.JPG) Satellite view, with Naftan Rock visible to the southwest | |
 | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 14°51′13″N145°33′34″E / 14.85361°N 145.55944°E /14.85361; 145.55944 |
| Archipelago | Northern Mariana Islands |
| Area | 7.01 km2 (2.71 sq mi)[1] |
| Length | 4.7 km (2.92 mi) |
| Width | 1.8 km (1.12 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 157 m (515 ft) |
| Administration | |
United States | |
| Commonwealth | Northern Mariana Islands |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 25 (2022) |
Aguijan (/æɡɪˈjɑːn/;Spanish:Aguiján[aɡiˈxan]; alsoAguiguan andAguihan, based on theSpanish rendition of the native name) is a small bean-shaped uninhabitedcoralline island in theNorthern Mariana Islands chain in thePacific Ocean. It is situated 8 kilometers (5.0 mi) south-west ofTinian, from which it is separated by theTinian Channel. Aguijan and neighboringTinian Island together formTinian Municipality, one of the four main political divisions that comprise the Northern Marianas. The island is inhabited by wild goats and the last known habitat of a rare Pacific bat, as well as many species of birds. During WW2 a Japanese garrison was on the island, which surrendered at the end of the War without a battle. Access to the island is inhibited by the lack of a natural harbor.
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It is likely that first sighting by Europeans occurred during the Spanish expedition ofFerdinand Magellan, or by its continuation byGonzalo Gómez de Espinosa being charted asSanto Ángel. It was visited by the Spanish missionaryDiego Luis de San Vitores in 1669.[2]
In the mid-19th century it was known that goats were introduced to the island.[3] In the 1930s there was an attempt to grow sugar cane here, and areas were cleared for this purpose.[3]
Aguijan was administered as part of the Spanish Mariana Islands from the 16th century to 1899, when the Northern Marianas were sold by Spain to theGerman Empire. Under Germany, it was administered as part ofGerman New Guinea. DuringWorld War I, Aguijan came under the control of theEmpire of Japan and was administered as part of theSouth Seas Mandate. DuringWorld War II, theImperial Japanese Army maintained a garrison on Aguijan. This garrison is noteworthy because of its surrender toAllied forces September 4, 1945, two days after thesurrender of Japan. The surrender was unique as it was the only surrender hosted by aU.S. Coast Guard Cutter, theUSCG 83525.US Navy Admiral Marshall R. Greer received the surrender of the Japanese Second Lieutenant Kinichi Yamada.[4]
Following World War II, Aguijan came under the control of theUnited States and was administered as part of theTrust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Since 1978, the island has been part of theCommonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, which along with the rest of the CNMI became part of the United States in the late 20th century.
In modern times the island is calledAguijan Island or Aguiguan, or it also goes by Goat Island.[5][6] It is known for its population of feral goats, but is also the last known habitat for thePacific sheath-tailed bat (Emballonura semicaudata rotensis).[6] It's currently known to have over 1000 feral goats which have inhabited the island for around two centuries.[3] Additionally, the island is home to many species of birds.[3]
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Aguijan is only 7.09 square kilometers (2.74 sq mi) in size, with a length of 4.7 km (2.9 mi) and a width of 1.8 km (1.1 mi).[5] The island is a mix of forests and fields, and home to many species native to the Marianas, especially some rare bird species.[3]
The island has an area of about 7.3 km2 and is uninhabited but visited periodically.[5] Due to its sheer steep cliffs, the island has no natural harbor, bay, or beaches, therefore making it difficult for boats to land on.[3] However, a 2002 survey of the island found a handful of native species there, including theMariana fruit bat, the Polynesiansheath-tailed bat and theMicronesian megapodeMegapodius laperouse.
The Tastumi fishing bank is also in this area.[5]
Approximately 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) off the south-west shore of Aguijan is Naftan Rock, 18 meters (59 ft) in elevation.[7]
Aguijan and Naftan Rock have been recognised as anImportant Bird Area (IBA) byBirdLife International because they support populations ofMicronesian megapodes,white-throated ground doves,Mariana fruit doves,Mariana swiftlets,Micronesian myzomelas,rufous fantails,Aguijan reed warblers,golden andSaipan white-eyes, andMicronesian starlings. Aguijan also supportsseabird breeding colonies, with 120 pairs ofbrown boobies and 450 pairs ofbrown noddies reported, while Naftan Rock is home to several thousand seabirds.[8]
From the websitehttps://web.archive.org/web/20110728145947/http://www.uscg83footers.org/new_page_8.htm - Vessel corrected to be the Coast Guard Cutter 83525 Researched by Larry Richter, USCG Ret
| Colonies |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concessions |
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| Unrecognised |
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