Over many hundreds of years, the Mariana Islands have been named various names. Below is a snapshot of the islands and some of their other names -- the list starts with the northernmost island and heads south. This information has been gathered from various sources. (See
Full List of Sources)
FARALLON DE PAJAROS
Description: This northernmost island appears as a steep volcanic cone emerging from the sea. The volcano has erupted at least 16 times since since records began in the mid 1800's, most recently in 1967. (
Source: CNMI Department of Public Lands; https://www.dpl.gov.mp)
Other Names: Urach, Uracas, San Agustin Volcano (
History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales & Le Gobien, pg. 85)
MAUG
Description: Three islands, the caldera of an ancient volcano form the Maug Islands. Where the volcano cone was is now a deep and spacious natural harbor. During World War II (1939-1945) the islands were used by the Japanese as a weather station. (
Source: CNMI Department of Public Lands; https://www.dpl.gov.mp)
Other Names: Mang, Tunas, Isles of San Lorenzo (
History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales & Le Gobien, pg. 85)
ASUNCION
Description: Asuncion is a tall, emergent stratovolcano. The volcano is asymmetrical with the northeast slopes being the steepest and terminating in high cliffs. The southwestern slopes, by contrast, are shallower and meet the sea in low cliffs. (
Source: CNMI Department of Public Lands; https://www.dpl.gov.mp)
Other Names: Asonsong (
History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales & Le Gobien, pg. 85)
AGRIHAN
Description: Agrihan was evacuated in 1990 due to the threat of volcanic activity, although in the end no erruption occurred. A settlement has since been reestablished in one of the four original villages. (
Source: CNMI Department of Public Lands; https://www.dpl.gov.mp)
Other Names: Agrigan, Island of San Francisco Javier (
History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales & Le Gobien, pg. 85)
PAGAN
Description: Pagan consists of two stratovolcanoes joined by a narrow strip of land. It was inhabited during historical times, but a 1981 eruption forced the evacuation of its inhabitants. (
Source: CNMI Department of Public Lands; https://www.dpl.gov.mp)
Other Names: Pagón, San Ignacio Island (
History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales & Le Gobien, pg. 85)
ALAMAGAN
Description: The island's volcano (Bandeera Peak) has a large caldera at the summit. The volcano last erupted in 1917. Historically the island has been sporadically populated. (
Source: CNMI Department of Public Lands; https://www.dpl.gov.mp)
Other Names: Amalagan, Isla de la Conception(
History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales & Le Gobien, pg. 84)
GUGUAN
Description: Guguan contains two volcanos (one which is active). A major eruption in 1883 produced pyroclastic flows as well as lava flows. In the early 1980's Guguan was set aside as a nature preserve by the CNMI. It has never been permanently settled by humans. (
Source: CNMI Department of Public Lands; https://www.dpl.gov.mp)
Other Names: Guaguan, San Felipe Island (
History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales & Le Gobien, pg. 85)
SARIGAN
Description: Sarigan is a stratovolcano with no known historic eruptions. However, a swarm of volcano-tectonic earthquakes took place here in the summer of 2005. Landing on Sarigan is difficult due to perpendicular cliffs surrounding the island. From 1900 until 1945 Sarigan had a Chamorro population that worked on copra production. Today the island is a nature preserve. (
Source: CNMI Department of Public Lands; https://www.dpl.gov.mp)
Other Names: San Carlos Island (
History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales & Le Gobien, pg. 85)
ANATAHAN
Description: Anatahan is one of the most active volcanoes of the northern Mariana Islands. The first historical eruption of Anatahan did not occur until May 2003 when a large explosive eruption took place forming a new crater inside the eastern caldera. (
Source: CNMI Department of Public Lands; https://www.dpl.gov.mp)
Other Names: Anatajan, San Joaquín Island (
History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales & Le Gobien, pg. 85)
FARALLON DE MEDINILLA
Description: Farallon de Medinilla is an uninhabited coral island which is approximately 1/2 square mile in area. For years the U.S.Navy has used it for military and bombing exercises. In a 2002 lawsuit the Center for Biological Diversity charged the Navy with the destruction of wildlife habitat on the island. A subsequent court ruling ordered the Defense Department to cease bombing exercises on Farallon de Medinilla until they came in compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. (
Source: CNMI Department of Public Lands; https://www.dpl.gov.mp)
SAIPAN
Description: Saipan is the largest island and site of the capital of the CNMI. The western side of the island has beaches and a coral reef, while the eastern shore is composed primarily of rugged rocky cliffs. Its highest point is the extinct volcano Mount Tapochau. (
Source: CNMI Department of Public Lands; https://www.dpl.gov.mp)
Other Names: San José Island (
History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales & Le Gobien, pg. 85)
TINIAN
Description: Tinian is lightly populated today but was heavily garrisoned by Japanese forces in World War II. Tinian passed through Spanish and German hands after World War I prior to becoming a protectorate of Japan. Under Japanese administration, Tinian was largely a sugar plantation. (
Source: CNMI Department of Public Lands; https://www.dpl.gov.mp)
Other Names: Buena Vista Mariana Island (
History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales & Le Gobien, pg. 85)
AGUIJAN
Description:
Other Names: Aguiguan, Santo Ángel (
History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales & Le Gobien, pg. 85)
ROTA
Description: Rota is the southernmost island of the CNMI. It lies slightly northwest of the United States territory of Guam. Rota stands out as a pristine and untarnished island boasting white sandy beaches, a diverse flora and fauna, and breathtaking panoramas all attributed to the lack of overt development. (
Source: CNMI Department of Public Lands; https://www.dpl.gov.mp)
Other Names: Zarpana, Santa Ana Island (
History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales & Le Gobien, pg. 85)
GUAM
Description: Guam, the largest and southernmost of the entire Mariana Islands chain, is located in the Western Pacific in the geographic region known as Micronesia. Guam is well known for its strategic military and economic position between Asia and the North American continent. Guam is the site of the first Roman Catholic mission and formal European colony in the Pacific islands. In fact, the last 500 years of Guam's history are marked by administrations of three different colonial powers: Spain, the United States and Japan. (
Source: Guampedia; www.guampedia.com)
Other Names: Guahan, San Juan [Bautista] Island (
History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales & Le Gobien, pg. 85)