Aguiguan

Island in the Northern Marianas island chain

Aguiguan (also Aguigan and Aguihan, based on the Spanish rendition of the native name, Aguijan, which is still used), alternatively it is called Goat Island, is a small bean shaped uninhabited coralline island in the Northern Mariana Islands chain in the Pacific Ocean. It is situated south west of Tinian, from which it is separated by the Tinian Channel. Aguiguan and neighboring Tinian Island together form Tinian 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.

It is likely that first sighting by Europeans occurred during the Spanish expedition of Ferdinand Magellan, or by its continuation by Gonzalo Gómez de Espinosa being charted as Santo Ángel. It was visited by the Spanish missionary Diego Luis de San Vitores in 1669. In the mid 19th century it was known that goats were introduced to the island. In the 1930s there was an attempt to grow sugar cane here, and areas were cleared for this purpose. Following World War II, Aguiguan came under the control of the United States and was administered as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Since 1978, the island has been part of the Commonwealth 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 called Aguijan Island or Aguigan, or it also goes by Goat island. It is known for its population of feral goats, but is also the last known habitat for the Pacific sheath tailed bat (Emballonura semicaudata rotensis).

Aguiguan and Naftan Rock have been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because they support populations of Micronesian megapodes, white throated ground doves, Mariana fruit doves, Mariana swiftlets, Micronesian myzomelas, rufous fantails, Aguiguan reed warblers, golden and Saipan white eyes, and Micronesian starlings. Aguiguan also supports seabird breeding colonies, with 120 pairs of brown boobies and 450 pairs of brown noddies reported, while Naftan Rock is home to several thousand seabirds.