Geography

Guam is the southernmost island in the Mariana chain. It is far from any major land masses. Honolulu, Hawaii, is 3,300 miles (5,300 kilometers) to the east, and Manila, Philippines, is 1,600 miles (2,600 kilometers) to the west. The total land area is 209 square miles (541 square kilometers).

Guam is a long and narrow island. The northern half is a limestone plateau, or raised flat area, with an average elevation of about 500 feet (150 meters). To the south are steep volcanic hills. The highest hill is Mount Lamlam, which reaches an altitude of 1,332 feet (406 meters). Coral reefs and beaches line the shores of the entire island.

The climate is tropical and pleasant, with temperatures between 70° and 90° F (21° and 32° C) all through the year. Rainfall is heavy, amounting to about 95 inches (241 centimeters) per year.

Plants and animals

Coconut palms grow on the seacoast. The northern plateau is covered with dense vegetation, and sword grass covers the hills. Guam has few notable land animals. In the surrounding waters, however, are hundreds of types of coral and fish. Large fish of the area include marlin, tuna, sailfish, and barracuda.

People and culture

The people native to Guam are the Chamorros. They are descendants of the island's early Indonesian inhabitants who intermarried with Spaniards, Filipinos, and other Europeans and Asians. The population also includes large minorities of Filipinos, Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans as well as U.S. military personnel and their families. The Chamorros have their own language, which includes many words borrowed from Spanish. English is also spoken. The main religion is Roman Catholicism.

Economy

U.S. military bases and tourism are central to Guam's economy. Many workers are involved in providing services for military personnel. Many others work in tourist facilities such as hotels and resorts. The tourist industry depends heavily on visitors from Japan, but diving enthusiasts come to the island from around the world. As the country has built up its tourist facilities, construction has become an increasingly important industry. Local and federal government agencies are also major employers in Guam, providing jobs for more than a quarter of the island's workers. Other industries include printing and publishing, textile production, and food processing.

Agriculture is limited on Guam, and much food must be imported. Beans, eggplant, bananas, cucumbers, watermelons, and coconuts are among the crops grown on the island. Chickens, pigs, and goats are raised.

History

People first arrived on Guam before 1500 BC. The first settlers probably came from Indonesia. Their descendants had developed a highly organized society long before the first Europeans arrived on the island in the early 16th century.

Spain officially claimed Guam in 1565. When the Spanish set out to conquer the island in the 17th century, the native population was greatly reduced by warfare and diseases carried by the Europeans. In 1898 Guam was a battle site in the Spanish-American War. After Spain was defeated, the island became a U.S. possession.

Japanese forces seized Guam in December 1941, during World War II. After heavy fighting, the United States took it back in August 1944. Hagåtña, the capital, was almost completely destroyed in the fighting. In the last part of the war, the United States made the island a major air and naval base.

In 1950 Guam was named a territory of the United States. In 1970 the people of Guam were given the right to elect their own governor. The people also elect a nonvoting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. Population (2001 estimate), 158,000.