The Island of Saipan is located in the Pacific ocean, and is part of the Mariana Islands. It is the second largest of these islands after Guam. While it is the largest of the Marianas it is only 44.55 square miles. The state of Rhode Island is 1,212 square miles 27 time larger than Saipan. Saipan Was originally controlled by the Spanish, then by the Germans, followed by the Japanese, and Finally After the World War II Saipan became a commonwealth of the United States of America. Because of The Battle of Saipan surrounding the island you can find old tanks, planes and other World War II weapons and atrifacts. Continue reading for more information on the histroy of Saipan.
Spanish Control 
In February of 1600 a Spanish ship called Santa Margarita wrecked on Saipan and the survivors lived there for two years before they were rescued. After that the Spanish formally occupied Saipan starting in 1668 at which time the native population decreased dramatically due to disease introduced by the Europeans. Around the year 1720 the natives were forced to move to the nearby island of Guam. While under Spanish Control Saipan was used for ranches for raising cattle and pigs.
German Control 
After the Spanish-American War of 1898, the island was occupied by the United States but in 1899 it was sold to the Germans buy Spain who still owned the island. During the time Germany controlled Saipan there were no efforts to develop or even settle the island so it remained mostly inhabited by the Spanish and natives.
Japanese Control 
Fifteen years later in 1914 during World War I Saipan was captured by the Empire of Japan and took control in 1918. and two years later Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, and Okinawans began to migrate to the island and began to develop sugar plantations.
World War II and the Battle of Saipan
Saipan was considered to be part of the last line of defenses for Japan during World War II. The Imperial Japanese Army and Navy occupied the island and set up many defenses. Starting on June 15 through July 9 1944 The Battle of Saipan took place in which US Marines landed on the beaches of the island and fought to take control of the island away from the Japanese. America lost 3,426 soldiers and another 10,364 were wounded. During the Battle of Saipan more than 1,000 people committed suicide by jumping off of what is now called Suicide Cliff. They were convinced by Japanese Propaganda that if they were captured the Americans would rape them and eat their children.
After the War 
After the war nearly all of the surviving Japanese settlers were sent back to Japan. at that point Saipan became part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands which was administrated by the United States. In the 1970's the people of the Mariana Islands decided not to seek full independence and instead create closer links to the United States. And in 1978 Saipan became a Commonwealth of the United States
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