The Mariana Islands (also the Marianas; up to the early 20th century sometimes called Ladrones Islands, from Spanish ''Islas de los Ladrones'' meaning "Islands of Thieves") are an arc-shaped archipelago made up by the summits of fifteen volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels north and along the 145th meridian east. They are south of Japan and north of New Guinea, and immediately to the east of the Philippine Sea. The south end of the Marianas chain is the island of Guam. The islands were named after Spanish Queen Mariana of Austria in the 17th century, when Spain started the colonization of the archipielago.

The islands are part of a geologic structure known as the Izu-Bonin-Mariana Arc system, and range in age from 5 million years old in the north to 30 million years old in the south (Guam). The island chain arises as a result of the western edge of the Pacific Plate moving westward and plunging downward below the Mariana plate, a region which is the most volcanically active convergent plate boundary on Earth. This subduction region, just east of the island chain, forms the noted Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the Earth's oceans and lowest part of Earth's crust. In this region, according to geologic theory, water trapped in the extensive faulting of the Pacific Plate as serpentinite, is heated by the higher temperatures of depth during its subduction, and the pressure from the expanding steam results in the hydrothermal activity in the area, and the volcanic activity which formed the Mariana Islands.

The Marianas Islands are the northern part of the Micronesia island group, although their government is under a different jurisdiction from much of the rest of geographical Micronesia. Today, the Marianas Islands are composed of two U.S. jurisdictions: the territory of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Description

The Mariana Islands are the southern part of a submerged mountain range that extends 1,565 miles (2,519 km) from Guam to near Japan. Geographically, the Marianas are the northernmost islands of a larger island group called Micronesia, situated between 13° and 21°N latitude and 144° and 146°E longitude.

The Mariana Islands have a total land area of 389 square miles (1007 km²). They are composed of two administrative units, Guam, a US territory, and the Northern Mariana Islands (including the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota) which make up a Commonwealth of the United States.

The island chain geographically consists of two subgroups, a northern group of ten volcanic main islands, all are currently uninhabited; and a southern group of five coralline limestone islands (Rota, Guam, Aguijan, Tinian and Saipan), all inhabited except Aguijan. In the northern volcanic group a maximum elevation of about is reached; there are craters showing signs of activity, and earthquakes are not uncommon. Coral reefs fringe the coasts of the southern isles, which are of slight elevation.

Near the islands can be found the lowest point in the Earth's crust, the Mariana Trench.

All the islands except Farallon de Medinilla and Uracas or Farallon de Pajaros (in the northern group) are more or less densely wooded, and the vegetation is dense, much resembling that of the Carolines, and also of the Philippines, from where species of plants have been introduced. Owing to the moistness of the soil cryptogams are numerous, as are also most kinds of grasses. On most of the islands there is a plentiful supply of water.

The fauna of the Marianas, though inferior in number and variety, is similar in character to that of the Carolines, and certain species are indigenous to both island groups. The climate though damp is healthy, while the heat, being tempered by the trade winds, is milder than that of the Philippines; the variations of temperature are not great.

History

Prehistory

The islands are part of a geologic structure known as the Izu-Bonin-Mariana Arc system, and range in age from 5 million years old in the north to 30 million years old in the south (Guam). The islands are formed as the highly dense and very old western edge of the Pacific plate plunges downward to form the floor of the Mariana Trench, and carries trapped water under the Mariana plate as it does so. This water is heated and boiled as the plate is carried further downward, and results in the volcanic activity which has formed the arc of Mariana Islands above this subduction region.

Spanish exploration and control

The first European to see the island group was Ferdinand Magellan who on 6 March 1521 observed the two southernmost islands and sailed between them during a Spanish expedition of world circumnavigation. Upon first landing at Umatac, Guam, Magellan's ships received fresh supplies from the native Chamorros. The common account is that the Chamorros, assuming that they were engaged in a trade, then took one of the Spanish landing boats. The Spanish crew, however, considered this theft and in retaliation attacked the Chamorros and dubbed the islands Islas de los Ladrones (Islands of the Thieves). However, according to Antonio Pigafetta's diary, there was no evidence that the natives thought that the Spaniards were engaging in trade and that they therefore had the implicit right to take the things from Magellan's ships. Pigafetta writes,

''And the captain-general wished to approach the largest of these three islands to replenish his provisions. But it was not possible, for the people of those islands entered the ships and robbed us so that we could not protect ourselves from them. And when we wished to strike and take in the sails so as to land, they stole very quickly the small boat called a skiff which was fastened to the poop of the captain's ship. At which he, being very angry, went ashore with forty armed men. And burning some forty or fifty houses with several boats and killing seven men of the said island, they recovered their skiff.''

The islands are still occasionally called the Ladrones. Magellan himself styled them Islas de las Velas Latinas (Islands of the Lateen Sails). San Lazarus archipelago, Jardines and Prazeres are among the names applied to them by later navigators.

In 1667 Spain formally claimed them, established a regular colony there, and gave the islands the official title of Las Marianas in honor of Spanish Queen Mariana of Austria, widow of Philip IV of Spain. They then had a population of more than 50,000 inhabitants, but many Chamorros died from the infectious diseases brought by the Spanish.

The native population, who referred to themselves as "Tao Tao Tano" (people of the land) but were known to the early Spanish colonists as ''Hachamori'' has died out as a distinct people, though their descendants intermarried. At the Spanish occupation in 1668, the Chamorros were estimated at 50,000, but a century later only 1,800 natives remained, as the majority of the population was of mixed Spanish-Chamorro blood or mestizo. They were characteristic Micronesians, with a considerable civilization. In the island of Tinian are some remarkable remains attributed to them, consisting of two rows of massive square stone columns, about broad and high, with heavy-round capitals called latte stones. According to early Spanish accounts cinerary urns were found embedded in the capitals.

Research in the archipelago was carried out by Commodore Anson, who in August 1742 landed upon the island of Tinian. The Ladrones were visited by Byron in 1765, Wallis in 1767 and Crozet in 1772.

The Marianas and specifically the island of Guam were a stopover for Spanish galleons en route from Acapulco, Mexico to Manila, Philippines in a convoy known as the Galeon de Manila.

Loss from Spain, and split in governance

The Marianas remained a Spanish colony under the general government of the Philippines until 1898, when, as a result of the Spanish-American War, Spain ceded Guam to the United States. Guam has retained a different political character from the remaining islands since this time.

In the Treaty of 12 February 1899, the remaining islands of the Mariana archipelago (except Guam) were sold by Spain to Germany for 837,500 German gold marks (about $4,100,000 at the time). Along with 6000 islands in other island groups, such as the Carolines and Pelew Islands, all formerly under Spanish control but now indefensible by Spain, these islands were now incorporated as a small part of the larger German Protectorate of New Guinea. The total population in the Northern Marianas portion of these islands around this time was only 2,646 inhabitants; the ten most northerly islands being actively volcanic, and almost uninhabited.

Japan, a member of the Triple Entente, began to occupy the Northern Marianas in 1914. After Germany and the rest of the Central Powers lost World War I, many formerly German-controlled islands in the Pacific were entrusted by the League of Nations to Japanese control, as mandate territories (similar to modern United Nations Trust Territories). These islands included the Northern Mariana Islands, but not Guam. Japan used some of the islands during this time for sugarcane production, increasing the population of a few of them modestly.

The island chain saw fighting between the US and Japanese forces in 1944 during World War II. Guam, a U.S. possession from 1898, was captured by Japan in an attack based from the Northern Marianas that began on the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States recaptured Guam in July 1944. The remaining islands were desired by the U.S. as bombing bases to reach the Japanese mainland, with Saipan attacked for that reason even before Guam. Once captured, the islands of Saipan and Tinian were used extensively by the United States military as they finally put mainland Japan within round-trip range of American bombers. In response, Japanese forces attacked the bases on Saipan and Tinian from November 1944 to January 1945. Both the ''Enola Gay'' and the ''Bockscar'' (which dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively) flew their missions from Tinian’s “North Field”.

The direct result of this conflict was that after the war, the Northern Mariana Islands came under U.S. control in the same way they had earlier come under control of Japan after World War I. They have not since united with the territory of Guam, in part due to residual post-war tensions resulting from the very different histories of Guam (occupied by Japan for only 31 months, in wartime) and the Northern Mariana Islands (more peacefully occupied by Japan, for about 30 years). See the main articles above for discussion of present-day politics in these territorial areas.

Ecclesiastical history

The Prefecture Apostolic of the Marianas was erected on 17 September 1902, by the Constitution "Quae mari sinico" of Pope Leo XIII. The islands had previously formed part of the Philippine Diocese of Cebu. By Decree of 18 June 1907 they were entrusted to the Capuchin Fathers of the Westphalian Province, to which order the first Prefect Apostolic, Very Rev. Paul von Kirchhausen (appointed August, 1907; residence in Saipan, Carolina Islands), belonged. There were two public schools, but accommodation was so inadequate that the boys attended in the morning and the girls in the evening. The instruction was given in English, and in addition to the usual elementary subjects, carpentry and other trades were taught. Two priests were stationed at Agana on Guam; one in each of the smaller settlements, Agat and Merizo. In addition to the churches at these places, there is a church at Sumay and several little chapels in the mountains. A priest from Agana visited each month the colony where the lepers are segregated, to celebrate Mass and administer the sacraments. Catholicism was the sole—and remains the primary—religion.

Sources and references

WorldStatesmen- Guam & Northern Marianas

Pascal Horst Lehne and Christoph Gäbler: ''Über die Marianen.'' Lehne-Verlag, Wohldorf in Germany 1972.

L. de Freycinet, ''Voyage autour du monde'' (Paris, 1826–1844)

The Marianas Islands in ''Nautical Magazsile'', xxxiv., xxxv. (London, 1865–1866)

0. Finsch, ''Karolinen und Marianen'' (Hamburg, 1900); Costenoble, Die Marianen in Globus, lxxxviii. (1905).

Category:Geography of the Northern Mariana Islands Category:Micronesia Category:Volcanic arc islands Category:Former Spanish colonies Category:Spanish East Indies Category:Article Feedback 5

ar:جزر الماريانا bg:Мариански острови bs:Marijanska ostrva ca:Illes Mariannes cs:Mariany ch:Islas Mariånas cy:Ynysoedd Mariana de:Marianen et:Mariaanid es:Islas Marianas eo:Marianoj eu:Marianak fr:Îles Mariannes gl:Illas Marianas ko:마리아나 제도 hr:Marijanski otoci it:Isole Marianne he:איי מריאנה kk:Мариана аралдары sw:Visiwa vya Mariana la:Insulae Marianae lt:Marianų salos hu:Mariana-szigetek mk:Маријански Острови mn:Марианы арлууд nl:Marianen ja:マリアナ諸島 no:Marianene nn:Marianane pl:Mariany pt:Ilhas Marianas ro:Insulele Mariane ru:Марианские острова simple:Mariana Islands sk:Mariány sl:Mariansko otočje sr:Marijanska ostrva fi:Mariaanit sv:Marianerna tl:Kapuluang Mariana ta:மரியானா தீவுகள் tg:Мариана uk:Маріанські острови zh:马里亚纳群岛

name	August Burns Red
landscape	yes
background	group_or_band
origin	Lancaster, Pennsylvania
note	DO NOT CHANGE GENRE. Make case on talk page before changing genre.
genre	Metalcore
years active	2003–present
label	Solid State, CI, Hassle
associated acts	Bells
website
current members	Jake LuhrsJB BrubakerBrent RamblerDustin DavidsonMatt Greiner
past members	Jon HersheyJosh McMannessJordan Tuscan }}

August Burns Red is an American metalcore band, from Manheim, Pennsylvania. Formed in 2003, the group began their first performances while a majority of the members were attending their senior year of high school, and soon began playing shows around Lancaster, before being signed to CI Records, and afterward, Solid State Records. The group is primarily known for their heavy breakdowns and odd-meter riffs. They state Between the Buried and Me, Misery Signals and Hopesfall as their main influences.

History

Formation and ''Thrill Seeker'' (2003–2006)

August Burns Red was founded in March 2003 when all the members were attending high school. The original practice sessions of the band began in drummer, Matt Greiner's old egg house and basement on the Greiner family's farmland. After playing many local shows within Lancaster, they recorded their first EP, titled ''Looks Fragile After All'' with label CI Records in 2004.

Vocalist Jon Hershey eventually quit the band during the same year, which led to Josh McManness to take on the position as lead singer, and after several months of playing with McManness, August Burns Red signed to Solid State Records in 2005. Hershey would later go on to form instrumental post-rock band Bells. August Burns Red released ''Thrill Seeker'', their first full-length album, on November 8, 2005. In 2006, drummer Matt Greiner was endorsed by Truth Custom Drums following the release of the album.

''Messengers'' (2006–2009)

McManness departed from the band in 2006, exhausted by the band's constant touring. He was replaced with Columbia, SC resident, Jake Luhrs during the same year. Bassist Jordan Tuscan also left the band in 2006 for similar reasons as McManness. He was replaced by bassist Dustin Davidson, a friend of the band. The band's second album, ''Messengers'', was released on June 19, 2007. Marking the debut for Luhrs fronting the group, it managed to become the band's breakthrough album, reaching number 81 on the ''Billboard'' 200. The album has sold a total of 108,000 copies as of May 2011.

Throughout 2008, August Burns Red toured with several acts across North America and Europe to promote ''Messengers''. From April to May they toured with As I Lay Dying and Misery Signals across the United States and Canada. In September and October of that same year, they headlined a tour with A Skylit Drive, Sky Eats Airplane, Greeley Estates, and This or the Apocalypse in the United States. The band also visited Europe for a month-long headlining tour in November, playing in Germany, Finland, Norway, Sweden, The United Kingdom, Republic Of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and France.

After this series of tours, the band recorded two covers of popular songs. They recorded an instrumental version of the classic song, "Carol of the Bells" for the ''X Christmas'' compilation album, which was featured in trailers for the film, ''The Spirit'', released Christmas Day 2008. They also recorded a cover of "...Baby One More Time" by pop singer Britney Spears for the ''Punk Goes Pop 2'' compilation album, released in March 2009.

On February 24, 2009, the band released an EP, entitled ''Lost Messengers: The Outtakes''. It contains material that is related or was decided not to be included in the final, mastered version of ''Messengers''. August Burns Reds' first trip to the Middle East took place on March 6, 2009 with the band playing at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival. The band's last tour before their next album release took place in the United States, where they toured with metalcore band All That Remains throughout April and May.

''Constellations'' (2009–2011)

To promote their upcoming album, August Burns Red released several new tracks and a music video during June 2009. The tracks ''Thirty and Seven'', ''Existence'', and ''Ocean of Apathy'' were all released on the 15th, 21st, and 29th, respectively. A music video for the song ''Meddler'' was also released during this month. On July 7, a week before the album's release, August Burns Red began streaming the full album on their Myspace profile for a limited time. August Burns Red released their third full-length album, ''Constellations'', on July 14, 2009. During the week of August 1, 2009, the album charted at spot 24 on the ''Billboard'' 200. Another United States tour was organized with August Burns Red headlining and support from Blessthefall, Enter Shikari, All Shall Perish, and Iwrestledabearonce. After this tour, the band joined a short tour in Australia with Architects in support of Australian band Parkway Drive. August Burns Red toured alongside Underoath and Emery in November and December 2009 as well.

The band released their first live CD/DVD, ''Home'', on September 28, 2010. The group co-headlined an ''Alternative Press'' tour throughout November. On February 23, 2010, ''Constellations'' was nominated for the Dove Award for "Best Rock Album".

August Burns Red toured Australia and New Zealand in December 2010 on the No Sleep Til Festival. The band played alongside Parkway Drive, A Day to Remember, NOFX, Dropkick Murphys, Suicide Silence, Megadeth, Descendents, Gwar and many others.

''Leveler'' (2011–present)

On July 27, 2010, lead guitarist, Brubaker stated that the band would be taking time off tour to write their next record, On February 12, 2011, the band announced via their official Facebook page that they had completely finished writing their new record and that they would be entering the studio on Valentine's Day. which, following into March of the next year, the band announced that the record was finished, and that it was (at that point) time for mixing. On the April 5, August Burns Red revealed the name of this upcoming record as ''Leveler''. On May 16, 2011, the band released the song "Empire" as a preview before its release. They also later premiered three other songs: "Internal Cannon", "Divisions", and "Poor Millionaire", on May 31, June 6, and June 14, respectively.

''Leveler'' was released on June 21, 2011 in two forms; standard and deluxe. The deluxe version of ''Leveler'' contains four extra songs, including an acoustic version of the song "Internal Cannon". The album sold particularly well compared to their other releases, with 29,000 of its opening first week-copies being sold in the United States alone. These sales had the record land at position 11 on The Billboard 200 chart. After the release, August Burns Red took part on the main stage of the 2011 Vans Warped Tour.

August Burns Red headlined their own "Leveler" tour on the first quarter of 2012 with Silverstein, Texas In July, I The Breather and Letlive.

Characteristics and image

Musical style

August Burns Red is generally credited as a metalcore band, and have also been said to share traits of other genres such as progressive metal, and thrash metal. August Burns Red songs frequently feature technical or odd time signatures and heavy breakdowns, with a variety of influences including Meshuggah, Between the Buried and Me, Poison the Well, Symphony in Peril and Misery Signals.

While the group has stated that they don't mind being classified as metalcore, Brubaker has grown to a distaste in the genre's usual bands: "I feel like anyone who can pick up and play a guitar and learn to play a metalcore riff and any drummer who can learn to play a thrash beat over a breakdown is doing it. It's almost become very formulaic, and metal to me was never a formulaic genre."

Band name

The group explained the origin of the band's name revolves around an incident involving the group's founding vocalist, Jon Hershey:

}}

However, it was later revealed that this meaning (along with others) were comical stories created by the members and there is no actual meaning behind the band name.

Christian faith

August Burns Red is a Christian band. JB Brubaker mentioned in an interview with ''Shout!'', an online magazine, that "Christianity is a religion, not a style of music" and he would "rather just let the music speak for itself." Brent Rambler commented on the fact that "It is important to us that people know that we are indeed Christians...without having us stand up there and ram it down people's throats."

Members

;Current

JB Brubaker − lead guitar (since 2003)

Brent Rambler − rhythm guitar (since 2003)

Matt Greiner − drums, piano (since 2003)

Dustin Davidson − bass guitar, backing vocals (since 2006)

Jake Luhrs − lead vocals (since 2006)

;Former

Jordan Tuscan − bass guitar (2003–2005)

Jon Hershey − lead vocals (2003–2004)

Josh McManness − lead vocals (2005–2006)

Discography

;Studio albums

Year	Title	Label	Chart peaks
			! style="width:50px;"	! style="width:50px;"	! style="width:50px;"	! style="width:50px;"
2005	''Thrill Seeker''	rowspan="4"
2007
2009
2011

References

External links

Category:Heavy metal musical groups from Pennsylvania Category:American metalcore musical groups Category:Musical groups established in 2003 Category:Solid State Records artists Category:Christian alternative metal groups Category:American Christian metal musical groups Category:Hassle Records artists Category:People from Lancaster, Pennsylvania Category:Musical quintets

cs:August Burns Red de:August Burns Red es:August Burns Red fr:August Burns Red it:August Burns Red nl:August Burns Red ja:オーガスト・バーンズ・レッド pl:August Burns Red pt:August Burns Red ru:August Burns Red sk:August Burns Red fi:August Burns Red sv:August Burns Red