| The Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) consists of the 14 northern islands in the Marianas chain. Only the southern-most island in the chain, Guam, is not part of the CNMI, being an unincorporated U.S. territory. The CNMI was born out of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, which consisted of six island states the United States assumed responsibility for following World War II. The CNMI as it is today was formed when President Jimmy Carter signed the CNMI Covenant into law on 21 April 1977. The CNMI became a semi-autonomous Commonwealth in political union with the U.S.A. CNMI residents are U.S. citizens with U.S. Passports. At the time of this writing in Dec. of 2004, the CNMI controls its own immigration, but increased anti-terrorism security measures may change that. The CNMI uses U.S. currency, the U.S. Postal Service, while the U.S. maintains a federal level of oversight of these benefits as well as military basing rights. The CNMI was still kept under a trusteeship until 2 November 1986 when President Ronald Reagan declared it a self-governing entity. Nov. 2 is celebrated as Citizenship Day in the CNMI. Saipan is the largest island in the CNMI, exceeded in size only by Guam USA. Its largest village is Garapan. |
The photographers: Mike Ventura (left) and
myself, (right). We spent three days on
Saipan in March of 2005, primarily visiting
WWII sites, but we spent plenty of time
getting a taste of the spectacular beauty of this
Pacific island in March of 2005.
Like most islands, Saipan is very, very easy
to get around. It has almost no litter
problems, the roads are nicely marked, and
the primary artery, Beach Road, runs from the
southern tip up to Garapan; from Garapan you
can continue on to the northern tip of the
island on Chalan Pale Arnold. Photos by
Michael are marked as such; mine are unmarked.
myself, (right). We spent three days on
Saipan in March of 2005, primarily visiting
WWII sites, but we spent plenty of time
getting a taste of the spectacular beauty of this
Pacific island in March of 2005.
Like most islands, Saipan is very, very easy
to get around. It has almost no litter
problems, the roads are nicely marked, and
the primary artery, Beach Road, runs from the
southern tip up to Garapan; from Garapan you
can continue on to the northern tip of the
island on Chalan Pale Arnold. Photos by
Michael are marked as such; mine are unmarked.
| Mike at the Pacific Islands Club (PIC)'s archery range. We spent plenty of time at the PIC shooting, swimming, hitting the rock climbing wall, and just sleeping. |
| Myself exploring a WWII Sherman tank left offshore of Garapan. For more on these tanks, see The Digital American Heritage Trail. |
There's enough to do at the PIC on Saipan that you
might be tempted to just stay put. Located in San Antonio,
its a bit expensive, but a great place to stay. You can rent
a car here, sign up for several different island tours, and
spend time swimming, playing games, sleeping, or eating in
one of four awesome resturants.
might be tempted to just stay put. Located in San Antonio,
its a bit expensive, but a great place to stay. You can rent
a car here, sign up for several different island tours, and
spend time swimming, playing games, sleeping, or eating in
one of four awesome resturants.
(Left) When the PIC was built in the
mid-1980's, an ancient Chamorro burial
site was discovered on the grounds. After
proper excavation, the remains of the
islanders were re-interred elsewhere, and
this monument built on the PIC grounds
to mark the original burial site. Included
on the monument is a replica Latte Stone
and an ancient Chamorro grinding stone.
mid-1980's, an ancient Chamorro burial
site was discovered on the grounds. After
proper excavation, the remains of the
islanders were re-interred elsewhere, and
this monument built on the PIC grounds
to mark the original burial site. Included
on the monument is a replica Latte Stone
and an ancient Chamorro grinding stone.
(Left) A view from the PIC's beach to the
island of Tinian, about five nautical miles south
of Saipan. (Below) U.S. DOD prepositioning
ships sit off shore of Saipan, ready in case
their military cargo is ever needed.
island of Tinian, about five nautical miles south
of Saipan. (Below) U.S. DOD prepositioning
ships sit off shore of Saipan, ready in case
their military cargo is ever needed.
(Left) With Tinian on the horizon, a lone
palm tree basks in the sun (photo by Mike
Ventura). (Above), The emerald waters of
tropical Saipan (click the image above for a
larger version).
palm tree basks in the sun (photo by Mike
Ventura). (Above), The emerald waters of
tropical Saipan (click the image above for a
larger version).
South of San Antonio, where the PIC is located, is Agingan Point. Located here is the Coral Ocean Point Resort, which
is a major golfing destination in the Pacific. One of the unique points of interests about the resort's golf course, aside from
the terrific seaside location, is that it incorporates several Japanese World War II bunkers and blockhouses in the course as
tee-off sites, parts of the rough, etc. Photo by Mike Ventura.
is a major golfing destination in the Pacific. One of the unique points of interests about the resort's golf course, aside from
the terrific seaside location, is that it incorporates several Japanese World War II bunkers and blockhouses in the course as
tee-off sites, parts of the rough, etc. Photo by Mike Ventura.
Located a minute or so south of
Garapan is the 13 Fishermen
Memorial. This simple, lovely
memorial is dedicated to 13
fisherman who were killed in
1986 when Typhoon Ben caught
them out at Sea.
Garapan is the 13 Fishermen
Memorial. This simple, lovely
memorial is dedicated to 13
fisherman who were killed in
1986 when Typhoon Ben caught
them out at Sea.
Like many Pacific islands, Saipan is a
place where the scenic and cultural beauty
is inextricably bound up with the violent
history of World War II. This lovely stone
Japanese lantern, located in the Mt. Carmel
cemetery in Susepe village, is a relic left
behind from the war. Built when Japan
ruled the Marianas (from 1918-1944), this
lantern and another similar to it in the
cemetery survived the war. Two other
lanterns in the cemetery have been broken
down, and all that remains are their bases.
Whether it was the war, weather, or
vandalism that destroyed them, this
explorer does not know. Click the image
for a high-res version of this image.
place where the scenic and cultural beauty
is inextricably bound up with the violent
history of World War II. This lovely stone
Japanese lantern, located in the Mt. Carmel
cemetery in Susepe village, is a relic left
behind from the war. Built when Japan
ruled the Marianas (from 1918-1944), this
lantern and another similar to it in the
cemetery survived the war. Two other
lanterns in the cemetery have been broken
down, and all that remains are their bases.
Whether it was the war, weather, or
vandalism that destroyed them, this
explorer does not know. Click the image
for a high-res version of this image.
