 The 14 tropical islands comprising the Northern Marianas chain stretch across 400 miles in the western Pacific Ocean, just adjacent to the famed Marianas Trench, with the world's greatest known ocean depth of 35,810 feet.
Volcanic in origin, the Marianas lie approximately 1,300 miles south of Tokyo, 1,400 miles east of Manila, 3,200 miles west of Honolulu, and 2,900 miles north of Sydney.
Saipan, the largest and most populated island in the group, measures 13 miles long and 6 miles across at its widest point (area 47 square miles). Saipan's western shore is almost completely encircled by a huge barrier reef creating a beautiful, calm lagoon with sparkling white sand beaches.
The Northern Marianas enjoy one of the most stable climates in the world with abundant year-round sunshine and refreshingly clean air and water. Average year-round temperature is 84 degrees Fahrenheit with an average humidity of 79%. The ocean temperature averages 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Occasional passing rain showers and gentle prevailing northeast tradewinds provide an environment that has been descried by travel writers as, "as perfect as it gets."
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