Mariana Islands- A group of islands located in the western Pacific Ocean, in Micronesia. Includes 15 large islands (Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian, etc.).
The climate is tropical. The average temperature in January is + 23 + 26 ° С, in July - + 27 ° С. The islands are located in the zone of Pacific typhoons, which usually occur here from August to December. The wettest months are July-October, with the dry season from December to May. The precipitation is 1800-2100 mm.
History
Ferdinand Magellan bypassed South America and went out in Pacific Ocean... The most difficult part of the path lay before him. Although he did not know it, but he had to cross the largest ocean in the world at the widest point! In the winter of 1520-1521, in four months, he swam 11 thousand kilometers in open ocean... The supplies ran out and the team had to brew leather belts. Finally, Magellan's fleet reached the islands located about 1,900 kilometers south of Japan.
On the islands, Magellan replenished food supplies, but he was angered by the theft of the natives. Those, seeing the things of the Europeans, could not resist, so Magellan named the islands Ladrones, that is, the islands of the Thieves.
In 1667 a group of missionaries was sent to the same islands. They were directed by the Queen of Spain, who at the time was regent to her young son. Queen's name was Mariana; reaching the islands, the missionaries renamed them after the queen. Since then, the islands are called the Mariana Islands.
In 1898, after the Spanish-American War, Spain ceded to the United States the island on which Magellan had landed - Guam, the largest and southernmost island in the entire Mariana Archipelago. The following year, Spain sold the rest of the islands to Germany. After World War I, defeated Germany ceded its possessions to Japan, and after World War II, defeated Japan ceded the islands to the United States.
To the south of the Mariana Islands lies an archipelago of nearly a thousand tiny islets scattered across the vast Pacific Ocean. The Portuguese were the first to discover them, but in 1686 the islands were annexed to Spain by the Spanish navigator Francisco Lazeano. He named the islands Caroline in honor of Charles II of Spain. Charles II was the son of the very same Queen Mariana. He grew up, although he was mentally retarded. The Caroline Islands also went to Germany, then to Japan, and then to the United States.
Attractions of the Mariana Islands
Saipan island is part of the Mariana archipelago. In 1521, during the first travel around the world the island was discovered by Fernando Magellan. At first, the island belonged to the Spanish colonialists. Then, in the 19th century, the islands were ceded to Germany, which brought hired Japanese to Saipan for agricultural work. Soon the Japanese colonized the Pacific, including Saipan. Today Saipan is under the protectorate of the United States of America.
There are plenty of attractions on the island and its surroundings: Suisad cliff, Saint Lourdas, Banzai Cliff, Bird island, Last Command Post, calabera cave.
Saipan is the most visited island in the entire archipelago. Most interesting place on Saipan -
Grotto, a natural cave with underground lakes up to 15 meters deep. Grotto is a natural limestone cave with an underwater outlet into the sapphire waters of the Pacific Ocean. Three underwater tunnels link the cave to the open sea. The cave looks like the gaping mouth of a large whale. The Grotto underwater cave in the north of Saipan has been declared the second most beautiful place in the world by scuba diving experts.
Banzai Cliff is located at the top of Mount Marpi in the north of Saipan. From a height of 249 m. Above sea level, an amazing view of the plateau at the foot and the ocean opens from the cliff. At the end of the Battle of Saipan, in order not to be captured by the Americans, Japanese soldiers and the local Japanese population committed mass suicide here. People, jumping on the rocks into the boiling sea, shouted "Banzai", giving their last respects to the emperor and imperial Japan. Today on this place was erected Buddhist statue and a memorial to the victims.
Top of Mount Tapochao- the highest point of the island. Its height is 473 meters above sea level. The mountain occupies a dominant position in the center of the island. A circular panorama opens from Tapochao. From here you can see the whole island at once and be imbued with its beauty. A statue of Jesus Christ is erected at the top, looking down at the island. The top of the mountain is a great shooting point for photographers.
Chamoli village located in the area of the Garapan shopping center. Built according to the rules of the ancient Chamorra and Caroline villages, this village introduces tourists to the local life and arts. Guests can try peeling coconuts, painting with banana stamps, making coconut oil and local sweets, making their own Saipan beads, and weaving a tropical wreath, hat or basket. For men, there is also something to do here - hew a real canoe and even try it in the lagoon of the island. Here you can also watch a Chamolin dance show, enjoy a barbecue and play traditional local games on the beach.
Bird Island got its name from the seabirds that nest here. With observation deck this reserve offers an enchanting view of a small bay with sandy beach, home to the white swallow, kingfisher and sea turtles.
American Memorial Park was opened in 1994 in honor of the 3,000 American soldiers who died in the battles for Saipan and Tinian during the Second World War. But this is not only memorial Complex... The park has also become a venue for island festivals and active rest... Here you can go swimming, surfing, softball, jogging and tennis.
Saipan Botanical Garden covers an area of 30,000 m 2. It displays about 2,000 species of tropical plants - from fruits to rare exotic flowers. Here, while visiting, you can taste coconut, papaya, mango, avocado, guava, star apple, citrus fruits. Flower lovers will be inspired by the plants and trees that bloom all year round. One of the garden attractions are green iguanas and tropical lizards.
Sanctuary of Our Lady... Legend claims that this place was revealed to a German priest in a divine vision even during the Spanish rule. Later, Christians who came here to pray, erected a statue of the Mother of God. Next to the altar under open air there is the only spring of fresh water in Saipan, called "the holy water of the Mother of God". The indigenous people believe in miraculous medicinal properties water from this spring. During the Second World War, this place was the only one that escaped the bombing.
Mariana Islands cuisine
The cuisine of the Mariana Islands combines French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese and Thai culinary traditions.
Favorite drink local residents is coconut wine " tuba".
Among the national dishes it is worth noting: all kinds of flat cakes; fried bananas; "lemai" - small slices of breadfruit, fried in oil; all kinds of legumes; various salads; pies (options with shellfish and shrimps are especially good); pancakes stuffed with meat and seafood; rolls.
The hallmark of the cuisine of the Mariana Islands are sauces and condiments that can change the taste of any product beyond recognition.
Sauce " kelagen"- a mixture of well-chopped coconut with vinegar, palm oil, various spices and other ingredients. Meat with this sauce is baked, stewed, fried on coals or barbecued.
Many local dishes are not complete without sauce " finadeni"- a mixture of soy sauce, green onions, lemon juice and red pepper. This sauce is especially good in combination with soups and rice. In it, chefs marinate beef, poultry and pork, which are then fried over the fire.
Simple but very hearty soups deserve special attention: "sutang-hu" - a hearty soup made from poultry and rice; "atolin-maize" - thick soup; "chalakilis" is a soup made from poultry, onions, cloves, rice and coconut milk.
As for meat dishes, they are quite traditional, and appetizing sauces give them a local flavor. Popular dishes include: fried beef or lamb ribs; " haole"- fried beef; baked chicken; venison with sauce; pork chops with young taro leaves and many other colorful dishes.
There is a lot of different seafood on the local table. Be sure to try dishes such as: "la jo" - mussels with beans; white fish in vinegar; capricorn fish; the favorite dish of the islanders "a la chamorro" is spicy fish; pies with oysters and shrimps; shark fins.
Official name - Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands(Commonwealth of the Northern mariana Islands).
Located in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. The area is 477 km2, the population of the Mariana Islands is 80 thousand people. (2003). Official language- English. Administrative center Mariana Islands - Saipan Island (over 50 thousand people, 2003). National holiday - Commonwealth Day on January 8 (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 Guam in the south (the 15th island in the Mariana Ridge, which turns into the deepest Mariana Trench on the planet - 10,900 m).
All islands are volcanic and mountainous. Length coastline- 1482 km. The northern islands (9) are younger. Active volcanoes preserved on Pagan and Agrikhan (unnamed peak 965 m - the highest point of Micronesia). Ma-ug and Guguan are wildlife sanctuaries, with thousands of seabirds nesting in the trees on the tops of the cliffs. Sarigan is rich in tropical vegetation, 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. On calcareous soils there grow coconut trees, heat-resistant grains, sugarcane, etc. Saipan has 6 different landscapes: from volcanic hills to humid lowlands and sandy beaches.
Natural resources: fish stocks in 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 small - within 250 mm per year. Monsoon season: July - November. At this time, there are typhoons.
The population of the Mariana Islands is growing rapidly (3-4% per year), incl. due to immigration. Most of the population is made up of Micronesian peoples (Chamorro, Caroline, etc.), there are Europeans, Japanese, Chinese, Filipinos and Koreans. The Chamorro language (mainly oral) and Caroline are widespread. Less than 15% of the population speaks English in families. Most Chamorrans speak a little Japanese to communicate with tourists. Literate 97% of the adult population of the Mariana Islands. Life expectancy for men is 73 years, for women - 79 years. Child mortality 5.5 per 1000 newborns.
Most of the population of the Mariana Islands is concentrated on the island of Saipan, 5 more islands are inhabited.
The dominance of the Catholic religion is combined with the preservation of adherence to traditional legends, beliefs and taboos.
F. Magellan discovered the Mariana Islands in 1521. Their colonization in the 17th century. accompanied by armed clashes between the Spaniards and the indigenous people - Chamorro, most of whom were exterminated. Received their name in honor of Marianne of Austria - the widow of the Spanish king Philip IV. Spain sold them to Germany in 1899. After World War I, under the mandate of the League of Nations, the islands came under Japanese control. In 1947, the United States received Mariana as one of the UN Trust Territories. Access to the islands was restricted due to US military installations. Most of Tinian (from here 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 on the future status of the Marian. In 1975 they signed the Agreement on the creation of the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, which are "in a political alliance" with the United States. Since 1978, after being approved in a referendum, the Marian Constitution came into effect, on the basis of which the first legislative and executive elections were held. In 1986, the aforementioned Agreement also came into effect. In 1990, the UN Ground Force abolished the status of the Mandatory Territory in relation to the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands.
The Mariana Islands is a self-governing Commonwealth "in political alliance" with the United States, which controls foreign relations and defense. The head of state is the President of the United States. The native population has American citizenship, but does not participate in the American elections. Federal financing of the Marian economy is the responsibility of the US Department of the Interior.
The country has no administrative division, but there are 4 municipalities (Northern Islands, Saipan, Tinian and Rota).
Executive power is exercised by the Governor (Juan N. Wabauta) and the Lieutenant Governor (Diego T. Venevente), elected by direct universal suffrage for 4 years. The next elections are in 2005. The bicameral Legislature 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" in the United States with a residence in Washington (unlike Guam, which has a delegate to the US House of Representatives).
Political parties: by analogy with the United States - 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 have no diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation.
GDP per capita 12.5 thousand US dollars. The main sectors of the economy are the rapidly growing clothing industry and tourism. About 50% work force employed in the tourism industry (25% of GDP), another 35% (mainly Chinese) - in the garment 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 insignificant. Small farms grow coconut trees, breadfruit, vegetables and fruits. The ranch breeds cattle. Fishing and processing of fish (mainly tuna) are of some importance.
The length of highways is about 400 km. 2 seaports- on Saipan and Tinian. Of the 6 airports, 3 have hard-surface runways and a helipad.
500 thousand or more foreign tourists visit the islands per year (Japanese predominate, Marianas are the closest for them pacific islands and memorable places of the battles of World War II).
Financial assistance from the United States is important for the Marian economy, but its share in the country's budget is last years declined as the local revenue base increased.
The main export item is garment products. Food, fuel, construction materials and equipment are imported. The main partners are the USA and Japan.
The school system includes public (primary and secondary schools) and private schools. You can continue your studies at the Northern Marian College, as well as in US educational institutions.
The Northern Mariana Islands is a state in the Pacific Ocean, of several volcanic islands rising from the depths of the Pacific Ocean. Nearby is the world's deepest Mariana Ocean Trench, which plunges eleven kilometers into the depths. In this trench, one lithospheric plate dives under another, being processed into magma, which will then pour out through the volcanoes.
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The Mariana Islands were discovered by Magellan in 1521, however, despite the fact that he was greeted there very warmly, he sailed from there very unhappy. The natives did not understand that it was impossible to take someone else's and took full hands of everything they could reach when they climbed onto the ship. And then they dragged the boat away, for which Magellan called these islands "islands of thieves", and so he marked it on the map. The islands were not too interested Spanish crown that was the ruler of this territory, in fact, only nominally. Nevertheless, missionaries periodically came here, who local population Neither did the merchants, whom he loved, even adored. And they strove to put a prettier girl, because the merchants always presented different useful things and children.
And everything would be fine, but the islands were sold to Germany. The Germans began to create a German order there, but they quickly got bogged down in wars on the continent and no attention was left on the islands. During the Second World War, the Japanese captured the islands and immediately began to actively plant on them. And even more actively, to participate in the breeding program, forcibly marrying their colonists to aboriginal women. However, this violence was forced - almost all the aborigines died out from simple European diseases, so many mestizos were required, resistant to diseases.
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Mariana Islands, traditional tourism center. They willingly spend here honeymoon travel... It is easy to order a banquet on the honeymoon mountain, which hints at a honeymoon. Of course, river cruises are inaccessible here, due to the absence of more or less significant rivers, but renting a motor ship can be easily arranged, just pay for rest and increased exoticism.
Commonwealth of Nothern Mariana Islands, a state in Micronesia - the western part of the Pacific Ocean, occupies most of the islands of the Mariana Archipelago (14 out of 15 islands. The 15th island of the chain is Guam, an overseas territory of the United States).
The islands form two chains - north and south, stretching almost strictly from north to south for 736 km (460 miles). Most of the islands in the northern chain are volcanic cones (height up to 965 m), towering above the water, some of which are still active. Southern chain - coral and volcanic islands. Most large islands- Saipan (120 sq. Km), Tinian and Rota, the smallest is Farallon de Medinilla, with an area of about 0.5 sq. km.
The northernmost (uninhabited) island of the archipelago, Moug, was ranked # 1 by National Geographic magazine as “Best Wildlife Destination”.
The Mariana Islands mark the dividing line between the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. To the east of the archipelago lies Mariana Trench, the depth of which reaches 11,775 m.
The total area of the Northern Mariana Islands is 480 sq. km.
Administrative center - Saipan island
Time: Time, relative to Moscow: ahead of Moscow by 6 hours in summer time and at 7 o'clock - in the winter.
Nature: Most of the islands in the northern chain are actually volcanic cones (up to 965 m high) towering above the water, 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 a square kilometer. The Mariana Islands mark the dividing line between the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. To the east of the chain of islands 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, the rainy season is from July to October. The best time to visit the Northern Mariana Islands - during the dry months from December to March.
Political system: The head of state and executive branch is the governor, elected by the population. The Legislative Assembly consists of two chambers: the Senate (9 members) and the House of Representatives (18 members), which are re-elected every two years.
Population: The population is about 45.4 thousand people (1993), mainly Micronesian-Chamorro, as well as immigrants from the Caroline Islands and the Philippines.
Language: English (official), Chamorro and Caroline dialects are also widely used, 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, sugarcane, breadfruit, coffee, bananas, tomatoes, cotton, citrus fruits are grown on the islands; cattle, pigs, goats are bred; catch and process fish (mainly tuna). There are deposits of phosphorites, sulfur, iron and manganese ores. The exports of the islands are 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 Remaining Mysteries", meaning by this a fairly unspoiled nature, an abundance of historical sites(especially associated with the period of the "Battle of the Pacific" in World War II) and the easy 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, Saipan Island can turn into a nightmare when vacationing on a tour, as it is literally overcrowded with tourists from Japan, moving "organized columns" and constantly clicking the shutters of their cameras, the recreation infrastructure is relatively poorly developed here and is more focused on lovers of an active lifestyle. more than the spoiled "shopping tourist", but the island is still renowned for its charm - turquoise waters, white sands and excellent conditions for diving, swimming, snorkeling and hiking are still abundant here. Saipan is the most popular destination for "historical tourism" among citizens Japanese islands... In the recent past, this has allowed the island to achieve the fastest growth rates in Micronesia in terms of tourism and population growth, with the construction of new golf courses and numerous resorts that have sprung up around the island at a rapid pace. Tourists and foreign workers now outnumber the indigenous population, and the island has lost many of its Micronesian character. However, Saipan still has everything that attracts tourists here - beautiful shores on the western and southern coasts, many scenic spots on a rugged and rocky east coast, rolling hinterlands and majestic cliffs on the north coast. The island itself has 23 km. in length and 8 km. wide.
Garapan, the most Big city in the Commonwealth of Nations of the Northern Mariana Islands, is the fastest growing city in the region. Almost destroyed during the battles of World War II and resettled in the 1960s, Garapan is now completely restored and all 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 the city beach Mikro are considered the finest on the islands. To the north of the beach, the American Memorial Park stretches along the coast, which protects habitats for forest and wading birds, and also serves as a favorite place for picnics and commemorative events dedicated to the memory of American soldiers who died in the US invasions of Saipan and Tinian. It also houses the Museum of the Second World War with an exposition 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, "happily" has escaped the main influx of tourists and therefore serves as a good place to "get away from the blessings of 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 was "famous" as runway for Enola Gay, the plane that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. San Jose, the main town of the island, is the site of the ancient village of Chamorro. Those early settlers created the best objects that today, in the main, attract guests here. The main attraction of San Jose is the House of Taga, which served as a place of great gatherings and the seat of Taga the Great, the legendary king of the ancient state of Chamorro.
There are several good swimming spots on Tinian, including Kammer Beach in San Jose and Taga Beach south of the village, which boast turquoise waters and white sand. Chulu Beach on the northwestern coast of Tinian, is the site of fierce battles during World War II, where American troops landed on the island, so massive archaeological excavations... Rota Island lies halfway between Saipan and Guam, and is only now beginning to emerge from the shadows. large islands, it is still a slowly developing place with poor recreation infrastructure. The main village, Songsong, still dispenses with traffic lights or shopping malls. Located on southwest coast Rota, Songsong stretches along a narrow peninsula, which only rises at the tip to the foot of Taipingo Mountain (210 m.). The village is literally "saturated" with various stones, which serve to strengthen the foundations of houses and to mark "streets" and as berths and fences. The local Franciscan Church of Borja is proud of its centenary bell. You can travel from Songsong on foot or by 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 Taipingguo for superb views of the village, harbor and Sasanaya Bay. The Northern Mariana Islands are an excellent destination for active species recreation. On Saipan, the most interesting place is the Grotto (Grotto), a natural cave with underground lakes up to 15 meters deep and tunnels to the open sea. You can dive to WWII aircraft crashes at Tanapag Harbor, caves and sea eel breeding grounds in Obyan Beach, and huge coral massifs a short distance offshore at the Saipan Grand Hotel. The best snorkelling spot in Saipan is Managaha Island, Tiniana is Tachona Beach, and Rota is Corell Gardens in Sasanaya Bay. All three islands have good hiking conditions. On Saipan, the main route is the Laderan Tangka Trail through the Marpi Commonwalt Forest. There is a beautiful route along the Kammer and Taga banks south of San Jose on Tinian. Other recreational activities include windsurfing, which is extremely popular here, ( the best place- Mikro beach on Saipan), tennis, golf and short underwater excursions in the lagoon between Saipan and the Managaha islands, where you can see at the bottom of the sea, in addition to its many inhabitants, traces of wrecks of Japanese ships or American "Super Fortresses" B-29. Most of the villages hold annual celebrations in honor of their patron saint, which are the biggest events of the year. Rota and Tinian have one such "festival" each, 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, in Tanapag at the beginning of October and in Coblerville at the end of October. The Tinian Festival takes place during the last weekend in April or the first weekend in May in honor of Saint José, the patron saint of the island. The largest and most popular holiday in the Northern Mariana Islands, however, is the Rota festival on the first or second weekend in October. The celebrations hosted by the Franciscan Church of Borgia include a chic banquet featuring only traditional Chamorro food and drinks, religious processions, music and dance festivals.
Most of the events and festivals are still held in Saipan. Popular events include the half marathon and the 10 km offshore race at the end of January. Kintetsu Buffaloes, a professional baseball team from Japan, has 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 Open Micronesian Regatta and Saipan Lagoon Regatta - an international windsurfing competition, like the Hobie Cat competition, is held in the Micro Beach area in mid-February. World-class athletes swim, bike and run nearly 80 kilometers during the Tagamansky Triathlon held in mid-May. The week-long Liberation Day Festival celebrates the liberation of the islands on July 4, US Independence Day. The festivities include pageants, a beauty pageant, a full night of entertainment, sports games and numerous banquets. The fishing tournament takes place in August, during the marlin stroke season. Each island also hosts a different fishing competition, Rota is Labor Day for the weekend in early September and Tinian is the Fishing Prize in early November.
Historical overview: Since the 17th century, the Mariana Islands have been a Spanish colony. 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 US-ruled territory. In the 1970s, Micronesia was divided into four political and administrative units. One of these units was the Mariana Islands without its southern part (the Guam Islands). In 1975, the islanders voted for the status of a "freely annexed" territory to the United States. In 1976, an agreement was signed on the free association of the Northern Mariana Islands with the United States. On November 3, 1986, this agreement entered into force, which meant the emergence of a new state - the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
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Entry rules: All visitors need visas valid for up to three months and proof of non-immigration intent. To obtain a visa, you must provide two completed application forms, two photographs, a passport valid for at least 6 months, as well as proof of the absence of immigration intentions (a certificate of salary from work, a certificate of real estate, etc.). Formally, you do not need an invitation 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 received does not guarantee entry into the United States and the Mariana Islands. Russian citizens are registered when passing passport control... The immigration authorities at the first point of entry into the country put down in the coupon insert the appropriate notes about the date of entry, the permitted period of stay in the country, the date of departure and the category of visa.
Customs regulations: Import and export of national and foreign currency is not limited. Any amount can be imported in cash, traveller's checks and payment cards. Only amounts over $ 10,000 are required to declare. When importing gold, a declaration is required. Items for personal use are not subject to duty, perishable food, weapons, drugs are prohibited for import into the country.
The Mariana Islands are separated by the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. This is a classic island arc of the Pacific Ring of Fire zone formed by active subduction (subsidence of the edge of a relatively thin oceanic crust under the base of a thick crust continental type) tectonic plates. To the south and east of the chain of islands lies the world's deepest Mariana Trench with a depth of 11,775 meters (according to other sources - 11,022 meters), which is just a visible expression of the plate collision zone. Geologically, the Marianas are part of a chain of submarine volcanoes known as the Izu-Bonin-Mariana Arc, which consists of nearly fifty submarine volcanoes. active volcanoes and 11 old volcanic peaks, whose peaks form the islands of the group.
The northern group of islands (Farallon de Pajaros (Uracas), Asuncion, Pagan, Sarigan and others) is geologically young - most of these islands were formed during the last 5 million years and continue to grow today. The young cones of these islands are high and still active - not uncommon volcanic eruptions and earthquakes of magnitude up to 7 on the Richter scale. The steep slopes of the volcanoes run down to the virtually reefless waters of the surrounding ocean, forming typical volcanic landscapes with numerous lava fields and tongues. Vegetation and animal world scarce, natural sources of water are also few (the exception is quite numerous fumaroles and mini-geysers, annually throwing thousands of tons of highly mineralized water into the ocean).
The southern chain of islands (Saipan, Tinian, Agrihan, Rota, etc.) are older volcanic formations, whose age reaches 42 million years. They are also based on the tops of underwater volcanoes that fell asleep many millions of years ago. This is where the most high point countries - Agrikhan volcano, or Agrigan (965 m). Over the next time, the underwater slopes of the once formidable volcanoes were actively "assimilated" by corals, the many-meter strata of which, raised by tectonic processes above sea level, formed the surface of the islands of the southern group. Today, almost all of the islands in the southern chain are massive massifs of coral limestone lying on a volcanic base. Numerous coastal terraces and high cliffs mark the ocean level at various stages of island formation, and the coast is mostly flanked by young coral reefs that form the marginal lagoons.
The natural vegetation of the islands is not rich. The main plant is the coconut tree. Copra and palm oil were the most important export commodities and the main source of income for many islanders. The coconut provides food and drinks (besides the coconut milk itself, even flowers are used, ropes are made from palm fiber, wood is used for building materials, branches are used for weaving baskets and mats, and charcoal is made from the husks of nuts and cake). No less important is the fire tree (Brachychiton acerifolius), imported from other islands of Oceania (however, recently its role is more decorative), as well as the Coleus, Caladium and Philodendron (Araceae). But various fruit species introduced by man grow here in great numbers.
The only endemic mammals on the islands are the fruit bats, although they have all but disappeared due to the popularity of their meat in the cuisine of the local Chamorro people. Sambar deer can also be found on Rota, and skinks and geckos are found almost everywhere. But the bird community is quite diverse - about 70 species of birds are found on the Mariana Islands, including the gray-necked fantail (Rhipidura dahli), honey sucker (Meliphaga), Australian tern (Sterna nereis) and the endangered swiftlet (Collocalia). And the waters around the islands are literally teeming with marine life.
