Guam Facts
Guam is a small U.S. island territory in the Western Pacific. It’s known for tropical beaches, native Chamorro culture, Spanish colonial heritage, and playing a significant role in World War II.
Quick Facts
Capital: Hagåtña
Population: 163,000
Nickname: Island of Warriors
Key Cities: Dededo, Hagåtña, Yigo, Tamuning
Postal Abbreviation: GU
Major Industries: National defense, tourism, construction, food processing
History
How did Guam get its name: When sailors from Spain came to Guam, the native Chamorro people would run out to their ships to sell fruit, calling “Guahan!”
“Guahan” means “I have,” and it sounded like “Guam” to the Spanish sailors, who named the island after this greeting.
Date admitted to the Union: Guam became a U.S. territory in 1898 after the Spanish-American War.
On August 1, 1950, the Organic Act of Guam gave U.S. citizenship to all Guamanians (people born in Guam).
Geography
Size: 210 sq. miles
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean at sea level
Highest point: Mount Lamlam at 1,334 ft.
Counties: 19 (called villages)
Famous locations: Two Lovers Point, Underwater World, Tumon Beach, Cetti Bay Overlook, Fort Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, Pacific National Historical Park
Famous Guamanians
Ann Curry- journalist/TV personality
Joe Duarte- mixed martial artist
Pia Mia- singer
Benjamin Alves- actor
Donovan Patton- actor
Allan Brocka- television and film director
Fun Facts
Surprisingly, there is no sand on the island of Guam. The beaches are covered in coral instead of sand, and paved roads in Guam are made by mixing coral and cement.
Guam’s coral reefs provide more than $20 million to the island’s economy.
Just four hours after Pearl Harbor was bombed during WWII, Guam was bombed too.
It’s a Pacific Army base for the United States and is home to the Guam Pacific War Museum.
Visitors can see weapons, helmets, and personal belongings of soldiers from both the United States and Japan.
It’s said that the island of Guam is shaped like a footprint. It’s about 30 miles long, and its width varies from 4 to 12 miles at different points.
Like Puerto Ricans, Guamanians are U.S. citizens but cannot vote in U.S. elections. They have delegate in Congress, but this delegate is also non-voting.
A popular slogan in Guam is “where the American day begins.” Guam is the first place where the sun rises on U.S. soil and is about 14 hours ahead of the U.S. east coast.
The dominant language in Guam is Chamorro, the language of the island’s native people.
Although it is similar to Spanish, Chamorro is an Austronesian language spoken by around 58,000 people. English is also spoken on the island.
