Why did Julian Assange head to the little-known island of Saipan?

Family and supporters of Julian Assange are expecting the WikiLeaks founder to return home to Australia this week, but before he does, the 52-year-old made a court appearance at a little-known island in the western Pacific Ocean.

Julian Assange flew for a court appearance at the little-known island of Saipan, located in the western Pacific Ocean. Source: AAP / US Tourism

Key Points

• WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faced court in the US territory of Saipan.
• Assange pleaded guilty to violating US espionage law.
• Saipan is a tiny island in the western Pacific Ocean.

It's known for its sun, sand and snorkelling, and soon, a major US espionage court case.

Saipan, a tiny island in the western Pacific Ocean, has found itself under the global spotlight amid reports that Australian WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has appeared court hearing there that could end his 14-year legal saga.

Assange pleaded guilty to violating US espionage law, in a deal that will allow him to return home to Australia.

The Australian has agreed to plead guilty to a single criminal count of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified US national defence documents, according to court filings in the US District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands.

WikiLeaks announced Assange had left Belmarsh maximum security prison in London, boarded a plane and left the United Kingdom on Monday.

Assange arrived on the remote island on Tuesday afternoon.

Saipan, the largest and most developed island of the Northern Mariana Islands, is known for its beaches and scuba diving. Credit: Supplied/Tourism USA

Why is Assange's court hearing in Saipan?

According to the Associated Press, the hearing took place there because of Assange's opposition to travelling to the continental US, and the court's proximity to Australia.

Where is Saipan?

Saipan is the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands and a commonwealth of the United States. The US captured the Northern Mariana Islands in 1944 after the Battle of Saipan.

It's a small island — just 19km long and 9km wide — and is considered the international gateway and the commercial hub for the Islands.

Saipan is the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands.

It is located about 190km north of Guam and is better known for its white sand beaches, coral reefs and tourist attractions.

Saipan was highlighted by Guinness World Records for having some of the most consistent temperatures on Earth.

It was formerly administered as a Spanish, German and Japanese colony.

When is Julian Assange's court hearing?

Assange was sentenced to 62 months of time already served at a hearing on the island of Saipan at 9am local time (9am AEST) on Wednesday.

The Saipan Tribune reports Assange will appear before chief judge Ramona Villagomez Manglona for a change of plea hearing on Wednesday.