Tinian
Location: 15.08N, 145.75E
Elevation: 178m (583 ft.)
Area 102 sq. km
Island type: raised coral
Tinian is approximately 10.5 miles long by 5 miles at its widest point and has a total area of 39.2 square miles and a coastline 38 miles in length. The highest point, Puntan Carolinas, is 583 feet above sea level. The principal community is San Jose. Tinian is primarily an agricultural community with a hotel casino opening in 1998. A large portion of Tinian has been leased to the U.S. military. Population 2,631, (1995). Tinian is one of 14 islands in the Northern Marianas archipelago that make up the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Tinian is 5 miles south of Saipan, 63 miles north of Rota and 115 miles north of Guam.
Natural threats: cyclones
Human impact: pop. 714 (1973); formerly heavily cultivated by Japanese; some cultivation; large airstrip; proposed military development.
Ecosystems: limestone forest and scrub, mostly secondary growth; many introduced plants.
Special Features: Small Lake Hagoi in center; important archaeological sites; patch reef south of harbor proposed as marine sanctuary.
Endemism: 1 bird
Species of conservation interest:
Birds
Gallinula chloropus guami (Marianas
Gallinule or Common Moorhen) - group endemic
subspecies, Lake Hagoi
and Marpo Swamp, Rare (RDB) - only 1 observed locally (1974)
Monarcha takatsukasae (Tinian Monarch)
- endemic
Ptilinopus roseicapilla (Marianas
Fruit Dove) - group endemic, Guam, Rota, Tinian, Saipan,
Vulnerable (RDB), rare
on Tinian
Anas oustaleti (Marianas Mallard)* -
group endemic, Endangered (RDB), possibly present, Lake Hagoi.
Ratings:
Natural conservation status 0
Ecosystem richness 1
Species richness 1
Economic pressure 0
Human threat 1
Natural vulnerability 1
Practicality of conservation action 1
Reliability of data 1
Human Impact 1
Conservation Importance 14
Uracas Maug Ascuncion Agrigan Pagan Alamagan Guguan Sarigan Anatahan Medinilla