Mariana Archipelago. Myths of the Mariana Islands Visa to the Northern Mariana Islands

Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, a state in Micronesia - western part Pacific Ocean occupies most of the islands Mariana Archipelago(14 of 15 islands. The 15th island in the chain is Guam, a US overseas territory).
The islands form two chains - northern and southern, stretching almost strictly from north to south for 736 km (460 miles). Most of the islands in the northern chain are volcanic cones rising above the water (up to 965 m high), some of which are still active. Southern chain - coral and volcanic islands. The largest islands are Saipan (120 sq. km), Tinian and Rota, the smallest is Farallon de Medinilla, with an area of about 0.5 sq. km. km.
The northernmost (uninhabited) island of the archipelago, Mogue, took first place in the ranking of National Geographic magazine in the category of "Best Destination wildlife".
The Mariana Islands mark the dividing line between the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. To the east of the archipelago lies the Mariana Trench, whose depth reaches 11,775 m.
The total area of the Northern Mariana Islands is 480 square meters. km.

Administrative center - Saipan island

Time: Time relative to Moscow: 6 hours ahead of Moscow summer time and at 7 o'clock - in winter.

Nature: Most of the islands in the northern chain are actually volcanic cones rising above the water (up to 965 m high), some of which are still active. Southern chain - coral and volcanic islands. The largest islands are Saipan (120 sq. km), Tinian and Rota, the smallest is Farallon de Medinilla, with an area of less than half square kilometer. The Mariana Islands mark the dividing line between the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. To the east of the island chain lies the world's deepest Mariana Trench, up to 11,775 meters deep.

Climate: Tropical, trade wind. Typhoons are frequent and tend to pass over the islands between August and December. Precipitation is 1800-2000 mm. per year, rainy season - from July to October. Best time to visit the Northern Mariana Islands - during the dry months from December to March.

Political system: The head of state and executive power is the governor, elected by the population. The Legislative Assembly consists of two chambers: the Senate (9 members) and the House of Representatives (18 deputies), which are re-elected every two years.

Population: The population is about 45.4 thousand people (1993), mainly Micronesians-Chamorros, as well as people from the Caroline Islands and the Philippines.

Language: English (official), Chamorro and Caroline dialects are also widely spoken, Japanese and Korean are spoken in most hotels and some shops.

Religion: Roman Catholic Christianity, local religions and cults.

Economy: The basis of the economy of the Northern Mariana Islands is foreign tourism (233.3 thousand tourists in 1988, mainly from Japan) and agriculture. Heat-resistant cereals, coconut palms, sugar cane, breadfruit, coffee, bananas, tomatoes, cotton, and citrus fruits are grown on the islands; raise cattle, pigs, goats; They catch and process fish (mainly tuna). There are deposits of phosphorites, sulfur, iron and manganese ores. The islands' exports consist of agricultural products.
The main foreign trade partners are Japan and the USA.

Currency: U.S. dollar.

Main attractions: The Northern Mariana Islands are often called "America's Best Keeping Secret", implying that the nature, abundance, historical places(especially associated with the period of the "Battle of the Pacific" in World War II) and the ease of accessibility of the islands both from the territory South-East Asia, and from America. Coral reefs, sea fishing, surfing and excellent conditions for passive recreation attract more than 240 thousand tourists a year to these tiny islands.

For some guests, the island of Saipan can turn into a nightmare when vacationing on a package deal, since it is literally overcrowded with tourists from Japan, moving in “organized columns” and constantly clicking the shutters of their cameras; the recreation infrastructure here is relatively poorly developed and is aimed more at lovers of an active lifestyle, than the pampered "shop tourist", but the island still boasts plenty of charm - still boasting turquoise waters, white sands and excellent diving, swimming, snorkeling and hiking. Saipan is the most popular place"historical tourism" among citizens of the Japanese islands. In the recent past, this has allowed the island to achieve the fastest rate of tourism and population growth in Micronesia, with the construction of new golf courses and numerous resorts springing up around the island. Tourists and foreign workers now outnumber the natives, and the island has lost much of its Micronesian character. However, Saipan still has everything that attracts tourists here - beautiful beaches on the western and southern coasts, a wealth of scenic beauty on the rugged and rocky eastern shore, a rolling hinterland and majestic cliffs on the northern coast. The island itself has 23 km. in length and 8 km. in width.

Garapan, the most Big city in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, is the fastest growing city in the region. Almost destroyed during the fighting of World War II and resettled in the 1960s, Garapan has now been completely restored and is completely built up with sushi bars, karaoke clubs and other establishments that are clearly aimed at tourists from Japan. The white sands and turquoise waters of Micro city beach are considered the most beautiful on the islands. Just north of the beach, American Memorial Park stretches along the coast, protecting the habitat of forest and wading birds, and also serves as a favorite place for picnics and memorial events dedicated to the memory of American soldiers killed in the US invasion of Saipan and Tinian. Also located here is the Museum of the Second World War with an exhibition of weapons, uniforms, ammunition, photographs and other military attributes of that time. Tinian is a sleepy island with a single village just 2 km away. south of Saipan, it has "luckily" escaped the main influx of tourists and therefore serves as a good place for "escape from civilization" if the bustle of Saipan seems too intrusive. It is difficult to imagine that such a peaceful place could be involved in one of the most tragic events in history: Tinian became famous as runway for the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. San Jose, main locality islands, is the territory of an ancient Chamorro village. Those early settlers created the finest facilities that are largely what attract visitors to the area today. The main attraction of San Jose is the Taga House, which served as a place of large meetings and the residence of Taga the Great, the legendary king of the ancient Chamorro state.

There are several on Tinian good places for swimming, including Cummer Beach in San Jose and Taga Beach south of the village, which have turquoise waters and white sand. Chulu Beach on the northwest coast of Tinian is the site of fierce fighting during World War II, where American troops landed on the island, so massive archaeological excavations continue here. Rota Island lies halfway between Saipan and Guam, and is only now beginning to “come out of the shadows” big islands, it is still a slowly developing place with poor recreational infrastructure. The main village, Songsong, still has no traffic lights or shopping centers. Situated on the southwestern coast of Rota, Songsong extends along a narrow peninsula, which only at its tip rises to the foot of Mount Taipingo (210 m.). The village is literally “saturated” with a variety of stones, which serve to strengthen the foundations of houses and to mark “streets” and as piers and fences. The local Franciscan Church of Borgia is proud of its hundred-year-old bell. You can travel from Songsong by foot or jeep to the northeast, where the island's shores are particularly scenic, or visit the white coral sands of Twixberry Beach or climb to the top of Mount Taipingo for superb views of the village, harbor and Sasanaya Bay. The Northern Mariana Islands are an excellent place for active holidays. Saipan has the most interesting place- Grotto (Grotto), a natural cave with underground lakes up to 15 meters deep and tunnels to the open sea. You can dive to WWII crash sites in Tanapag Harbor, caves and conger eel breeding grounds at Obian Beach, and huge coral formations just offshore at the Saipan Grand Hotel. The best place for snorkeling on Saipan is Managaha Island, on Tinian - Tachona Beach, and on Rota - Corell Gardens in Sasanaya Bay. All three islands have good conditions for hiking. On Saipan, the main route is the Laderana Tangka Trail through the Marpi Commonwealth Forest. There is a wonderful route along the banks of the Cammer and Taga south of San Jose on Tinian. Other recreational options include windsurfing, which is extremely popular here, ( the best place- Micro Beach on Saipan), tennis, golf and short underwater excursions in the lagoon between Saipan and the Managaha Islands, where you can see on the bottom of the sea, in addition to its many inhabitants, traces of the wrecks of Japanese ships or American B-29 “Superfortresses”. Most villages hold annual celebrations in honor of their patron saint, which are the biggest events of the year. Rota and Tinian each hold one such "festival", while Saipan has six: in San Vicente in early April, in San Antonio in mid-June, in Mount Carmel Cathedral in Chalan Canoa in mid-July, in San Rock in mid-August, Tanapag in early October and Koblerville in late October. The Tinian Festival takes place during the last weekend of April or the first weekend of May in honor of Saint José, the island's patron saint. The largest and most popular holiday in the North Mariana Islands However, there is a festival on Rota on the first or second weekend of October. The celebration, held by the Franciscan Church of Borgia, includes a luxurious banquet, which features only traditional food and drinks of the Chamorro people, religious processions, music and dance festivals.

Most events and festivals are still held in Saipan. Popular events include the half marathon and 10 km sea race, held at the end of January. The Kintetsu Buffaloes, a professional baseball team from Japan, hold training camps and competitions here in the spring, training and playing with local teams (and at a fairly serious level) during the first two weeks of February. The annual Micronesian Open and Saipan Lagoon Regatta are international windsurfing competitions, as well as the Hobie Cat competition, held in the Micro Beach area in mid-February. International athletes swim, bike and run nearly 80 kilometers during the Tagaman Triathlon, held in mid-May. The week-long Liberation Day Festival celebrates the liberation of the islands on July 4th, US Independence Day. The festivities include pageants, a beauty pageant, a night of varied entertainment, sports games and numerous banquets. The fishing tournament takes place in August during marlin season. Each island also hosts a different fishing competition, with Rota having Labor Day on a weekend in early September and Tinian having the Fishing Prize in early November.

Historical sketch: Since the 17th century, the Mariana Islands have been a colony of Spain. In 1898 Spain sold the islands to Germany. In 1914, Japan captured the Mariana Islands, and in 1945 the Americans came here. After World War II, the Mariana Islands were part of Micronesia, a territory under US administration. In the 1970s, Micronesia was divided into four political-administrative units. One of these units was the Mariana Islands without its southern part (the islands of Guam). In 1975, the islanders voted to become a "freely affiliated" territory of the United States. In 1976, an agreement on free association between the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States was signed. On November 3, 1986, this agreement came into force, which meant the emergence of a new state - the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

National domain:.MP

Entry rules: All visitors require visas valid for up to three months and proof of no immigration intent. To obtain a visa, you must provide two completed forms, two photographs, a passport valid for at least 6 months, as well as evidence of the absence of immigration intentions (certificate of salary, certificate of real estate, etc.). Formally, an invitation is not required to obtain a visa. The consular fee is $45, in addition you need to pay the cost of the visa ($20 - one-time). The processing time - from a couple of days ("express") to one and a half months - depends on the documents provided and the appointment of the interview. The visa you receive does not guarantee entry into the United States and the Mariana Islands. Russian citizens are registered during passport control. Immigration authorities at the first point of entry into the country will stamp the date of entry, permitted period of stay in the country, date of departure and visa category on the travel voucher insert.

Customs regulations: The import and export of national and foreign currency is not limited. You can import any amounts in cash, traveler's checks and payment cards. Only amounts over $10,000 are required to be declared. When importing gold, declaration is required. Personal items are not subject to duty; perishable foods, weapons, and drugs are prohibited for import into the country.

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). Official language- 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 chain, which turns into the deepest on the planet Mariana Trench- 10,900 m).

All islands are volcanic and mountainous. Length coastline- 1482 km. Northern Islands (9) are younger. Active volcanoes remain on Pagan and Agrihan (unnamed peak 965 m - the highest point in Micronesia). Ma-ug and Guguan are wildlife sanctuaries, with thousands of seabirds nesting 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. Most The population consists 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. accompanied armed clashes Spaniards with the indigenous inhabitants - the Chamorros, most of whom were exterminated. They got their name in honor of Marianna of Austria, the widow of the 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. The indigenous population 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 Islands, 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%.

The role of agriculture is 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.

The length of roads is about 400 km. 2 seaports - on Saipan and Tinian. Of the 6 airports, 3 have paved runways and a helipad.

Every year, the islands are visited by 500 thousand or more foreign tourists (the Japanese predominate, Marianas are the closest Pacific islands to them and memorial sites of the 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.

The Mariana (Ladron) Islands are an archipelago located in Micronesia, in the western Pacific Ocean, consisting of 15 large and several small islands and reefs. The island of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have the status of unincorporated organized territories of the United States. The Mariana Islands have maritime borders with the Philippines, Japan, the Marshall Islands and the Caroline Islands.

In the archipelago area there are about 50 underwater volcanoes and 11 volcano islands. The highest point is 965 meters. The Mariana Trench is the most deep point fault earth's crust depth 11,775 meters.

Total area – 1018 sq. km, the population is about 215,000 people, of which 56% are Asians, 36% are peoples of Oceania, the rest are of mixed origin. Of the religions, Roman Catholic Christianity predominates; local religions and cults are widespread. Official languages are English, Chamorro, Caroline.

The administrative center is Garapan (Saipan Island).

Cities of the Mariana Islands

Saipan Island is most suitable for historical tourism. The infrastructure is well developed here, there are golf courses, conditions for diving and swimming. Saipan has the most even weather in the world - +27 degrees all year round.

Garapan is the administrative center of the Mariana Islands, where popular tourist places are Sugar – King – Park and shops Duty Free. Not far from Garapan, the American Memorial Park and the World War II Museum are interesting. In the park, in addition to historical attractions, you can see natural mangrove forests with a large number of rare birds, as well as sports and stage grounds (where festivals and concerts of local importance are held).

Managaha Island is the oldest and most picturesque island with beautiful coral reefs and exotic fish. Historically memorable places on the island are the Banzai Cliff and Suiside Cliff, Korean Peace Park.

Tinian Island is the calmest, with one village, San Jose. A fashionable hotel, casino, shops and restaurants harmoniously fit into the measured life of the island. The attraction here is the accumulation of ritual stones of ancient peoples – Latte – Stone – Site.

The highest point of the island of Rota rises almost 500 meters above the sea. Tourist attractions here include the limestone Toga Cave, replete with stalactites and stalagmites, Mount Taipingo, an old Japanese locomotive, Chugai rocks with ancient petroglyphs and a bird sanctuary.

Agrikhan Island is the peak of a young volcano almost 1000 meters above sea level and the most high point in Micronesia. There is almost no vegetation or wildlife on the island, and perhaps only extreme sports enthusiasts – divers and fishermen – come here.

The most popular islands of the Northern group are Anatahan volcano, Asuncion volcano, Pagan, Farallon de Pajaros, and the Maug Islands.

How to get to the Mariana Islands

There are no direct flights between Belarus and the Mariana Islands.

The most the best option There will be a flight from Moscow with a connection in Tokyo, Shanghai or Seoul. Travel time excluding connections will be about 16 hours.

Climate of the Mariana Islands

The territory of the Mariana Islands is influenced by a tropical trade wind climate.

Throughout the calendar year, the air temperature on the archipelago averages +27 degrees, water temperature - +25 degrees.

Annual precipitation is 1800 – 2000 mm per year. Air humidity can reach 82%. The rainy season generally falls between June and November. And from August to December strong winds and storms are possible.

The best time to travel around the archipelago is from December to March and from May to June.

The hotel base of the Mariana Islands is represented by both hotels belonging to world-famous chains and local hotels 3* - 4*, providing guests with decent service and comfortable accommodation. The average cost of accommodation is from 90 to 300 US dollars per night.

Economy accommodation options include private boarding houses and motels. An overnight stay here will cost from 35 to 65 US dollars. There are no hostels on Mariany.

Beaches of the Mariana Islands

The islands of the Southern group have beaches with fine white sand, while the Northern ones have black volcanic sand.

The best and most beloved beaches of the Mariana Islands are Micro Beach, Lao Lao Bay, Ladair Beach, Paupau Beach. But lovers of secluded relaxation will always find nearby wild beach to fully enjoy the sea, sun and beautiful nature.

On the island of Tiniana, Tachona Beach attracts attention, on Rota - Corell - Gardens, Teteto Beach.

On the island of Saipan on Micro Beach there are excellent conditions for windsurfing.

Be careful when swimming in the open sea.

Banks, money, exchange offices

The Marian currency is the US dollar, equal to 100 cents. There are paper bills in circulation in denominations of 1,2,5,10,20,50,100 dollars and coins in denominations of 1 dollar, penny (1 cent), nickel (5 cents), dime (10 cents), quarter (25 cents), half-dollar (50 cents). On most islands, Japanese yen and Korean won are also accepted for payments.

Banking hours:

From Monday to Thursday – from 10.00 to 15.00

Fridays – from 10.00 to 18.00

Credit cards from the world's major payment systems (preferably Master Card and Visa) are accepted for payments almost everywhere. ATMs are located in many banks and shopping centers. Travel checks (preferably in US dollars) are also accepted for payments almost everywhere except the most distant islands.

There are no commercial taxes on the islands, hotel tax is 10%.

Tips on the archipelago amount to 10–15% of the total cost of services.

Tourist safety

The Mariana Islands are a safe zone for tourists. Only basic rules should be followed:

It is advisable to leave valuables, large sums of money and documents in the hotel safe
In crowded places it is not recommended to leave personal belongings unattended
It is not recommended to walk alone at night in deserted places
You should not take photographs of local residents without their permission.
Before going outside, be sure to use sunscreen, wear UV-blocking sunglasses and light, long-sleeved clothing
Before departure, you should take preventive measures against hepatitis B and dengue.
It is recommended to use only bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth and making ice
It is recommended to consume meat, fish and seafood only when thermally processed.
Vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly washed, vegetables should be pre-heated, fruits should be peeled first
When swimming in the sea, you should be careful because of the so-called “rip currents”
When moving along many shores, special shoes are required due to coral rubble and volcanic rocks

Transport

The most common mode of transport in the Mariana Islands is airplane and helicopter.

There is no railway connection, public transport Not very well developed, but tourist buses run between hotels, shops and restaurants.

You can also use taxi services.

The service of renting a car (from 20 US dollars per day with an international driver's license and credit card), a motorcycle (from 10 US dollars per day), and a mountain bike (from 2 US dollars per day) is popular in the archipelago. Traffic is on the right.

Entertainment, excursions, attractions

The main attraction of the island of Guam is its main street - Chamorro, where every evening you can see local residents singing and dancing, who also prepare dishes national cuisine. By the way, Chamorro is the name of the local people. There is plenty for divers to do in Guam - Fort Apugan is fraught with many mysteries.

Lovers of trekking and hiking come to the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

On the island of Saipan there is also an interesting Grotto cave with underground lakes 15 meters deep and tunnels leading directly into the sea.

Cuisine and restaurants

The national cuisine of the Mariana Islands is a mixture of traditions of many peoples.

The most popular local dishes are:

"lemai" - breadfruit fried in oil
fried bananas
shrimp and clam cakes
roasted lamb or beef ribs
“haole” - dishes made from beef, pork, chicken or fish with a sauce of lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, pepper, sesame oil
“kelagen – benadu” - venison with sauce
"kadu" - various soups (for example, poultry, potatoes, spinach and beer)
fish prepared in all possible ways
specially prepared eggplant with coconut milk and spices
all kinds of exotic fruits

For dessert - shortbread, puff pastries, banana donuts, chocolate bananas, coconut oatmeal

Alcoholic drinks: local coconut wine “Tuba” (naturally fermented juice of a young coconut)

Shopping and shops

Store opening hours:

On weekdays – from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 13.30 to 17.00

On Saturdays – from 8.00 to 13.00

Private – according to individual schedule

Closed on Sunday (except for large supermarkets and Duty Free stores)

Most often, souvenirs made from sea shells and coconuts, hats and bags made from the leaves of tropical plants, textiles, jewelry made from agate, coral and pearls are brought from the Mariana Islands.

Mariana is famous for its duty-free shops, the prices of which are quite reasonable.

Customs

You can import and export national and foreign currencies without restrictions in cash, travel checks, credit cards. Amounts exceeding US$10,000 and gold must be declared.

Allowed to import:

Up to 600 cigarettes made in the USA or up to 200 cigarettes from other manufacturers, up to 454 g cigars
Up to 1 bottle of strong alcohol, up to 1 bottle of wine, up to 1 case of beer (for persons over 21 years old)
Perfumes and personal items - in reasonable quantities

It is prohibited to import:

Perishable food
Drugs and narcotic-containing medications
Mangoes from the Philippines
Meat and meat products (except those manufactured in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii)
"dry" foods (such as instant noodles)
parrots

When importing pets, an international veterinary certificate is required. For cats and dogs, a rabies vaccination certificate is required, made no less than 30 and no more than 90 days before departure.

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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!

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).

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. IN tourist places Where there is hubbub and exclamations of delight, there are no snakes.

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 recent years, due to global warming, air masses have gathered 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!

The Mariana Islands in the western Pacific Ocean attract travelers with their beauty tropical paradise. A chain of 15 tiny landmass located north of the equator, bordering the eastern part of the Philippine Sea. There are two independent state entities located on the territory of the archipelago. One of them is called the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or simply the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI), the second is Guam.

Tropical paradise

The Mariana Islands offer a warm climate, evergreen forests and picturesque lagoons. The archipelago is surrounded by fantastically beautiful surroundings and the vibrant underwater world promises exciting adventures. This part of Micronesia enjoys summer-like warmth throughout the year, with an atmosphere of warm hospitality and celebration. Tourists like to go snorkeling, diving, and surfing on the islands. Many come to bask in the whites sandy beaches. In hotels on large islands high level services, there are golf clubs, gourmet restaurants.

Where is the archipelago, how to get there?

The Mariana Islands on the map stretch between parallels 12 and 21º, they form an arc along 145° E. w. with a total length of about 810 km. In the south, the archipelago borders on the Caroline Islands, and in the north on the In this area, the time difference with Moscow is +6 hours. To travel to the Mariana Islands, Russian citizens do not need to obtain a visa if the stay does not exceed 45 days. You can get to the archipelago by plane with one transfer in cities in the southeast of the mainland. You will need an amount of 1200-1300 US dollars for a flight with 1-2 transfers on the route Moscow - Mariana Islands. Vacations and hotel prices depend on the city the tourist chooses. Air transport, ferry, boats and inflatable boats operate between the islands of the archipelago.

When is the best time to go? Climate and seasons

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

Government structure and population

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

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

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

History of Chamorro Land

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

At the end of the 19th century, Spain ceded Guam to the United States, along with Puerto Rico and the Philippines, and sold the other Mariana Islands to Germany. Saipan became a coconut growing center for the Germans. Japan seized control of the islands of the archipelago in 1914, holding the territory until the US Navy and the American Army landed in 1944. From the airfield to the island. Tinian was the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. At the same time, the UN recognized the US protectorate over Guam, and in 1947, the United States trusteeship over Northern Isles archipelago.

Amazing nature of the islands

The relatively young Mariana Islands on the map represent a chain of land areas of volcanic and coral origin. They appeared more than 25 million years ago. In the same part of the ocean is the deepest place in the World Ocean - the Mariana Trench with the Challenger Deep (more than 11 km). On the northern island of Agrihan is the highest active volcano archipelago (965 m). Soils, flora and fauna were formed under the influence of a warm, humid climate and the proximity of the ocean. Isolation from the mainland also had an impact. The richness of nature of the large islands consists of:

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

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

Tourism on the islands

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

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

Diving, snorkeling and fishing

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

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

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

Sights of the archipelago

Abundance natural conditions For unforgettable holiday complemented by a developed tourism infrastructure on the large islands - Saipan, Tinyan, Rota and Guam. The coral reef and Lau Lau Beach, popular among fans of water recreation, are located on the southeastern coast of the island. Saipan. Grotto is a natural cave with lakes up to 15 m deep and an underwater exit to azure waters Pacific Ocean. In the Mariana Islands, prehistoric latte structures are formed by two parallel rows of slabs. The height is about 1.5 m, the width is over 3.5 m, and there are stone ceilings on top. Structures 12 m long could serve as supports for religious buildings or houses. The most famous of these artifacts, called the House of Taga, is located on the island of Tinian. The eventful history of the Mariana Islands is reflected in museum exhibitions and memorial monuments.