Guam

Guam is an island that belongs to the United States. It is in the Micronesia area of the western Pacific Ocean. The capital city is Hagåtña, and the biggest village is Dededo. Guam is the westernmost point of the United States. It is the largest island in Micronesia and the southernmost of the Mariana Islands.

The Chamorro people are the largest group of people on Guam. They have lived there for thousands of years. They settled the island about 3,500 years ago and have their own special language. The island was first seen by a European explorer named Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 and was later taken over by Spain. In 1898, during the Spanish–American War, the United States took control of Guam, and it has been a U.S. territory ever since.

Today, Guam's economy depends mostly on tourism and the U.S. military, which uses the island for important strategies. People in Guam sometimes talk about their future, with many hoping for American statehood. Guam is famous for the phrase "Where America's Day Begins," because of its spot near the International Date Line.

Etymology

Guam is called Guåhan by Chamorro speakers. The word comes from guaha, which means 'to have'. This name shows how the island provides what people need to live.

History

Main article: History of Guam

Pre-Contact era

Main article: Mariana Islands § Prehistory

Guam and the other Mariana Islands were some of the first places in Remote Oceania to be settled by humans. People from the Philippines arrived between 1500 and 1400 BC. Others came from the Caroline Islands around the first century AD, and later from Island Southeast Asia around 900 AD.

These early settlers became the Chamorro people. Their society had four classes: chiefs, upper class, middle class, and lower class. The upper class lived near the coast for fishing, while the lower class lived inland. They built homes on stone pillars called latte stones.

Spanish era

Further information: Spanish–Chamorro Wars

The first European to see Guam was Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. Spain claimed the island in 1565. Spanish rule began in 1668 when a mission led by Diego Luis de San Vitores built the first Catholic church. The Spanish-Chamorro Wars began in 1670 because of tensions with the Jesuit mission.

Wars, typhoons, and a smallpox outbreak reduced the Chamorro population greatly. By 1818, Guam had about 7,555 people, including Spanish soldiers. The island became a stop for whalers in 1823. A big typhoon in 1848 and an earthquake in 1849 caused refugees from the Caroline Islands to arrive.

American era

Further information: Capture of Guam

The United States took control of Guam in 1898 after the Spanish-American War. The U.S. Navy improved roads, sanitation, and schools, but limited civil rights for the Chamorro people. Efforts for U.S. citizenship and more self-government began soon after and continued for years.

World War I

On December 10, 1914, the German ship SMS Cormoran entered Apra Harbor needing coal. The United States refused to supply enough coal, so the ship and its crew stayed there until 1917.

When the United States entered World War I on April 7, 1917, Governor Roy Campbell Smith told the Cormoran to surrender. The ship’s captain refused. After the Americans left, an explosion on the Cormoran caused debris to fly and the crew began abandoning ship. American boats rescued most of the crew.

World War II

Japan invaded Guam in December 1941. The occupation lasted about 31 months, and many Chamorros faced hardships. The United States recaptured Guam in the Battle of Guam in July to August 1944. July 21 is celebrated as Liberation Day.

Post-war

After World War II, the Guam Organic Act of 1950 made Guam a U.S. territory and granted U.S. citizenship to its people, though full rights were not included. The Governor of Guam was appointed by the federal government until 1968 when the position became an elected office. Because Guam is not a U.S. state, its residents do not vote for president and have only a non-voting representative in the U.S. Congress.

In 1969, a vote to unify with the Northern Mariana Islands was rejected. In the 1970s, new programs started at the University of Guam. Tourism grew after President Kennedy removed Guam’s security clearance in 1963. However, events like the 1997 Asian financial crisis, military cutbacks, typhoons, and the September 11 attacks affected Guam’s economy.

Geography and environment

Main article: Geography of Guam

See also: Geology of Guam

Guam is an island that is 30.17 miles long and 4 to 12 miles wide. It is the largest island in both the Mariana Islands and Micronesia. Point Udall on Guam is the westernmost point of the United States.

The northern part of Guam has a limestone plateau, while the southern part is rugged. Mount Lamlam is Guam's highest point.

Politically, Guam is divided into 19 villages. Most people live in the northern part of the island.

Climate

Further information: Climate change in Guam and List of typhoons in Guam

Guam has a tropical rainforest climate, with hot and humid weather year-round. The island has a wet season and a dry season. Guam often has typhoons, especially from August to November.

Ecology

Main article: Marianas tropical dry forests

Guam has many different ecosystems, including coral reefs and forests. Some plants and animals are found only on Guam. Efforts are being made to protect Guam's natural habitats. The Guam National Wildlife Refuge protects sea turtles and fruit bats.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Guam

In the 2020 United States census, the largest group of people living in Guam were the native Chamorros. Many people are also Asians, like Filipinos, Koreans, Chinese, and Japanese. Other groups from Micronesia, like those from Chuukese, Palauan, and Pohnpeians, live there too. Some people have mixed backgrounds. European Americans and Hispanic people make up smaller groups.

The main languages spoken in Guam are English and Chamorro. Chamorro is a special language not like others in the area. Filipino is also widely spoken. Other Pacific and Asian languages are spoken there too. Spanish was once important but is not commonly spoken today.

Most people in Guam practice Christianity. Many follow Catholicism, and others belong to Protestant churches.

Main article: Culture of Guam

Further information: Chamorro people and Music of Guam

The culture of Guam mixes traditional Chamorro ways with American, Spanish, and Mexican influences. There is a growing effort to preserve the Chamorro language and culture. Hispanic influences can be seen in the local language, music, dance, food, and games.

The Chamorro people lived on Guam for thousands of years. They grew rice and had their own language. During Spanish rule, many became Catholic. The traditional Chamorro diet included fish, rice, breadfruit, taro, yams, bananas, and coconuts. Today, the cuisine includes foods like tortillas and tamales, influenced by Spanish and Mexican traditions.

Sports

Guam's most popular sports are American football, basketball, and baseball. Soccer, jiu-jitsu, and rugby are also played. Guam has hosted the Pacific Games and has teams that compete in basketball and football. The Guam men's national basketball team and the women's team are strong in the Oceania region. The Guam national football team joined FIFA in 1996. Traditional sling competitions are also part of the island's cultural revival.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Guam

See also: Energy in Guam and Underwater diving on Guam

Guam's economy is mostly based on tourism, military bases, and local businesses. A special law by Congress lets Guam keep the taxes paid by its people and military staff, instead of sending them to the U.S. government.

Tourism

See also: Underwater diving on Guam

Guam is a popular place for visitors from Japan and South Korea. The area called Tumon has many big hotels, shops, and fun places, like an indoor aquarium and shows like those in Las Vegas. The island is close to Asia, and each year it welcomes many tourists to its hotels and golf courses.

Most visitors come from Japan, but many also travel from South Korea, the U.S., the Philippines, and Taiwan. Shopping is very popular, with many places to buy designer goods without extra taxes. Malls like Micronesia Mall and Guam Premier Outlets are very popular.

The COVID-19 pandemic made it harder for tourism to grow. In 2023, there were fewer visitors than in 2013, but things are getting better. In 2024, more visitors arrived at the Guam International Airport. Tourism provides many jobs on the island.

Budget and unemployment

Guam's economy has changed over the years. The number of people without jobs has gone up and down.

Pacific migration to Guam

Many people from nearby Pacific islands move to Guam because they can live there under special agreements. This has brought more people to the island, which has affected public services.

In 2003, the U.S. government agreed to give money each year to help Guam and other areas manage these changes. In 2024, this agreement was updated to keep helping these places.

Military bases

The U.S. military has many bases on Guam, covering almost 29% of the island. These bases are for the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. In 2010, plans were made to bring more Marines and their families to Guam from Okinawa, Japan. This would add many people to the island's population. There were concerns about the environment. By 2022, the Marine Corps decided to station 5,000 Marines on Guam, with some already there.

Government and politics

See also: Politics of Guam, Voting in Guam, Political party strength in Guam, and Government of Guam

Guam is led by a governor and 15 senators who help make laws. There is a top court called the Supreme Court of Guam to make sure everyone follows the rules.

Guam elects a delegate to the United States House of Representatives. This delegate can speak and help with decisions but cannot vote on final laws. People who live in Guam are U.S. citizens and can choose a president, but their votes do not count toward the final result.

Political status

In the past, many people in Guam wanted more control over their own rules, like other places such as Puerto Rico. In 1982, people voted to explore this idea, but the U.S. government said no because it did not match the rules of the U.S. Constitution. Some people still talk about Guam becoming a state, joining with another place, or becoming fully independent.

In 1997, a group was formed to teach people about these choices. In 2016, they started planning to share more information with everyone on the island. The United Nations supports helping Guam decide its future.

Villages

Main article: Villages of Guam

See also: List of census-designated places in Guam

Guam has 19 villages, including Dededo and the capital Hagåtña. These villages are like small towns.

Transportation and communications

Main articles: Communications in Guam and Transportation in Guam

Guam has modern mobile phones and fast internet through cable or DSL. In 1997, Guam joined the North American Numbering Plan, using area code 671. This made calling the continental U.S easier and cheaper.

Guam is an important spot for undersea cables that carry information between the Western U.S., Hawaii, Australia, and Asia. It helps connect many places and gives good internet speeds.

The Port of Guam is very important because most goods arrive by ship. A shipping company called Matson, Inc. visits weekly, linking Guam to places like Hawaii, California, and Washington.

Guam has the Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport. Because Guam is outside the U.S. customs zone, it has its own customs and quarantine agency. Passengers coming from the United States do not need an immigration check, but they go through Guam’s customs.

Most people on Guam drive their own cars. There is also a bus service run by the Guam Regional Transit Authority, and some buses for tourists.

Education

See also: List of schools in Guam

The Guam Public Library System runs the Nieves M. Flores Memorial Library in Hagåtña and five smaller libraries.

The Guam Department of Education looks after all the schools on the island. In 2000, about 32,000 students went to public schools. These included 26 elementary schools, eight middle schools, and six high schools. The schools in Guam have faced challenges.

Guam’s schools have special difficulties because it is a small place, far away from the U.S. mainland, and students come from many different backgrounds. An economic slowdown in the 1990s made these problems harder.

Before September 1997, the U.S. Department of Defense worked with Guam’s school board. After that, the Department of Defense Education Activity started its own schools for children of military families. In 2000, about 2,500 students went to these schools, which include three elementary/middle schools and one high school.

The University of Guam (UOG) and Guam Community College offer higher education. Both schools are approved by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. UOG is one of only 106 special schools in the United States called land-grant institutions. There is also Pacific Islands University, a small Christian college approved by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.

Health care

Further information: 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Guam

The main hospital on Guam is Guam Memorial Hospital, located in Tamuning. It is run by the government and has doctors and dentists to help with health needs. There is also a hospital for military families at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Agana Heights.

Guam has a service called CareJet, an air ambulance, that can quickly take patients who need urgent care. In 2016, a private hospital named the Guam Regional Medical City opened. People in Guam can use Medicaid to help pay for medical care.