Saipan is the main island of Mariana Islands (Federation). Saipan and its adjacent islands are close to Asia and belong to the edge of the Pacific Ocean. The northern mariana islands have a pleasant climate, with plenty of sunshine all year round, fresh air, clear water and young sand. The average annual temperature is around 27 degrees Celsius, making it a paradise for traveling and vacationing.
The beaches of Saipan extend from west to south. The eastern coast is rocky and uneven, while the northern coast is steep cliffs. This island is 23 kilometers long and 8 kilometers wide. You can explore the jungle on the island all day. Throughout the island, there are traces and memories left by World War II, and survivors and their families often hold memorial ceremonies on the island.
1986 officially joined the United States, and national defense and diplomacy are under the unified jurisdiction of the US government. On June 28, 2009, immigration and labor affairs were managed by the United States. The political system is a representative democracy of the president, and the executive, legislative and judicial powers are separated. The governor is the head of government and implements a multi-party system. The Governor and Councillors are also elected by voters.
The garment processing industry was once one of the main economic pillars of Saipan. Before 200 1, due to the quota restriction of imported textiles in the United States, the garment processing industry chose to set up a factory in Saipan in the United States to bypass the quota restriction. At its peak in the mid-1990s, there were more than 30 garment factories with 30,000 employees on the island. At that time, the Northern Mariana Federation was not restricted by American labor law, and the treatment of garment factory workers often violated American labor law. The local government's handling of labor affairs has been condemned by the American media. 200 1, the United States canceled the textile import quota, Saipan's advantage disappeared, and garment factories moved to Asian countries with cheap labor. In 2009, the last clothing factory in Saipan closed down.
Another economic pillar of Saipan is tourism. In 2009, among the tourists visiting Saipan, 6 1% came from Japan, 28% from South Korea, 9% from China and 2% from Russian and other countries.
The main agricultural products in Saipan are cassava, cattle, coconut, papaya, breadfruit, tomato and melon. Agriculture plays a small role in the economy. Tianning Island's dense jungle contains a magical pepper-Tianning pepper. Tianning Island, a unique wild pepper, is the smallest pepper known in the world at present. It is called "Donne SALI" by local Turkish residents, which means "seeds sown by jungle birds". This kind of pepper is petite, but it has an explosive spicy taste (10 times that of ordinary pepper). Even if you taste it, you can feel a fire from your heart to your throat. Its "spicy" is beyond doubt!
A long time ago, the Japanese invested heavily in the island and developed industries such as marijuana, bananas and precious trees. Recently, it has been gradually replaced by new investments from South Korea and South Asia. The main agricultural products are cattle, beef and pork. Imported products are mainly vegetables-based food and daily industrial products.
Economic overview As the Convention stipulates that the Northern Mariana Islands have the autonomy of customs, entry and exit administration and minimum wage, products exported to the United States can also be exempted from customs duties and labeled as "Made in America". /kloc-in the 1980s, Saipan's garment manufacturing industry developed rapidly, and in its heyday (around 2000), more than 10,000 foreign workers (mainly Chinese mainland women) were employed. Other industries also rely heavily on foreign labor, such as Filipino domestic helpers and South Asian security guards. Another major economic force in Saipan is tourism. Saipan, like Guam, began to develop tourism in the 1970s. Because Saipan is close to Japan and has historical origins, Japan is the main source of tourists (including Japanese soldiers who died in battle and civilian survivors who regularly come to sacrifice), reaching hundreds of thousands every year at its peak. Although Saipan's agriculture is not as strong as tourism and migrant workers' economic strength, it is relatively developed locally, rich in coconuts, sugar cane, rice, bananas and cassava. However, with the economic recession in Japan, Saipan tourism has also been hit, especially after the withdrawal of Japan Airlines in 2005. In recent years, the industry began to develop Korean, Chinese mainland and even Russian tourists (in the Far East), but it still failed to make up for the loss of Japanese tourists.
In the clothing industry, since 2005, the tariff system of the World Trade Organization has changed, which has gradually reduced the competitiveness of Saipan, and garment factories have moved to other countries or closed down, leaving only half of their heyday in mid-2007. After the US Democratic Party took control of Congress in 2007, it successfully legislated to raise the minimum wage. Since mid-2007, it has increased from the original $3.05 per hour to $0.50 per year (until it reaches the level of other parts of the United States). By February 2009, more than 30 garment factories in Saipan had completely closed down. In 2008, the US Congress passed a law commonly known as "federalization", which is scheduled to take over the entry and exit administration of the Northern Mariana Islands on June 1 2009. The original foreign workers on the island will gradually be changed into visas issued by the US government according to the contract period, and the number of foreign workers will gradually decrease. In addition, "federalization" will unify the list of visa-free countries in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. According to the announcement of US Department of Homeland Security on June 5438+ 10, 2009, Chinese mainland and Russia have not been included in the signature-free list. In March 2009, the US Department of Homeland Security announced that the take-over date of the Northern Mariana Islands Exit-Entry Administration had been postponed to165438+1October 28th, and Chinese and Russian tourists could still travel to Saipan temporarily without US visas.
The island has a subtropical maritime climate all year round, with no distinction between winter and summer. The annual temperature difference is 1-2 degrees, with rainy season in July and August and dry season in February and February. The annual average daily temperature is 28-29 degrees and the relative humidity is 80%. Most tropical barometers and typhoons that pass through the northern hemisphere from August to September are generated in the Pacific Ocean near Guam. The entire Mariana Island is basically surrounded by typhoons, but it rarely causes disasters.
Saipan is located between the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and it is calm all year round. Saipan is a very beautiful and charming island with pleasant climate and simple folk customs.
diving
Saipan is known as the first diving place in the world because of its changeable terrain and ultra-transparent seawater. Precious and colorful fish make this sea area show the infinite charm of "potential" The diving spots in Saipan are all around the island, and there are 18 diving spots formed by atolls. It takes only 30 to 40 minutes to reach the farthest diving spot by boat. Saipan is rich in shallow water resources, including snorkeling, cave diving and deep water diving. Both junior divers and experienced divers can find their favorite diving spots here.
In addition to Blue Cave, Warship Island and Viva Cliff, Saipan has the following high-quality diving sites to choose from:
Baby Beach (Bobo Beach)
This is the most popular beach in the north of Saipan, located behind JAL Hotel in Santirocco District. Seeing the whole family swimming, playing and diving together at the seaside is the most common scene.
Tanapag beach
Located in the midwest of Saipan, it is the most representative diving spot in Saipan. Simple terrain, very suitable for beginners and snorkelers. The bottom material is the terrain where coral reefs and sand alternate, and there are ropes for divers to climb, which is very safe. You can see coral fish such as anemone clown fish, butterfly fish and snapper, which attracts many friends who try diving for the first time.
Ice cream reef
Located on the southwest coast of Saipan, the water depth is about15m. This diving spot is as interesting as its name. You can often see groups of lovely rays here. There are layers of beautiful soft corals everywhere, surrounded by groups of tropical fish, which are very beautiful and very suitable for junior divers, but be careful not to step on coral reefs.
Obyan beach
Located on the south side of Saipan, it is a diving spot with a water depth of about15m. It is a gentle slope terrain where reefs and white sands crisscross, with good visibility and transparency like Crystal Palace. In addition to the coral fish on the reef plate, groups of garden eels can be seen on the beach. Because it is difficult to get in and out of the upper and lower inlets, it is best to be guided, which is very suitable for snorkeling and junior divers.
Naftan Beach (Naftan Beach)
Located at the southern tip of Saipan, with a depth of15 ~ 30m, it is a very exciting and interesting diving place. After passing through a wide shed, the mausoleum line suddenly dropped by several hundred meters. In addition to abundant coral fish, large migratory fish also appear frequently, which is suitable for people of medium level.
Stepped beach
This beach is located on the south side of Saipan, with many strange stones washed away by the waves, and few people playing in the water, so it has a good sense of privacy. The tide is fast here, so be careful when diving.
Akingan Beach
The beautiful shining white sand beach is the favorite fishing ground of local people, located behind the Coral Seascape Resort Club. Seawater is incredibly transparent and clear, which is very suitable for diving. Because the geology is a rocky shore, you must wear frog shoes to avoid injury.
Landing on the beach
This is the place where the US military landed for the first time during World War II, and the landing monument can be seen nearby. The sea is calm and the water quality is as transparent as a mirror. Swimming and snorkeling are quite popular.