Saipan
The Pacific Islands Project
Landforms, Bodies of Water, Plateaus, Mountains, Plains:
Mount Tapochau is the highest point on the island. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Philippine sea. The Saipan channel separates it from Tinian.
Climate, Plants, Animals, and Natural Resources:
Tropical marine climate, which is a very stable climate with year round sunshine and clean air and water. Animals and plants include: tree fern,
fire tree, fruit dove, and the Tinian monarch. Their only natural resources are arable land and fish.
Flame Tree
There is a Flame Tree Arts Festival that takes place every year in Saipan in late April.
Fruit Dove
They are in the pigeon and dove family, and they are found in the forests and woodlands.
Tinian Monarch
It is an endemic species to the Northern Marina Islands.
History
-Saipan was first inhabited around 2000 B.C
-Germany ruled Saipan from 1899 until World War
-During World War 2, the U.S Marines and Army fought the Japanese for over three weeks to win control of Saipan, this is called the Battle of Saipan.
People, Languages, Religion, and Education
-86% speak another language besides English
-Main languages are Chamorro, Carolinian, and English.
-Ethnic groups are Chamorros, Carolinians, and Micronesians
-97% literacy rate
-Main religion is Christianity
Traditions, Customs, and Food
-There are many Japanese restaurants there.
-They incorporate a lot of seafood in their dishes.
-A lot of restaurants there are similar to American restaurants
Land Use, Current Issues, and Challenges
-scuba diving, snorkeling, and golfing is very popular there, and attracts a lot of tourists
-contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease
-clean-up of landfill
-protection of endangered species conflicts with development