Saipan, Guam, Yap, Palau are not in the South Pacific

[Zeagle Eagle]

Saipan, Guam, Yap and Palau are not in the South Pacific. They are all north of the equator. They are in the North Pacific ocean.

[scubarobin]

Originally Posted by Zeagle Eagle

Saipan, Guam, Yap and Palau are not in the South Pacific. They are all north of the equator. They are in the North Pacific ocean.

Technically you are correct, but culturally and travelwise, they are in the same geographical area as all those islands that are wonderful tropical diving. Most people refer to that whole area as South Pacific. Hawaii is the only dive destination I know of that is considered Pacific but not South Pacific.

It is the same thing with Florida Keys, Bahamas, and Turks & Caicos. They are not IN the Caribbean, they are in the Atlantic Ocean as they are above Cuba which is the dividing line... but everyone still considers them Caribbean dive destinations.

[navyhmc]

You mean the Keys Tuks and Caicos aren't Caribbean? I will admit I have always considered them so. Bahamas too. "Well, Jane, that goes to show you...There's always something"

[Zeagle Eagle]

Originally Posted by scubarobin

Technically you are correct, but culturally and travelwise, they are in the same geographical area as all those islands that are wonderful tropical diving. Most people refer to that whole area as South Pacific. Hawaii is the only dive destination I know of that is considered Pacific but not South Pacific.

It is the same thing with Florida Keys, Bahamas, and Turks & Caicos. They are not IN the Caribbean, they are in the Atlantic Ocean as they are above Cuba which is the dividing line... but everyone still considers them Caribbean dive destinations.

"Now that's just silly, have you met everyone on the planet? ( Line from Two Weeks Notice).


Fact: Guam is in the North Pacific. Guam is almost 1600 miles North of New Guinea. That's like New York to Central America. I also think that most Guamanians, Yapese, Palauans; etc, would beg to differ on the culture thing. Guam, Yap, and Saipan have closer ties to the US than any South Pac nation. As a matter of fact Guam is a US territory and they are represented in Washington DC with their own Congressmen and Senators. It is very much like Hawaii. Many of the locals on Guam are from the Philippines. Saipan became part of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in 1986, Yap is part of the Federated States of Micronesia. They pretty much do their own thing and do have close ties to the South Pacific.


Basically this whole South Pacific thing is an advertising gimmick. No one wants to dive/travel to the North Pacific (icebergs, polar bears) when they can dive in the South Pacific (Coconut Palms swaying in the breeze, azure seas and sugary beaches)

All that being said it is some of the finest diving on the planet whether we consider it to be South Pac or North I suppose is a matter of advertising...er I mean perception.

[petronius]

Originally Posted by Zeagle Eagle

As a matter of fact Guam is a US territory and they are represented in Washington DC with their own Congressmen and Senators. ... No one wants to dive/travel to the North Pacific (icebergs, polar bears..yea, I know they live only at the South Pole) ...

Weeellll, since we're being pedantic, I have to point out that territories don't get Senators, they have non-voting Delegates to Congress. And I do hope you're joking about the polar bear thing...

[scubarobin]

Originally Posted by Zeagle Eagle

"Now that's just silly, have you met everyone on the planet? ( Line from Two Weeks Notice).


Fact: Guam is in the North Pacific. Guam is almost 1600 miles North of New Guinea. That's like New York to Central America. I also think that most Guamanians, Yapese, Palauans; etc, would beg to differ on the culture thing. Guam, Yap, and Saipan have closer ties to the US than any South Pac nation. As a matter of fact Guam is a US territory and they are represented in Washington DC with their own Congressmen and Senators. It is very much like Hawaii. Many of the locals on Guam are from the Philippines. Saipan became part of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in 1986, Yap is part of the Federated States of Micronesia. They pretty much do their own thing and do have close ties to the South Pacific.


Basically this whole South Pacific thing is an advertising gimmick. No one wants to dive/travel to the North Pacific (icebergs, polar bears...yea, I know they live only at the South Pole) when they can dive in the South Pacific (Coconut Palms swaying in the breeze, azure seas and sugary beaches)

All that being said it is some of the finest diving on the planet whether we consider it to be South Pac or North I suppose is a matter of advertising...er I mean perception.

yes, I am perfectly aware of Micronesia and where it is located. I have been there, too. I also know that polar bears are at the North Pole!

[Zeagle Eagle]

Originally Posted by petronius

Weeellll, since we're being pedantic, I have to point out that territories don't get Senators, they have non-voting Delegates to Congress. And I do hope you're joking about the polar bear thing...

Guam has a territorial legislature, like all states who have their own state legislatures. Guam currently has 15 senators. The Texas Senate, for example has 31 senators in their state senate.
You are correct about the Polar Bears what can I tell you it was late. It's the penguins that live in the southern hemisphere. Now, Santa Claus lives at the North Pole. I am pretty sure about that one.
BTW, when were you in Guam and where did you dive?

[navyhmc]

Originally Posted by scubarobin

yes, I am perfectly aware of Micronesia and where it is located. I have been there, too. I also know that polar bears are at the North Pole!

Aaand how long were you planning on keeping this information from the rest of us!!????

[Desert_Diver]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

Aaand how long were you planning on keeping this information from the rest of us!!????

Robin comes from a Wing Nut Environment. She was just taking pity on you geographically challenged Swab Jockies.

[navyhmc]

Not a swab jockey, not a shell back...hell, I never served on a ship!!!! Spent time in brick and mortar and USMC...

Am a blue nose though-28 days in feb '85 300 miles north of Point Barrow AK.