the Mariana Archipelago is a bizarre mixture of traditions from many countries. This is not surprising given the history of the territory. Each owner left behind a trace of food.

The cuisine incorporates recipes from China, France, Italy, the USA and Japan. Cafes and restaurants serve traditional meat dishes with spicy sauces - fried lamb and beef ribs. Cooks prepare simple soups from poultry meat with corn, rice, potatoes and spinach. Coconut soup with vegetables and curry, as well as broth with tomatoes and minced meat are popular.

Naturally, no self-respecting establishment can do without fish dishes: fish fried over charcoal, boiled, smoked or baked with all kinds of vegetables, served with sauce, mussels, beans or ordinary noodles.

They also make coconut wine tuba on the archipelago - this is the naturally fermented juice of a young coconut with a very specific taste.

Shopping and shops

The Mariana archipelago is a whole heap of souvenirs that tourists buy in tons. This is what vacationers most often take home: souvenirs made from shells and coconuts, hats and bags made from the leaves of tropical plants, textiles and paintings, products made from agate, coral and pearls.

Each store has its own work schedule, but none of them will open their doors on Sunday - they are resting. The exception is large shopping centers who do not want to lose profits.

The archipelago has many duty-free shops selling products from global brands - from Chanel and Louis Vuitton to Gucci and Rolex. Prices here are an order of magnitude lower than in the USA itself.

Payment in stores is in American dollars or credit cards, although cards may not be accepted at remote islands. There are commercial banks on the larger islands if you need to cash a check. When going to a small island, it is best to take plenty of cash with you.

3 things to do in the Mariana Archipelago

1. Mastering snorkeling is a type of swimming with fins and a breathing tube. With such equipment you can spend a lot of time in the ocean, exploring the underwater world. Snorkeling is a favorite pastime of locals. Adults and children do it. They will teach you too.
2. Attend the Micronesian Arts and Crafts Fair, an event held annually in Guam. Representatives of exotic countries like Nauru, Kiribati and Belau flock here. The highlight of the program is the dance and song festival. The fair is visited by approximately 20 thousand people.
3. Save the Guam rail is an endangered species of native bird, otherwise known as a ko-ko. In her honor, the Ko-Ko Road Half Marathon is held every year. People gather and run 20 kilometers, drawing attention to the problem of the disappearance of the bird. You will have to run along beaches and villages, so beautiful landscape ensured during the rescue operation.

Entertainment and attractions of the Mariana Archipelago

Some of the most interesting attractions in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Chamorro Street

This street is located in Guam. Local residents gather here every evening, play, sing, dance, cook delicious dishes and sell souvenirs. Chamorro is the name of the island's aborigines. Their history, among other things, can be studied from the ancient Latte stones - the columns on which dwellings were built.

Fort Apugan

Fort Alugan is located near the capital of Guam. Here in 1944 there were battles between the armies of Japan and the United States. Hundreds of soldiers are buried in a large meadow, and at the bottom of the sea lie the remains of a German cruiser and Japanese ships. Divers love to go here in search of interesting finds.

Diving

The Mariana Archipelago is a kind of transit point for divers who then go to Fiji, Yap, Truk, Palau. Guam has good places for diving. For example, near Fort Alugan. Or the famous Kingdom of Black Corals - a large deep-sea reef with a sheer wall going 100 meters deep.

Trekking

For lovers hiking the best place to go is the Northern Mariana Islands. The main islands - Saipan, Tinian and Rota - are good for walking. One of the main routes is the Laderana-Tangka trail, which leads through the Marpi Commonwealth forest.

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 value, the deepest 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 the Japanese Islands); it is a semicircular trench approximately 1,500 km long, 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 deepest point world ocean: 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 ridges. 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 autonomous dives were made several times unmanned vehicles, and the Japanese Kaiko probe in 1995 took the first soil samples from a depth of 10911 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 make the appearance of many local fish striking: they have huge teeth, eyes rotating in different directions (or lack thereof), and sharp spines instead of fins.

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.

Overall fauna Mariana Trench 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: unclear 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 "Hayfish", 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, 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. Most south 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 their modern name in honor of the Spanish Queen Marianna, and 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, dropping atomic bombs to 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, but American visa in the passport serves as a pass to these territories for citizens of other countries.

The monetary currency is the US dollar.

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!

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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).

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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. The services of the above-mentioned institutions are carried out by the indigenous population, 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. There are no snakes in tourist places where there is hubbub and cheers.

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. A beautiful sea breeze, a wind that blows 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!

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