Situated in the Micronesia region of the West Pacific Ocean, Guam is a territory of the United States. Its capital is Hagåtña (Agana), but Dededo is its most populous city. Guam is the southernmost island in the Mariana Island chain and the largest in Micronesia. The island is divided into a low-level limestone plateau in the north, and a much higher area of volcanic hills to the south. The plateau includes a thick jungle, while the volcanic hills are grown mostly in sword grass.
Like other islands in the South Pacific, Guam has a tropical climate, but one that is tempered by trade winds and the ocean current that flows west across the Pacific. Temperature ranges from 70 to 90 degrees throughout the year. Typhoons occur at irregular intervals.The islands are rich in palm trees, ferns, and other tropical plants. Several varieties of marine life and insects make their home on or around the island, but indigenous bird life in Guam was devastated by the introduction of the brown tree snake from New Guinea, resulting in at least a dozen extinct species.
Native Guamanians are known as Chamorros and are large of Malayo-Indonesian descent with a mixture of Filipino, Mexican, and people of Asian and European ancestries. Chamorros and other Micronesians make up about fifty percent of the island's population, while a third of its population are Asians, mostly Koreans, and Filipinos, and Europeans make up a small minority. Approximately three-fourths of Guam's population identify as Roman Catholics, while an eighth are Protestant. Other religions include native folk religions, Buddhism, Eastern Orthodox, Hindu, Muslim, and Judaism. While most Chamorros are baptized into the Roman Catholic Church or belong to a Protestant denomination, animistic beliefs persist. This includes a respect for ancestral spirits who are believed to occupy certain trees and areas in the forest. These jungle areas and sites where latte stones are located are considered sacred. Traditionally, the dead are buried beneath latte stones. Chamorros believe that their ancestors have lived in the Mariana Islands since the beginning of time, that these islands are at the center of the universe, and that all human life began in Guam.
The Chamorro language is an Austronesian language that has incorporated several Spanish words over the years. English and Chamorro are the official languages of Guam. In recent years, Japanese has become more in use. Its population has been rising due to a low birth rate and large numbers of migrants from the Philippines and South Korea.
The development of Guam into a significant United States military base brought about changes in Guam's agricultural patterns after the Second World War. While islanders once grew most of what they ate, food began to be imported, and today Guam imports most of its food. US military bases and facilities employ a large number of local people, who are no longer farming or fishing. US military installations occupy a third of the island and account for about twenty percent of its population. Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States, and Chamorros are US citizens although they do not have the right to vote in national elections. Since 1968, Guam has been electing a governor and lieutenant governor, as well as a legislature for internal affairs. Guam also elects a delegate to the US House of Representatives who has limited voting rights that do not include voting on the final passage of a bill. In 1982, Guam voted to pursue commonwealth status similar to that of the Northern Marianas, but negotiations with the US Congress is still in progress.
Like the other Mariana Islands, Guam was settled by Indonesian-Filipino people. By 800 AD, they had developed a complex society that built elaborate stone pillars, which were used as supports for communal houses. Ferdinand Magellan was perhaps the first European to arrive in Guam; that was in 1521. Spain claimed the island in 1565 but didn't try to occupy it until the latter part of the 1600s. After an uprising in 1670 and twenty-five years of hostilities, Spain violently subdued the population. Typhoons in 1671 and 1693 caused further loss of life and destruction. Guam continued as a Spanish possession until 1898 when US forces took it during the Spanish-American War. Spain sold the other Marianas Islands to Germany. Except for a period of occupation by the Japanese during the Second World War, Guam has been under the control of the United States.
The current situation is that the United States intends to relocate many of its military forces from Okinawa to Guam, projecting a huge population increase, largely of people who are not native to the island. Despite occupying a large percentage of the land on Guam, the US military pays no income or excise taxes. Guam's economy is largely dependent on tourism and is a popular destination for Japanese tourists.
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Recommended Resources
A.B. Won Pat International Airport Guam
Built as a government entity, the airport was managed by the Department of Commerce until 1976 when the Airport Authority took over operations of the facility. Its history and operational status are set forth, along with a corporate profile, terminal directory, financials, job announcements, and business opportunities. Flight schedules, traveler tips, visa requirements, and custom and immigration regulations are featured.
http://www.guamairport.com/
The online telephone directory includes white pages for individuals, businesses, organizations, schools, churches, entertainment venues, restaurants, doctors and medical facilities, and government agencies, as well as yellow pages for enhanced listings. Listings may be found by searching alphabetized white pages, yellow pages, or Guam Chamber members. A mobile application may be downloaded from the site.
http://www.callguam.com/
Intended for United States military personnel stationed on Guam, the site offers information about relocating to Guam, moving the family to Guam, its family readiness programs and services, job opportunities, a calendar of events and programs, sponsorships, and a facility directory. Specific information about Naval Base Guam and Andersen Air Force Base are included, along with various military support services and programs.
http://www.militarymwrguam.com/
Maintained by Data Management Resources, which serves the public and private sectors in Guam and Micronesia, the site offers government forms, which may be located by the department, with popular and new forms highlighted. Forms may also be found by searching by keyword. Included are forms from the Guam Attorney General’s office, the Chamorro Land Trust Commission, Civil Service Commission, and others.
http://www.govguamdocs.com/
The GBA is an agency of the Government of Guam, an American territory in the Pacific. The GBA is a member of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy and administers the national examination prepared by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Examination schedules, licensing data, and a database of licensees are posted to the site, along with administrative contacts.
http://www.guamboa.org/
The Chamber is the primary membership organization charged with promoting the business interests of the island of Guam. Its site offers a profile of the island, visitor and relocation information, announcements, and a calendar of events and activities, information on government relations, contacts, as well as various publications, available for downloading or in print on request.
http://www.guamchamber.com.gu/
As a member of the Micronesian Chefs Association, Guam Diner is a directory of restaurants and food services on the island of Guam. Restaurants may be found by type of cuisine, restaurant format, village, or name. Other resources include a listing of businesses supporting the food service industry on Guam, a collection of recipes, menus, and party ideas. Search features are available.
http://www.guamdiner.com/
Guam Facilities Foundation, Inc.
GFFI is a non-profit organization formed in 2011 to offer affordable housing and other community projects for the people of Guam, its primary focus on the development and maintenance of affordable housing and schools on the island. Its office locations, hours and contacts are posted, along with a list of properties, its goals, missions, and projects. Applications may be downloaded from the site.
http://www.gffi.net/
The digital telephone book mirrors that of the printed phone books that many of us no longer receive. It includes white pages with alphabetized listings for people, businesses and organizations, as well as yellow pages for paid advertisements that include additional information. Other resources include sorting for government sites, and listings for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as well as those for Guam. Additions and corrections may be requested through the site.
http://www.guamphonebook.com/
The Visitors Bureau works to promote the island of Guam as a tourist and business destination, offering information about what Guam has to offer to the travel trade and to vacation travelers. Available in several languages, the site offers a profile of the island and Chamorro culture, a guide to guest accommodations on the island, area attractions and events, as well as trip planning information.
http://www.visitguam.org/
Produced by the US Pacific Island Territory of Guam, the site features a profile and history of the island, including United States military assignments on Guam, island landmarks, and maps. Other resources include attractions and activities on the island, temporary or long-term housing in Guam. Information about getting around on Guam is included, such as its transit authority, shopping and tour buses, taxis, and auto rentals.
http://guam-online.com/
The community project highlights the heritage and culture of the Chamorro people, and the history of the island of Guam and the Mariana Islands, including the governmental structure of the island and its villages. Featured are a map of the island, details about the island, its historical eras, and links to further historical information. Other resources include arts and crafts in Guam, environmental issues on the island, and an online shopping area.
http://www.guampedia.com/
Office of the Attorney General of Guam
The AG office represents the government of Guam and its people by enforcing the laws of Guam and the United States. Its administrative, prosecution, litigation, solicitors, consumer counsel, juvenile, and child support enforcement divisions are featured, with office locations, hours and contacts. Other resources refer to Attorney General opinions, legal memorandums, and procurements.
http://www.guamag.org/
Published in Guam, the web edition of the newspaper offers island and regional news as well as world news from USA Today, sports reports, lifestyle and entertainment features, business reports, opinion columns, and obituaries. A subscription allows full access to its content, or to its print edition. Other resources include a member guide, advertising terms and conditions, and a downloadable mobile app.
http://www.guampdn.com/
UOG is a four-year land-grant institution of higher learning and the only university on the island of Guam. Located in Mangilao, the university is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Its admissions policies, academic, research and community programs, alumni affairs, and an overview of its degrees and courses are presented, along with a campus map and career opportunities.
http://www.uog.edu/
