Saipan Island
The most big Island and the capital of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. White sandy beaches, tranquil, emerald lagoons and a necklace of coral reefs frame much of the island's west coast. Here you will be offered a wide choice marine species sports. Warm weather and sunshine all year round make the island a paradise for beach lovers.
Most hotels, shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs are concentrated in tourist center islands, Garapane. Here you will find the world famous Hard Rock Cafe and Duty Free shop. No further than a 5-minute walk from the gallery there are souvenir shops, car rental offices, companies offering various types of services and entertainment. The central part of the island is covered with green jungle. This is the realm wildlife, exotic flora and fauna.
Saipan was the scene of some of the most intense battles of the war in pacific ocean. Until now, both on the island itself and on the seabed, you can see the wreckage of aircraft, tanks and ships. The cliffs of Banzai Cliff, Suiside Cliff, and the "Last Command Post" exhibit are open to the public. From these historical monuments in the north of the island, the most persistent travelers can continue their adventures by following east coast islands. Here they will meet wild cliffs, limestone caves and jungle trails. Mount Tapochao overlooks the whole of Saipan and the neighboring island of Tinian.
Saipan is 23 km long and 8 km wide.
Garapan - the busiest area of Saipan, and of the entire Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Almost destroyed during the fighting of the Second World War, Garapan is now rebuilt and replete with shops, sushi bars, restaurants, karaoke clubs and other establishments that are very popular among tourists from Asia. Micro Beach, whose white sands are located near the Hyatt Regency Saipan and Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan, is considered one of the best on the island. To the north of the beach is the American Memorial Park. A zone of protection of forest and marsh birds is arranged here. The park also serves as a favorite venue for commemorative events and picnics for American soldiers killed in the US invasion of Saipan and Tinian.
The park houses the Museum of the Second World War, which displays weapons, samples of military uniforms, ammunition and other military attributes of that time, as well as many photographs.
Tinian Island
This sleepy island with a single village, just 4 km south of Saipan, has happily avoided the main influx of tourists and therefore serves good place to "escape from the blessings of civilization" if the bustle of Saipan seems too intrusive. It is hard to imagine that such a peaceful place could be involved in one of the most tragic events in history: Tinian "became famous" as the takeoff site of the Enola Gay and Box Car bombers that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
San Jose, main locality island, is the territory of the ancient Chamorro village. Its settlers created masterpieces, which today, in general, attract visitors here. The main attraction of San Jose is the House of Tag, which served as a place of large meetings and the residence of Tag the Great, the legendary leader of the ancient Chamorros.
There are several good swimming spots on Tinian, including Cummer Beach in San José and Taga Beach south of the village, featuring turquoise waters and white sand. Chulu Beach in the northwest of Tinian is the site of fierce fighting during the Second World War, here the American landing took place on the island. Archaeological excavations continue here. Tinian is also home to the region's only casino, Tinian Dynasty.
Attractions in Tinian:
- Taga Beach Park
- Tag's house
- Atomic bomb loading pits
- Suiside Cliff
- Unai Danculo
- Nord Field
- Taga well
- Blow Hole
Rota Island
The historical name "Luta", a small pearl island, lies halfway between Saipan and Guam, and is just now beginning to emerge from the shadows. big islands and develop the direction of ecological tourism. Main village, Song-song, still does without traffic lights and shopping centers but is famous for several good restaurants. Contrary to the image lost island, for tourists, conditions for recreation are created here - on the island there is a resort “Rota Resort & country club” with a first-class golf club; the Coconut Village bungalows located right by the sea, the Rota Hotel and several small hotels in Songsong.
Here you should definitely rent a car and make a trip around this Treasure Island. You can travel from Songsong on foot or by jeep to the northeast, where the coast of the island has a particularly picturesque view. Among the attractions: Tanga - a giant natural cave with bizarre limestone formations; Botanical Garden Taisa-kana, the oldest grotto-museum of Rota Cave, in which the first settlers of the island lived, Coral Garden. The north of the island will leave tourists wondering how the ancient Chamorros managed to carve giant lettie stones by hand. They can be seen in the ancient Taga Stone Quarry.
Ggeological origin
The age of the island is estimated at 42 million years. At that time, an eruption of an underwater volcano began in the area of \u200b\u200bthe deep place on Earth, the Mariana Trench. Coral reefs have formed on top of a volcanic mountain that has reached the surface of the sea. Tectonic movements slowly lifted coral reefs above the surface of the water, forming limestone terraces and shaping the modern topography of the island. Corals not only formed the land in ancient times, they continue to grow in shallow water, providing shelter for the inhabitants of our waters.
Coast
Standing on the steep cliffs of Pona and As Matmos, you can see and feel the mighty wave energy in action. If tourists are looking for soft beaches, they will like the fine white sand of the north coast at the beaches of Teteto, Tatgua or the secluded coast at Swimming Hole or the Coral Gardens of the Marine Reserve.
Forests
Rota has the largest loess massifs preserved in the Commonwealth. Some of them are protected in the Sabana Reserve. You can get to know these forests by traveling on wheels and walking along Mount Sabana, or look at the high forest canopy from observation deck Alaguan Bay. Adventures for nature lovers are down the bypass road that leads through the Paili Forest, Talahaya Grassland, past the Okgok Falls, and along the high bluffs above the Coral Gardens of the Marine Sanctuary.
Animal world
The animal world of Rota is striking in its amazing diversity. Many of its representatives are rare. The best place for seabird watching at the popular Ai Chenchon Bird Sanctuary. Here, from the observation deck, you can see one of the largest nesting colonies of seabirds in the Mariana Islands. Or, in the company of a local guide, go in search of a rare bird aga (Marian crow) or a nose (white-eyed mouth) in the Sabana Reserve. These rare birds cannot be seen anywhere else in the world in natural conditions. Here, from the observation deck of Alaguan Bay, at dawn or in the evening twilight, you can see a large and rare fanihi (Marian flying fox) hovering over the primeval forest. These rare animals have a wingspan of up to 3.5 feet (1.05 m). Historically, they have been an important part of the Chamorra culture. Fanihi are not found in Saipan, Tinian, or Guam today, and fewer than 1,000 survive on Rota.
rare plants
There are hundreds of plant species on Rota and some of them are unique. The rarest plants can be found on Mount Sabana. In the company of a local guide, you can go in search of these rare plants.
Ocean
The coastal waters of the Mariana Islands are world famous for their cleanliness and coral reefs. These reefs contain at least 240 hard and 41 soft corals. More than 1000 species of fish inhabit the waters of the Mariana Islands. There are fish of various shapes, sizes and colors. Many species of tuninos (dolphins) live in these waters, such as spinners, striped and bottlenose dolphins. We also have bayena (whales) including melonhead whales, Bridie whales, sperm whales and pilot whales. Warty whales migrate through our waters usually in February-March.
There are hundreds of species of other sea creatures in the Mariana Islands: small nudibranches, lobsters, octopuses and the giant haggan betde (green sea turtle) whose shell can reach 4 feet (1.2 m) in length. Coral Gardens Marine Reserve was established in 1994. It is the first Commonwealth maritime protection zone. Here, the diversity of marine life is protected for the benefit of the local population and tourists, as well as future generations.
Trails and paths
Already today you can travel on many trails. There are many beautiful backcountry roads of interest to mountain bikers. If tourists are interested in short hiking, we recommend trails in the Ai Chenchon Bird Sanctuary, Liyo Trail, Chugay Rock Art Cave, and Okgok Waterfall. The trail on Mount Sabana is the longest and most difficult route, but it is not finished yet. This spectacular trail system will provide long hikes under the vaults of the primeval forest and through the grassy plain of Talahaya with its breathtaking views.
Attractions in Rota:
- Tonga cave
- Twixbury Beach
- Swimming Hole
- Eastern harbor
- Japanese cannon
- Ancient quarry of latte stones
- Bird sanctuary
- Japanese locomotive
- Ancient latte settlement Mochong
- Ancient latte settlement Dugi
- german chapel
- NKK Sugar Factory
- Zoo Rota
- Teteto Beach
- As Matmos
- Peace Memorial Saban
- Songsong Viewpoint
Story
Pre-Latte era (1500 BC -1100 AD)
The ancient ancestors of the Chamorros migrated from South-East Asia Approximately 3500 years ago (approx. 1500 BC) They came under sail in small canoes, guided by the stars, sun, moon, wind and ocean currents. They brought with them pottery, the art of making ornaments from shells, tools from shells and stones. The ancient settlers settled on the coast. Periodically, they gathered in caves, where they left behind rock paintings, such as in the Chugai Rock Painting Cave. Here, with the help of a guide, you can admire the images of turtles, fish, birds and sketches of ancient war boats.
Latte era (1100 to 1521)
Approximately 900 years ago (1100 AD), the Chamorros began to use latte stones as support columns for wooden thatched houses. Latte stones can be found all over the island today. ancient settlement Mochon is one such place. People have lived here continuously for 3000 years. The largest settlements of the ancient Chamorros in the Marianas are Mochon, Gampapa and Alagan Bay, which have survived to this day. You can also walk among the massive Latte Stones of the Ancient Quarry. Here are the largest and best preserved remains of the ancient production of these stones in the Marianas.
Spanish Period (1521 – 1899)
The first Europeans arrived in the Marianas in 1521 with the expedition of Captain Ferdinand Magellan. Over the next 250 years, Spanish galleons periodically stopped at the islands of Guam and Rota. Archaeological excavations made it possible to raise from the bottom of the relics of one of these galleons - "Santa Margarita", which sank at north coast Companies during a storm in 1601
Proa (sailing catamarans):
The sailors of Magellan could observe catamarans with triangular sails. The same ships were seen by members of the British expedition that visited Rota in 1705. The ship's log recorded travelers' admiration for these fast and efficient ships.
German Period (1899 – 1914)
In 1899, Spain sold the Marianas, including Rota, to Germany. During the brief era of German rule, the production and export of coconuts (copra) was introduced. The German chapel of Santa Lordes is the only building reminiscent of this period.
Japanese Period (1914 – 1941)
Japan laid claim to the Northern Mariana Islands in 1914 and received a League of Nations mandate to govern them in 1922. By the age of 30, most of the plains of Rota had been given over to sugarcane plantations. This branch of agriculture provided a rapidly growing export. This period was characterized by the rapid development of infrastructure.Automobiles and railways girdling the island.
World War II (1941-1945)
World War II began in the Pacific Theater in 1941. By 1944, American forces had advanced across the Pacific Islands to the Marianas. Ground battles bypassed Rota, although sporadic bombardments occurred over the course of 14 months. These days, you can explore the intricate passages of the Japanese Command Post or observe a moment of silence at the Peace Memorial Park on Mount Sabana.
Tinian is one of four major islands in the Mariana Islands, along with Saipan, Guam and Rota, it is part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
The island belongs to the US, and I was lucky to be there before the dollar skyrocketed, making such trips quite problematic.
We spent only a day on the island itself, flew to see it from Saipan, where we stopped. The island has a small airport Tinian International Airport, it is used to communicate with neighboring islands, today this is the only way to get here. Previously, a ferry ran between Saipan and Tinian, but now the flights have been canceled, and only the air route remains.
Here is a small plane brought us to the island.
Only 5 people can be accommodated on board, seats are distributed depending on the weight of passengers. Before boarding, you will be weighed and given a ticket with a seat number. I was lucky, I flew next to the pilot.
Island views from heaven fascinate with their beauty.
We flew in a group, booked an excursion to the island in advance, we had two guides Vladimir and Paul. Vladimir has been living in Guam for a long time, more than 10 years, he works as a guide and says that he is happy. When asked if he is drawn to his homeland, he replies that he is not, it is so cool here! He has a family and he has long been accustomed to. Paul is an American who does not speak Russian (a great opportunity to practice spoken English). Born on the island, he has a Russian wife and two children. The guys were cool, joked a lot and showed us everything interesting places islands, accompanying the shows interesting stories. Too bad I didn't take a photo with them
The excursions were well organized and very well thought out, we saw literally all the important historical places and ended the day with a wonderful beach holiday.
After landing, we settled into three passenger cars and set off to travel along winding tropical roads.
For a long time the island belonged to Spain, then Germany, as a result of the First World War - Japan. In 1944, during World War II, the Americans captured the island. Tinian is famous all over the world due to the fact that it was from here that the bombers took off, which dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Our first stop was the runways from which these monsters took off. They were the largest at that time. The asphalt has survived from those times, in some places there are cracks and overgrown grass, a depressing, deserted place.
Next we saw two large glass sarcophagi, concrete inside, with places to store bombs. On the walls are black-and-white photographs of smiling American military personnel removing bombs from them and preparing them for launch. The first bomb was called "Fat Man", and the second "Kid".
It is amazing to look at all this, as if you are touching a living history. By the way, here, on the island, there is still an active American test site.
The tourist infrastructure is poorly developed when compared with neighboring Saipan. Only one large Dynasty hotel, which, by the way, has a functioning casino. We went here for lunch. The magnificent marble halls of the huge hotel are pleasantly cold after the hot tropics.
Vladimir says that Lately the hotel is falling into disrepair, there are fewer tourists, the ferry service has been closed, but the beaches are pristine and almost deserted. We asked if there were other hotels on the island, he replied that there were a couple of mini-motels, but only one large one.
We saw the beautiful, ancient Catholic Church of San José.
We went to interesting natural geysers, spouting powerful fountains from coral ledges. The island is of coral origin, it is simply an atoll that has protruded above the sea. Sharp, petrified corals create an interesting cosmic landscape, and the sea in the distance plays with all shades of blue, and shimmers with azure so beautifully that it cannot be expressed in any words.
The only settlement on the island is the village of San Jose. The indigenous people are the Chamorro tribes. In the very center there is the main ancient attraction - the first buildings of the settlers and the ruins of the "house of the leader", the Chamorro King Tag.
"Tag House" is a stone pillars up to 6 meters high, which served as the pillars of the house. The picture shows how it was used.
Nearby is a large accumulation of stones used for ritual purposes - "Latte Stone Site".
On a high cliff there is an interesting Suicide Cliff memorial - "Suicide Cliff", which was erected in honor of the mass suicide of the Japanese during the capture of the island by the Americans.
Women, children, old people .. many preferred to throw themselves on sharp stones rather than surrender to the enemy. This was the official Japanese propaganda of those times. Better death than the shame of surrender. Beautiful and scary place.
There is an interesting tree on the island, similar to the tree from the Avatar movie. Its sprawling branches, entwined with small, fluffy grass, hang weepingly to the ground, and a very hot little pepper grows under it. Pepper is found only in the Mariana Islands and is good to bring home as a souvenir seasoning. Sold in banks in regular stores.
The island's beaches are a different story. desert, heavenly corners for lovers or exciting and interesting places for extreme sports, they will be the way you want.
Here ideal conditions for diving, or snorkeling (swimming with a mask and tube), sport fishing and underwater sea hunting.
I was snorkeling and it felt like I was in a tropical aquarium. Past, a meter away from me, fish of unprecedented beauty swam. Vladimir, as an experienced guide, took bread with him and fed bright sea parrots, and we, like a flock of children, swam around him and went crazy with delight. As if a crazy artist painted the fish with all the colors of the rainbow. Long-nosed, black and white, blue-yellow-red, small and large with openwork fins and tufts ... I was suffocating with delight and completely exhausted.
Huge, gentle waves and gentle, White sand, which, by the way, is completely unique in the world. Its grains, like small snowflakes, have a unique angularity when viewed closer. "Star sand" is found only here!
Coastline carved by limestone caves, there you can find ancient Chamorro petroglyphs, but, unfortunately, we did not manage to see them, the day ended, and we, tired, happy as children, returned to Saipan.
in front of you detailed map Tiniana with the names of cities and towns in Russian. Move the map by holding it with the left mouse button. You can move around the map by clicking on one of the four arrows in the upper left corner. You can change the scale using the scale on the right side of the map or by turning the mouse wheel.
What country is Tinian in?
Tinian is located in the Northern Mariana Islands. It's wonderful a nice place with its own history and traditions. Tinian coordinates: north latitude and east longitude (show on a large map).
virtual walk
The figurine of a "little man" above the scale will help to make virtual walk through the cities of Tinian. By pressing and holding the left mouse button, drag it to any place on the map and you will go for a walk, while inscriptions with the approximate address of the area will appear in the upper left corner. Choose the direction of movement by clicking on the arrows in the center of the screen. The "Satellite" option at the top left allows you to see the relief image of the surface. In the "Map" mode, you will get the opportunity to get acquainted in detail with highways Tinian and the main attractions.
Located in the southern part of the Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean, 4.5 km southwest of and 163 southwest of.
Tinian Island is of coral origin and is a raised atoll. The basis of the relief of the island is formed by terraces measuring 20 by 9 km. Highest point the island reaches 170 m. The area of the island is 102 km² (the third largest island of the Mariana Islands).
The coastline of Tinian in southern and central parts quite steep and indented, but replete with cozy small bays with tiny beaches, and in the north it is more canopy, but has almost no protection from the impact ocean waves reefs. There are few coral reefs, however, they are clean. warm waters The coastal area is ideal for snorkeling, and the strait between Tinian and Agihan Island is excellent for scuba diving and sport fishing.
This sleepy island with a single village of San José has happily escaped the main influx of tourists and therefore serves as a good escape from the "benefits of civilization" if the hustle and bustle of Saipan, for example, seems too intrusive.
Population
In 2000, the population of Tinian was about 2,000 people, which is 5% of the total population of the Northern Mariana Islands. Approximately 75% local residents makes up the country's indigenous people, the Chamorros, and the Carolinians (immigrants from the Caroline Islands). Tinian is also inhabited by Asians and Europeans.
Last changes: 29.08.2011Story
Tinian Island was inhabited about 4000 years ago. The indigenous inhabitants of the island are the Chamorros. The island has preserved ancient stone pillars, very similar, for example, to Nan Madol (Micronesia), the megaliths of Palau or the moai of Easter Island. The total weight of these structures exceeds a ton, and the height is about 6 m.
The European discoverer of the island was the Spaniard, Catholic missionary Diego Luis de Sanvitores (Spanish: Diego Luis de Sanvitores), who discovered Tinian in 1669. At the end of the 17th century, the Mariana Islands became the possession of Spain.
On February 12, 1899, they were sold by Spain to Germany. Since 1907, Tinian has been part of German New Guinea, reporting to the District Officer of the Caroline Islands.
On October 14, 1914, the Marianas were occupied by the Japanese. In 1920, a League of Nations mandate was established over the islands, Japan was in control. During this period, agriculture actively developed on Tinian, especially the cultivation of sugar cane.
In 1944, the island was captured by American troops, who soon deployed a military aviation base on Tinian. In August 1945, bombers launched from the American airbase on the island, dropping atomic bombs on Japan.
Last changes: 29.08.2011Beaches and attractions
San José, the main population center of the island, grew out of an ancient village of the Chamorro people. It is the buildings of the first settlers that are its main attractions.
Tag's house served as the venue for large gatherings and the residence of Thag the Great, the legendary king ancient state Chamorro. Around the ruins of this building is Latte Stone Site- the largest accumulation of ritual stones of the ancient peoples of the sea in the Mariana Islands.
Nearby, just 800 meters south of San José, lies beautiful beach Taga Beach with turquoise waters and white sand, protected from the sea by a tiny island, and from the north, between Taga Beach and Chonya Beach, there is The Dynasty casino complex, which includes a luxury hotel, several shops and restaurants.
Directly within the boundaries of San Jose, between Taga Beach and the port, is located the second popular beach area is Cummer Beach, as well as the Catholic Church of San Jose (1956) with a rather original city bell tower (most of all, it looks like a lonely lighthouse).
Chulu Beach (Unai Chulu) on the northwestern coast of Tinian, is the site of fierce fighting during the Second World War, where the landing of American troops on the island took place, so massive archaeological excavations continue here.
Located in the southeast of the island Suicide Cliff Historical Memorial- from the coastal cliffs towering here, after the occupation of the island by the Americans, thousands of Japanese soldiers and members of their families rushed into the sea. Nearby you can see a Shinto shrine - the only intact shrine of this religion in the Marianas.
Also noteworthy Korea Memorial Park in honor of the Korean workers who died on the island.
And on the northeast coast of Tinian stretches Unai Dankulu Beach, better known as Long Beach as it is the longest beach on the island. In the bluff above the edge of this secluded stretch of coastline, there are several caves containing ancient Chamorro wall paintings.
