Page 81 - Pacific Paradises 2019

— Micronesia —

NORTHERN
MARIANA
ISLANDS
SAIPAN
ROTA TINIAN
GUAM MARSHALL ISLANDS

FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA
POHNPEI
YAP
PALAU CHUUK KOSRAE
WESTERN CAROLINE ISLANDS

EASTERN CAROLINE ISLANDS
GILBERTS GROUP

KIRIBATI

PHOENIX GROUP

MICRONESIA

The islands of Micronesia are Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana biodiverse underwater environments, which
spread over a great distance, Islands (commonly referred to as the make scuba diving here excellent. Birds and
yet each has its own culture and Marianas or Northern Marianas) with plants abound on all of Micronesia’s islands.
topographical personality. Set in Saipan the capital. The sights
sparkling waters which change The people Geologically, culturally and naturally
shades of colour from deep blue The whole of Micronesia has fewer diverse, the islands of Micronesia offer
through to sea green, each one is than 500,000 people. The region was a wide range of natural and man-made
ringed by coral reefs. settled about 2000 to 3000 years ago by attractions to suit every taste.
an ancient seafaring race from areas in
Your first glimpse of these ‘pearls’ of the These differ from pristine underwater
Pacific are of specks of land surrounded South-East Asia who migrated into, and environments and lush island landscapes
by necklaces of white waves. Each island is successively colonised, the islands. English to sprawling resort areas with shopping
covered in lush tropical vegetation, but the is widely spoken in addition to a number of and nightlife.
real action is underwater where there is some indigenous languages, including Chamorro, Where to stay
of the richest and most varied marine life to Palauan, Yapese, Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Each island differs in accommodation.
be found anywhere in the world. Kosraean and Marshallese. The more developed islands such as Guam,
Capital and major centres Nature Saipan and Palau have international hotels.
The islands vary in size and The islands of Micronesia are naturally Rota also has several new hotels and a
political status. The most well known is diverse and include high volcanic islands, resort with an 18–hole golf course. In the
Guam, which is an American territory and such as Pohnpei and Kosrae, raised coral Marshall Islands guest accommodation on
serves as a gateway to the other island groups. islands such as Guam and Saipan, and coral some of the outer islands is in traditional
atolls such as the Marshall Islands.
The islands of Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk), thatched huts with few amenities.
Kosrae and Yap elected to join a The inhabited areas vary from villages Food and entertainment
federal government known as the Federated without cars or electricity, to the The islands that are best equipped
States of Micronesia with headquarters in sophisticated resort areas of Guam for tourism offer world-class seafood
Pohnpei. Palau and the Marshall Islands and Saipan. restaurants. In Guam, Palau and Saipan
voted to remain independent and have The underwater wildlife is particularly enjoy a variety of cuisine including
established autonomous governments. diverse, with the islands of Micronesia American, Japanese, Korean, Chinese,
Saipan, Rota and Tinian became the offering some of the most pristine and Filipino, Mexican and Chamorro.

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