Tinian Island. Tinian Island Tinian Island for an important task

Saipan Island

The most big Island and the administrative center of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. White sandy beaches, quiet, emerald lagoons and a necklace of coral reefs line much of the island's west coast. Here you will be offered a wide choice marine species sports Warm weather and year-round sunshine make the island a paradise for beach lovers.

Most hotels, shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs are concentrated in tourist center islands, Garapan. Here you will find the world famous Hard Rock Cafe and Duty Free store ( Duty Free). No more than a 5-minute walk from the gallery there are gift shops, car rental offices, and companies offering various types of services and entertainment. The central part of the island is covered with green jungle. This is the kingdom wildlife, exotic flora and fauna.

Saipan was the scene of some of the most intense battles of the war. Pacific Ocean. Until now, both on the island itself and on seabed, you can see the wreckage of planes, tanks and ships. Banzai Cliffs, Suicide Cliffs, 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 the eastern shore of the island. Here they will be greeted by wild cliffs, limestone caves and jungle trails. Mount Tapochao offers views of the whole of Saipan and neighboring island Tinian.
Saipan is 23 km long and 8 km wide.

Garapan - the busiest area of Saipan, and indeed the entire Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Almost destroyed during the fighting of World War II, Garapan has now been rebuilt and is 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 hotels, is considered one of the best on the island. To the north of the beach is the American Memorial Park. There is a protection zone for forest and marsh birds here. The park also serves as a favorite site for events and picnics to commemorate American soldiers killed in the US invasion of Saipan and Tinian.

The park houses the Museum of the Second World War, the exhibition of which includes weapons, samples of military uniforms, ammunition and other military attributes of that time, as well as many photographs.

Tinian Island

This sleepy island with one village, just 4 km south of Saipan, has fortunately escaped the main influx of tourists and therefore serves good place for an “escape from the blessings of civilization” if the hustle and 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 site of the Enola Gay and Box Car bombers that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

San Jose, main locality islands, is the territory of an ancient Chamorro village. Its settlers created masterpieces that mainly attract visitors here today. The main attraction of San Jose is the Taga House, which served as a place of large gatherings and the residence of Taga the Great, the legendary leader of the ancient Chamorros.

Tinian has several good swimming spots, including Cammer Beach in San Jose and Taga Beach south of the village, which feature turquoise waters and white sand. Chulu Beach, in the northwest of Tinian, was the site of fierce fighting during World War II, where American troops landed on the island. Continue here archaeological excavations. The only casino in the region, Tinian Dynasty, is also located on Tinian.

Sights of Tinian:

Taga Beach Park
Taga's House
Atomic bomb loading pits
Suicide Cliff
Unai Danculo
North Field
Well of Taga
Blow Hole

Rota Island

Historically named "Luta", a small pearl island, lies halfway between Saipan and Guam, and is only now beginning to emerge from the shadows." big islands and develop the direction of eco-tourism. The main village, Song Song, still has no traffic lights or shopping centers, but is home to several good restaurants. Contrary to image lost island, conditions for recreation have been created for tourists - on the island there is a resort “Rota Resort & Country Club” with a first-class golf club; the Coconut Village hotel whose bungalows are located right by the sea, the Rota hotel and several small hotels in Songsong.

Here you should definitely rent a car and take a trip to this Treasure Island. You can travel from Songsong on foot or by jeep to the northeast, where the shores of the island have a particularly picturesque view. Attractions include: Tanga - a giant natural cave with intricate limestone formations; Botanical Garden Taisa-kana, the ancient grotto museum of Rota Cave, where the first settlers of the island lived, Coral Garden. The north of the island will make tourists wonder how the ancient Chamorros managed to carve giant letti 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 underwater volcano began to erupt in the area of deep place on Earth - the Mariana Trench. At the top of the volcanic mountain, which reached the surface of the sea, coral reefs formed. Tectonic movements slowly raised 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 waters, 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 powerful energy of the waves in action. If tourists are looking for soft beaches, they will enjoy the fine white sand of the northern shore at the beaches of Teteto, Tatgua or the secluded shore in the Swimming Hole area or the Coral Gardens of the Marine Reserve.

Forests
Rota has the largest forested areas remaining in the Commonwealth. Some of them are protected in the Sabana Nature Reserve. You can get to know these forests by traveling on wheels and on foot along Mount Sabana, or look at the high forest canopy from observation deck Alaguan Bay. Adventure for nature lovers - a descent along the bypass road leading through the Paili forest, the grassy plain of Talahaya, past the Okgok waterfall, and along the high cliffs above the Coral Gardens of the Marine Sanctuary.

Animal world
The fauna of Rota amazes with 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 the rare bird aga (Mariana crow) or nose (Rotsky white-eye) in the Sabana Nature Reserve. These rare birds cannot be seen anywhere else in the world in natural conditions. Here, from the Alaguan Bay observation deck, at dawn or in the evening twilight, you can see a large and rare fanihi (Mariana flying fox) soaring above the primeval forest. These rare animals have a wingspan of up to 3.5 feet (1.05 m). Historically, they were an important part of Chamorran culture. Today, fanihi is not found on Saipan, Tinian, or Guam, 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 known throughout the world for their purity and coral reefs. These reefs contain at least 240 species of hard corals and 41 species of soft corals. More than 1,000 species of fish inhabit the waters of the Mariana Islands. There are fish of all shapes, sizes and colors. These waters are home to many species of tuninos (dolphins), such as spinners, striped dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. We also have bayena (whales) including melon whales, Bridey whales, sperm whales and pilot whales. Warty whales migrate through our waters usually in February and March.

The Mariana Islands have hundreds of species of other sea creatures: small nudibranchs, lobsters, octopuses and the giant haggan betde (green sea turtle), whose shell can reach 4 feet (1.2 m) in length. The Coral Gardens Marine Sanctuary was created in 1994. This is the Commonwealth's first maritime protection zone. Here, the diversity of marine life is protected for the benefit of local people and tourists, as well as future generations.

Paths and paths
Today you can travel along many trails. There are many beautiful backcountry roads of interest to mountain bikers. If tourists are interested in short hiking We recommend the trails around the Ai Chenchon Bird Sanctuary, Liyo Trail, Chugai 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 provides long hikes under the arches of primeval forest and across the grassy Talahaya plain with its breathtaking views.

Sights of Rota:

Tonga Cave
Twixbury Beach
Swimming Hall
East Harbor
Japanese cannon
Ancient quarry of latte stones
Bird sanctuary
Japanese locomotive
Ancient latte settlement of Mochong
Ancient latte settlement of Dugi
German chapel
Sugar factory NKK
Rota Zoo
Teteto Beach
As Matmos
Peace Saban Memorial
Songsong observation deck

Story

Pre-Latte era (1500 BC -1100 AD)
The ancient ancestors of the Chamorros migrated from South-East Asia approximately 3,500 years ago (approx. 1,500 BC) They came sailing in small canoes, guided by the stars, sun, moon, wind and ocean currents. They brought with them pottery, the art of creating designs from shells, and tools from shells and stones. 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 images of turtles, fish, birds and sketches of ancient war boats.

Age of Latte (1100 to 1521)
About 900 years ago (1100 AD), the Chamorros began using Latte stones as support columns for wooden thatched houses. Latte stones can be found throughout the island today. The ancient settlement of Mochon is one such place. People lived here continuously for 3,000 years. The largest settlements of the ancient Chamorro in the Mariana Islands 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 Mariana Islands.

Spanish Period (1521 – 1899)
The first Europeans arrived in the Mariana Islands 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 have made it possible to raise from the bottom the relics of one of these galleons - the Santa Margherita, which sank off the northern coast of Rota during a storm in 1601.

Proa (sailing catamarans):
Magellan's sailors 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 Mariana Islands, 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 administer them in 1922. By the 1930s, most of Rota's lowland lands were devoted to sugarcane plantations. This branch of agriculture provided rapidly growing exports during this period. was characterized by rapid development of infrastructure.Car and railways, encircling the island.

Second World War (1941-1945)
World War II began in the Pacific theater in 1941. By 1944, American military forces had advanced across the Pacific Islands to the Marianas Archipelago. Ground battles bypassed Rota, although sporadic bombing occurred over a period of 14 months. These days, you can explore the intricate passageways of the Japanese Command Post or observe a moment of silence at the Mount Sabana Peace Memorial Park.

About the city of Tinian

Tinian (Tinian) - island in Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands owned by the United States, part of the Mariana Islands archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean. Administrative center municipality of the same name in the Commonwealth.

Tinian Island is located at the southern tip of the archipelago, approximately 4.5 kilometers southeast of the main island of the commonwealth - the island of Saipan (separated from it by Saipan Bay) and 163 kilometers northeast of the island of Guam.

Tinian, like many islands in this region of the Pacific Ocean, is of coral origin and is an atoll jutting out from the sea. This is the third largest island in the Mariana archipelago. Tinian is famous for its small cozy bays, located mainly in the southern and central parts of the island.

The indigenous inhabitants of the island, the Chamorro tribes, inhabited the island long BC. This is also indicated by ancient stone pillars, up to 6 meters high, located on the island and very similar to the moai of Easter Island or the megaliths of Palvu. Europeans discovered the islands in the 16th century, thanks to the Catholic Spanish missionary Diego Luis de Sanvitores.

For about two centuries, the island belonged to the Spaniards, and then, like all the islands of today’s Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, it came under the jurisdiction of Germany, which ceded them to Japan during the First World War. Since 1920, the Mariana Islands have been administered by Japan under a mandate established by the League of Nations. The Japanese managed to quite successfully develop sugar cane cultivation on the island.

The tragic events of World War II led to the capture of the island by the Americans in 1944. IN world history The island was included due to the fact that it was from here in August 1945 that the bombers that dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki took off.

Despite the obvious potential for tourism development, the island noticeably lags behind neighboring Saipan in terms of the level of tourism infrastructure. This is due to the fact that almost half of the island is used by the Americans as a military training ground.

However, part of the island’s budget is replenished by attracting tourists, as well as by two gas stations and The Dynasty casino, with hotel complex And shopping center, which is located next to Tachogna Taga Beach.

Among the attractions of the island, we highlight the first buildings of the settlers, located in the small town of San Jose, which is the main settlement of Tinian. Located here are the ruins of the House of Taga - the residence of the legendary Chamorro king Taga the Great, as well as a large accumulation of ritual stones called the Latte Stone Site.

Next to the second most popular beach on the island, Camer Beach, there is the Catholic Church of San Jose, very reminiscent of a lighthouse, built about fifty years ago.

Of interest to tourists is the Suicide Cliff memorial, dedicated to the mass suicide of Japanese military personnel and members of their families who did not want to surrender to the Americans after the latter captured this island. Among the inhabitants living on the islands, some professed Judaism. Today, this is evidenced by the only surviving synagogue on the islands, located on the island of Tinian.

Note that the coast of the island is an excellent place for diving, snorkeling, spearfishing and sport fishing. Tinian's terrain is dotted with limestone caves, where you can find ancient petroglyphs left by the Chamorro tribes.

The climate of Tinian, like all of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Saipan is tropical, trade wind. The temperature stays throughout the year in the range of +28 C...+33 C. The most convenient period for visiting the island is from December to May.

Official website of the islands - www.cnmiago.gov.mp

Tinian dialing code: +670 (all islands)

The island can be reached by ferry from Saipan, as well as by air through a small airport Tinian International Airport (http://www.cpa.gov.mp/tinapt.asp), used for air travel to other islands.

Located in the southern part of the Mariana Islands archipelago 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 main relief of the island is made up of terraces measuring 20 by 9 km. The highest point of the island reaches 170 m. The area of the island is 102 km² (the third largest island of the Mariana Islands).

Coastline Tiniana in the southern and central parts is quite steep and rugged, but is replete with cozy small bays with tiny beaches, and in the north it is more gentle, but has almost no reefs protecting it from the effects of ocean waves. There are few coral reefs, however, the clear warm waters of the coastal zone are ideal for snorkeling, and the strait between Tinian and Agihan Island is excellent for scuba diving and sport fishing.

Population

In 2000, Tinian's population was approximately 2,000, representing 5% of the total population of the Northern Mariana Islands. Approximately 75% local residents consists of the country's indigenous people, the Chamorros, and Carolinians (immigrants from the Caroline Islands). Asians and Europeans also live on Tinian.

Last changes: 29.08.2011

Story

The island of Tinian was inhabited about 4,000 years ago. The indigenous inhabitants of the island are the Chamorros. The island preserves ancient stone pillars, very similar, for example, to Nan Madol (Micronesia), the megaliths of Palau or the moai of Easter Island. Total weight These structures exceed a ton and the height is about 6 m.

The European discoverer of the island was the Spaniard, Catholic missionary 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 Mariana Islands were occupied by the Japanese. In 1920, a League of Nations mandate was established over the islands, administered by Japan. During this period, Tinian actively developed Agriculture primarily the cultivation of sugar cane.

In 1944, the island was captured by American troops, who soon established a base on Tinian military aviation. In August 1945, bombers launched from an American air base on the island and dropped atomic bombs on Japan.

Last changes: 08/29/2011

Beaches and attractions

San Jose, the island's main population center, grew out of an ancient Chamorro village. It is the buildings of the first settlers that are its main attractions.

Taga's House served as a venue for large gatherings and the residence of Thag the Great, the legendary king ancient state Chamorro. Around the ruins of this building there is Latte Stone Site- the largest accumulation of ritual stones of the ancient sea peoples in the Mariana Islands.

Nearby, just 800 meters south of San Jose, lies beautiful beach Taga Beach with turquoise waters and white sand, protected from the sea by a tiny island, and to the north, between Taga Beach and Chongya Beach, is The Dynasty casino complex, which includes a luxury hotel, several shops and restaurants.

Directly within 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 the city bell tower of a rather original appearance (most of all it looks like a lonely lighthouse).

Chulu Beach (Unai-Chulu) on the northwest coast of Tinian, is the site of fierce fighting during the Second World War, where American troops landed on the island, 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 Mariana Islands.

Also worthy of attention Korean Memorial Park in honor of the Korean workers who died on the island.

And on the northeastern shore of Tinian stretches Unai Dankulu Beach, better known as Long Beach as it is the longest beach on the island. In the coastal cliff above the edge of this secluded stretch of shore there are several caves in which ancient Chamorro wall paintings have been discovered.

The third largest island of the Mariana archipelago (area 101 sq. km), Tinian is located 4.5 km southeast of Saipan and 163 km northeast of Guam. In its origin, the island is very similar to Saipan - its central part is occupied by a limestone hill formed by an array of ancient seas raised above the surface coral reef (highest point- Mount Puntan Carolinas, 175 meters). The coastline of the island in the southern and central parts is quite steep and rugged, but is replete with cozy small bays with tiny beaches, and in the north it is flatter, but has almost no reefs protecting it from the effects of ocean waves.

This sleepy island, home to the single village of San Jose, has fortunately escaped the main tourist influx and makes a good escape if the hustle and bustle of Saipan, for example, becomes too intrusive. However, the reason for this “calm” is politics, and not at all the remoteness of Tinian - most of its territory (almost the entire north) is leased to the American army, which has set up a training ground here. And it was Tinian that was involved at one time in one of the most tragic events in history - the Enola Gay bomber launched from here, which dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. At the old North Field airfield, where the "superfortress" took off, there is a small memorial built just above the loading pits intended for hanging bombs.

San Jose, the island's main population center, grew out of an ancient Chamorro village. It is the buildings of the first settlers that are its main attractions. Taga's house served as a venue for large gatherings and the residence of Taga the Great, the legendary king of the ancient Chamorro state. Around the ruins of this structure is the Latte Stone Site, the largest accumulation of ritual stones of the ancient sea peoples in the Mariana Islands. Nearby, just 800 meters south of San Jose, lies the beautiful Taga Beach with turquoise waters and white sand, protected from the sea by a tiny island, and to the north, between Taga Beach and Chongya Beach, is The Dynasty Casino complex, in which includes a luxury hotel, several shops and restaurants. Directly within San Jose, between Taga Beach and the port, there is the second popular beach area - Cummer Beach, as well as the Catholic Church of San Jose (1956) with a city bell tower of a rather original appearance (most of all it looks like a lonely lighthouse).

Chulu Beach (Unai Chulu), on the northwest coast of Tinian, is the site of fierce fighting during the Second World War, where American troops landed on the island, so massive archaeological excavations continue here. And in the southeast of the island there is the Suiside 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 Mariana Islands. And on the Carolinas plateau and under the arches of the forest on the hills of Kastilyu and Lasu you can find many artillery pieces and caponiers from the period of the struggle for the island (there is another Shinto shrine on Lasu, although it is almost destroyed), as well as the complex of the Japanese administration of the island - Nanyo-Kohatsu- Kabushiki-Kaisha. Also noteworthy is the Korean Memorial Park in honor of the Korean workers who died on the island.

The island has a fairly diverse flora and fauna, and there are also many picturesque cliffs and limestone caves. There are few coral reefs, but the clear, warm waters of the coastal zone are ideal for snorkeling, and the strait between Tinian and the satellite island of Aguijan (area 7.09 sq. km) is excellent for scuba diving and sport fishing. And on the north-eastern shore of Tinian stretches Unai Dankulu Beach, better known as Long Beach, as it is the longest beach on the island. In the coastal cliff above the edge of this secluded stretch of shore there are several caves in which ancient Chamorro wall paintings have been discovered.