|
|
Guam
Quick Overview:
Guam, the largest and southernmost island of the Mariana archipelago, is the westernmost possession of the United States, and has been since 1898. 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 Hongkong; 1,500 miles east of Manila; and 3,100 miles northwest of Sydney at 13 north latitude and 144 East longitude. The Marianas Trench, the deepest known ocean depth (-39,198 ft.), is located southeast of Guam. Guam's dramatic coastline and white sand beaches are ringed by coral reefs and clear, crystalline waters teeming with exotic marine life and blessed by a balmy tropical climate and gentle trade winds. Guam's natural beauty, the luxurious high-rise hotel and resort complexes that dominate the beach front at Tumon and Agana, the surrounding restaurants, malls, golf courses, water sports and entertainment facilities combine to create a perfect playground for visitors. Three hundred varieties of coral make Guam a diver's delight. Whales, dolphins, mantas and skip jacks are just some of the sea life seen offshore. Popular wreck dives include a World War II Japanese "Zero", a U.S. tanker and a World War I German cruiser. The waters at Asan Beach contain several pieces of submerged military equipment embedded in the colorful coral reefs. Snorkeling is an absolute must to discover the multitude of exotic coral and marine life to be found alongside ocean treasures of incomparable beauty that line the reef.
Geography:
Visited in 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan , Guam belonged to Spain until 1898, when it was taken by the United States in the Spanish-American War. From 1917 to 1950, Guam, under the Dept. of the Navy, was governed by a naval officer who was advised by a local congress. The Organic Act of 1950 transferred jurisdiction to the Dept. of the Interior and provided for a governor, appointed every four years by the U.S. President, and a 21-member unicameral legislature elected biennially by residents. Beginning in 1970 the governor has been elected every four years. Guam was captured by Japan in 1941, was retaken by U.S. forces in 1944, and became a major base for assaults on the Japanese mainland. During the Vietnam War in the 1960s Guam was an important base for air assaults. In 1987 Guamanians voted to seek commonwealth status from the U.S. Guam was devastated by typhoons in 1976 and 1992 and suffered a severe earthquake in 1993. Carl Tommy Cruz Gutierrez has been governor since 1995.
Related Links:
|
News Pacific Daily News Guam TV Station |
Offical Sites Government of Guam |
Country Guides Guam Tourist Guide |
Education - |