Guam Information, Geography and History

INFORMATION

•  Full name: Territory of Guam

•  Capital City: Hagåtña

•  Language: English, Chamorro (official)

•  Currency: US dollar (US$)

•  Religion: Roman Catholic

•  National Anthem: The Star Spangled Banner ( Stand ye Guamanians for your country)

•  Newspaper: Pacific Daily News, Navigator

•  Places to Visit: Hagatña (Agaña), Tumon Bay, Pago Bay Vista Point, Ritidian Point, Two Lovers Point

INTRODUCTION

Guam is a gateway that takes you to the regions of West Pacific and Asia from the American continent, which itself is a wonderful travel destination. From spectacular coastlines to the glowing white sand beaches, from crystal clear ocean waters streaming with mesmerising marine life to the pleasant tropical climatic weather, the place is predominantly rich in its cosmos and creation.

LOCATION OF GUAM

Guam is nestled in the North America, engulfing both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, lying in the midst of Canada and Mexico.

PHYSICAL MAP OF GUAM

Guam (or Guåhån in Chamorro) covers a total area of about 210 square miles.

One can watch small streamline river descending from the hilltops that meander to the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea, which is basically surrounded with beautiful coral reefs. The island of Guam is inhabited mainly in the northern and central part of the region.

Guam lies in the southernmost area in the Mariana island chain, being one of the largest islands in Micronesia. This island was formed while the Pacific and Philippine tectonic plates collided with each other. Adjacent to this island, is the Marianas Trench, a deep subduction zone that is placed in the eastern part. The deepest point on earth is the Challenger Deep, which is towards the southwest of Guam approximately, is about 35,797 feet deep.

The underwater mountain range connecting southward from the Japan area to the Marianas Islands in the southern most area constitute the Guam Island.

CLIMATE OF GUAM

Observe a tropical marine climatic condition in Guam thereby making the weather relatively warm and humid, with slight deviation in the temperature.

•  The months of December to June are the dry season referred to as the "fanumnangan'.

•  The months of October and November are hit with severe typhoons.

•  The rest of the months are considered as the rainy season, which is called as the "fanuchanan.”

•  The months of December to February are the coolest season affected with westerly tradewinds.

•  March to August is generally warmer with stable trade winds flowing within the region.

The highest mean temperature is about 86°F whereas the lowest being approximately 76°F. The annual down pouring relates to somewhere about 80 to 110 inches. The place is prone to an average of three tropical storms and one typhoon every year. Occasional earthquakes are quite frequent in the edge of the Pacific Plate.

FLORA AND FAUNA OF GUAM

The native birds of the region are Marianas Fruit Dove, White-throated Ground Dove, Guam Micronesian Kingfisher, Rufous-fronted Fantail, Mariana Fruit Bat, Sheath-tailed Bat), Dugong, Micronesian Starling, Bridled White-eye and many others.

The native plants of the area are Sterculiaceae, Loganiaceae, Apocynaceae, Flacourtaceae, Leguminosae and many others.

It was during the 17th the Spanish came up with the animals like Philippine deer (Cervus mariannus), black francolins, and the water buffalo.

The Guam National Wildlife Refuge nestled within the northern Guam region, is known to preserve the sea turtle and the population of Mariana fruit bats.

Stay connected at Mapsofworld for all relevant information about the Guam Island.