Since I’m learning about Guam, I thought I would get everyone acquainted with it as well. I wanted to make sure I had some knowledge of where I’m moving too and since most people have no idea about the location of Guam, when it became a US territory, who are the people, and what does it look like? I thought this would be a good place to start.
Here is your brief history/geography lesson:-) Around 1521 Ferdinand Magellan “DISCOVERED” Guam (ok how do you discover something that already existed & was populated; never mind, we all know our US history), it was then occupied by Spain until 1898 when it was ceded to the US. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, and was retaken by the US three years later in 1944. The military installations on the island are some of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific. Guam is a U.S. territory situated in the middle of Micronesia and is geographically closer to urban centers in Southeast Asia (South Korea, Japan, Philippines, & China) than the closest state, Hawaii. Guam has a population of approximately 171,019 (as of July 06) and its culture and population is unique as a result of its geography and ethnic diversity.
The majority of its residents are of Pacific Islander or of Asian descent; however, Guam also welcomes scores of visitors and immigrants, including over 1 million tourists annually. This really is a unique island; Guam combines old and new to make a colorful montage of people, land and heritage. Countries from around the world have left a little something behind on this island: language, foods, songs and religions. The indigenous people of Guam are the "Chamorros" with the remaining population a balance of mainland Americans, Chinese, Filipinos, Japanese, Koreans, Micronesians and others. Chamorros are U.S. citizens who proudly retain many of the old-island and Spanish traditions, which reflect three centuries of Spanish rule. The predominant language is English; thank goodness!
The island is approximately 6,000 miles west of San Francisco; 3,700 miles west-southwest of Honolulu; 1,500 miles southeast of Tokyo; 2,100 miles southeast of Hong Kong; 1,500 miles east of Manila; and 3,100 miles northwest of Sydney. I know you’re asking why is this important to me; well here is why: Guam is only three jet-hours away from the Asian capitals of Tokyo, Taipei and Manila; I love to travel so guess where I’ll be going for fun.
The climate is a tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation. The terrain has a volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, and mountains in south.
See, painless. That is your history/ geography lesson. More blogs to come in the future as well as photos.
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