Saipan is a small island in the Western Pacific Ocean and is part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), an American territory beside Guam, another US territory.
The island has a population of about 43,000 people and covers a land area of 115 square miles. Saipan is located about 2,600 miles southwest of Hawaii and about 1,800 miles northeast of the Philippines. The island is situated in the Mariana Trench, the deepest ocean trench in the world.
Saipan is famous for its beautiful beaches, clear blue waters, and lush vegetation. The island is also a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Saipan was first inhabited by the Chamorros, the indigenous people of the Mariana Islands. The first European to visit the island was the Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. In 1668, the Spanish occupied the island, and it remained under Spanish rule until 1898 (source).
During the Spanish-American War, Saipan was captured by the United States and was subsequently governed as part of the US-administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
After the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Japan assumed control of the Northern Mariana Islands and held them until 1944 (source), when it was recaptured by the US during the Battle of Saipan. After the war, Saipan became part of the newly-established CNMI.
Geography Saipan is a volcanic island and is characterized by its mountainous terrain. The highest point on the island is Mt. Tapochau, which has an elevation of 1,554 feet (474 meters). The island has a tropical climate with average temperatures ranging from 77 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The rainy season runs from July to October.
Saipan’s economy largely depends on tourism and the United States military. Tourism is the major contributor to the economy of Saipan. The island is a popular destination for cruise ships and a stopover for flights between Asia and the United States. The currency of Saipan is the US dollar. Saipan has two airports, the Saipan local airport, and the Francisco C. Ada / Saipan International Airport.
The Saipan International Airport (Francisco Ada) is the larger of the two and is the main hub for international flights. The Saipan Port is the busiest in the CNMI and is used for shipping cargo. The island is served by a number of airlines, including United Airlines and Star Marianas (at the time of this writing). Getting Around The best way to get around Saipan is by rental car. There are a number of rental car companies on the island, including Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National.
Saipan is home to a number of attractions, including Bird Island, Forbidden Island, Old Man by the Sea, the American Memorial Park, the Saipan War in the Pacific National Historical Park, and the Managaha Island Beach.
The American Memorial Park is a US National Park that commemorates the lives lost during the Battle of Saipan during World War II. The park features a number of monuments and memorials. The Managaha Island Beach, another tourist destination is a beautiful white sand beach popular with tourists.
