KH0N-Saipan

Tony, JA6CNL will serve as KH0N at IOTA OC – 086, Saipan, June 6-12, 2024.
He will be responsible for the HF band operations, mainly FT8 and FT4.
Nearest DX Point KH0N
QSL via Family Call.
Direct QSL advertising:
TONY FURUMI, PO BOX 11, YAWATA, 805-8691, JAPAN.

Edge of the World: Saipan

The Mariana Islands are located in the westernmost part of the Pacific Ocean, at the junction of tectonic plates, and extend in an arc. This is one of the largest archipelagos in the world: it includes 15 large islands with a total area of ​​just over a thousand square kilometers. Territorially, the Mariana Islands are divided into two political units: independent Guam and the North Island Community. Saipan is the largest island in the North Island Community, where all political and economic activities of the archipelago are concentrated.

Saipan. Author – David B..

A Peek into the Abyss: Geography and Climate

Saipan is one of the islands farthest from the mainland, about 3,000 kilometers from the nearest coast. The island is washed by the Pacific Ocean on all sides. Due to the large number of coral reefs along the coast, the coastline is protected from turbulent currents and storm waves.

Saipan is the second largest island in the archipelago, with a total area of ​​approximately 120 square kilometers, including coastal features. Although Saipan is almost five times smaller than Guam, it is home to the majority of the archipelago’s northern population – more than 50,000 people according to the 2016 census.

Saipan can be divided into two parts, the west and the east. The western part is volcanic and has a flat surface, many beaches, and little elevation change. Most settlements are located in the west of Saipan.

This is due to the influx of tourists who are attracted by the tranquil shallow lagoons and coral reefs surrounded by evergreen forests. The eastern end of Saipan is characterized by a rocky face ending in a steep cliff. This is where the famous Mariana Trench begins, the deepest place on Earth.

Saipan has a diverse flora and fauna, with thousands of species of plants, animals and fish, many of which are endemic to the island and listed in the international Red Data Book.

Fruit trees, exotic flowers, orchids, green iguanas and rainbow-colored lizards—most of the exotic species are concentrated in the Saipan Botanical Gardens, which are open to the public.

The climate of Saipan is unusually flat and unpredictable: the island was even included in the Guinness Book of Records as the region with the smallest temperature differences throughout the year. The average annual temperature is between +25 and +27 degrees Celsius – even during the rainy season, the temperature does not drop, which can give inexperienced travelers contradictory feelings.

Coral Alley at Olai, Saipan. Author – amanderson2.

From Hand to Hand: History and Present

Saipan’s first settlers appeared long before humans sailed to the sea – around 2000 BC. However, the island was not known to the public until the 17th century, when a Spanish mission landed on the island. The Marianas were incorporated into the Spanish Empire. Saipan is the largest and most developed island in the archipelago, and its use as an international port was the impetus for its development.

Unfortunately, the island has not escaped a typical colonial history. At the end of the 18th century, Saipan was occupied by the United States. After two years of bloody war, the island was sold to Germany, and it was not until 1915 that it was taken over by the Japanese Empire. After World War II, Saipan voluntarily joined the United States’ overseas colonies in the Pacific Islands.

In the late 1980s, the Mariana Islands signed a final voluntary association agreement with the United States, granting the Mariana Islands the status of an independent political unit with its own executive and legislative powers.

Paradise: Tourism Infrastructure

Saipan is arguably the most touristically attractive island in the archipelago. It is worth noting that the Marianas themselves are not very popular with tourists – the reasons are the distance from the mainland, high prices and a certain mystery of the area. Few people know that this archipelago offers a full range of tourist services: from a quiet beach holiday to extreme diving, reaching depths of hundreds of meters.

Saipan is the center of tourism in the archipelago. In terms of the number of hotels, shops, shopping centers, restaurants and bars, it is far ahead of the much larger Guam. Having said that, all the nightlife is concentrated in the town of Garapan. Unfortunately, prices in Saipan are slightly higher than elsewhere in the region and are comparable to those in Japan. You can rent a room for a few hundred dollars a day – fortunately, due to the warm climate, you can stay in private bungalows. KH0N. Where is Saipan. Map.

Public transportation in Saipan is still in its infancy – it is recommended to use car rental services or rent a boat. In addition, Saipan does not have all the charm of the industrial revolution: there are no industrial parks or polluting factories.

Ecologically clean air and water, a surprisingly mild and predictable climate, and the absence of dangerous insects, jellyfish and snakes make Saipan an ideal place for lovers of exotic vacations.

KH0N. Where is Saipan? Map.