Where is Saipan: coordinates, description and interesting facts

A fabulously beautiful place - the Marian Archipelago - is located on the western "outskirts" of the Pacific Ocean. Everyone who visited this paradise noted an unusually successful combination of exotic nature, Micronesian culture and American democracy, which together create a unique style of life and recreation where one wants to stay forever.

The Marian Archipelago

Too often this part of the Pacific falls into the Guinness Book. For example, there is the deepest depression in the world - the Mariana. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the place where Saipan is located, the largest island and the capital of the archipelago.

Until the 20th century, this area was called the Ladron Islands, which in Spanish means "land thieves". They consist of 15 fairly large islands and a few small ones that form two territories - Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, which are part of the commonwealth of the United States.

The Mariana Archipelago is an arc, the southern part of which is older (about 20 million years old), which includes Guam, Saipan, Rota, Aghiyan and Tinian. These are the remnants of the most ancient coral reefs, which not once during such a long period rose and fell to the bottom.

The northern part of the volcanic origin is also more "young", and in the archipelago area there are 50 volcanoes under water and 11 are the islands themselves.

Today, many tourists prefer to visit most of the major islands during the trip to the archipelago, ending the journey where Saipan is located. The coordinates of the island are 15 ° 11'06 "s. W. And 145 ° 44'28 "in. Etc. This tour includes Guam, Rota, Aghijan and Tinian, it is here that the most developed tourism and the most beautiful coral reefs.

History of the Archipelago

Archaeological finds indicate that where Saipan is located, people lived already in 2000 BC. E. They were descendants from the southeast of Asia, who after a while were replaced by the Chamorro tribe. They had their own social hierarchy, headed by women. Interestingly, even the colonialists did not succeed in eradicating matriarchy, although they made attempts since the 16th century and imposed their religion on the aborigines.

An interesting name - "island of thieves" - was given to Guam, whose local population had robbed one of Magellan's ships, taking advantage of the fact that the sailors were tired after a long voyage. Soon the whole archipelago began to be called.

Starting from the first half of the 16th century, the islands passed from hand to hand, which had a very detrimental effect on the local population. For example, Spanish colonization reduced the number of Chamorros from 1521 to the middle of the 18th century from 150,000 to 5,000 people. In just 2 centuries almost all the indigenous population of the Marian Archipelago was destroyed by wars and diseases.

In the late 19th century, Spain gave the part where Saipan is located to the United States of America under a peace treaty, and sold the northern part of the archipelago to Germany.

After the First World War, the islands came under the control of Japan, but were conquered by the United States in 1944. It was from here that airplanes with atomic bombs took off on board, heading for Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Since 1978, Saipan (where is located and whose territory, mentioned above) became the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands and together with Guam received the status of unincorporated organized territories of the United States.

Description of the island

This is where Saipan (the island) is located, where the Mariana Trench is located. By its eastern side, it starts descending into it. It has a mixed coral and volcanic origin, which created ideal conditions for tourism. So, its western and southern parts are chic sandy beaches with a large lagoon formed by reefs, and the eastern - steep banks. A few kilometers from them begins the Mariana Trench, whose depth is more than 11 000 m. As scientists have recently discovered, its area is 400 000 km ² , and at the bottom there are 4 mountain ranges, each of which reaches a height of 2.5 km.

On Saipan there is a low mountain of Tapochau (474 m), which, strangely enough, is not of volcanic origin, but of limestone.

Saipan is an island (Saipan in English), which suits, above all, lovers of outdoor activities. The ideal climate, which is also included in the Guinness Book due to constant daily temperature of +27 degrees all year round, creates optimal conditions for diving, trekking and snorkeling.

For example, Saipan is an island where the second largest in the world underwater cave - Grotto. This was decided by a special jury consisting of diving specialists. Not far behind it, and the island of Manyagaha, located in the lagoon of Saipan. The water area around it is recognized as the 4th best place in the world for snorkeling.

The island's lagoon also entered the Guinness Book, since it was here in 1999 that 215 people sank simultaneously.

Natural attractions

Among the attractions of the island of Saipan (the Marian Archipelago) is both natural and man-made.

The first cave mentioned above is the cave of Grotto and Manyagaha, as well as the Banzai Clif. It is a cliff located on the north side of the island. The name is not accidental, since it was with him that the Japanese, soldiers and local people who had survived the battles with the Americans, rushed to the sea.

Mount Tapochau is famous not only for the beautiful panorama of the island that opens from it, but also the statue of Jesus Christ.

Historical places of interest

Interesting for visitors to the archipelago is a visit to the botanical garden, in which you can contemplate as 2,000 species of exotic plants, as well as green iguanas and tropical lizards.

The Museum of History and Culture presents exhibits that tell about life on the island since the time of the ancient Chamorro tribe before the Second World War.

The American Memorial Park is a place not only for the memory of the American soldiers killed in the battles in these parts, but also for rest.

Here you can play tennis, go jogging, windsurfing or swimming.

Diving and fishing

The Marian Archipelago, where Saipan is located, is a paradise for divers and snorkelers. At their disposal are not only the most beautiful in the world coral reefs, but also numerous wrecks and aircraft.

Equal treasure hunters are not less interested in these places. Presented in the Museum of History and Culture gold items, although they are the world's largest collection of treasures from the sunken Spanish galleons, represent only a small part of what has been lifted from the ocean floor.

Fishermen will also not be bored. Barracuda, Korifena, long-nosed marlin, tuna weighing more than 100 kg - this is only a small part of the list of fish that make up the catch. For example, it was here that a swordfish caught on a hook, weighing about 450 kg.

Local kitchen

Gourmets should definitely come to Saipan. Here they are waiting for restaurants with Chinese, Japanese, French, American and Italian cuisine. Very popular are a variety of fish dishes, coconut soup with vegetables and broth with minced meat and tomatoes.

Meat eaters expect beef and mutton ribs with sauces for every taste. Local coconut wine should be tried in order to know what a tuba is, but you should be prepared that the fermented juice of young coconuts has a peculiar taste.