Guam
Guam (gwäm)[1] is the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands. It is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the Pacific Ocean; the residents are full U.S. citizens.
Contents
History
The island, Guam, was ceded to the United States by Spain in 1898, after the Spanish-American War.[2]
In World War II, Guam was occupied by the Japanese, but American forces landed in July 1944 and took back the island after a three-week battle. Out of 18,000 Japanese troops stationed on the island, only 500 survived to become prisoners of war.[3]
Geography
The highest point in Guam is Mount Lamlam, which is 1,332 feet (406 m). The weather is usually hot and humid, ranging from 74° to 86°, with an average annual rainfall of 96 inches. Typhoons are common, especially during the months of October and November.[4][5]
Demographics
The population of Guam is estimated at 162,742 in July 2016.[2] As of 2010, the largest ethnic groups on this island are Chamorro (37.3%), Filipino (26.3%), white (7.1%), and Chuukese (7%).[2] The most common languages, as of 2010, are English (43.6%), Filipino (21.2%), and Chamorro (17.8%).[2] About 85 percent of the population are estimated to be Roman Catholics.[2]
Politics
The United States Army and Navy maintains military bases on Guam.[2]
Guam is a more conservative territory. It is a right to work state,[6] and since 2014 it has been a Castle Doctrine[7][8] and concealed carry state.[8][9]
Elected officials
State
- Governor: Eddie Calvo (R)
Federal
- Rep. Madeleine Bordallo [D, GU-0]
References
- ↑ http://www.yourdictionary.com/guam
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Guam - The World Factbook. CIA. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
- ↑ Chronicle of the 20th Century, ed. by Clifton Daniel, Chronicle Publications, 1987
- ↑ http://ns.gov.gu/visiting.html
- ↑ http://ns.gov.gu/agana.html
- ↑ Right to Work Laws. National Conference of State Legislators. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
- ↑ Fernandez, Janna (February 10, 2014). Press Release - "YOUR RIGHTS: Calvo Signs Ada’s Castle Doctrine into Law". Office of Governor Eddie Baza Calvo. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Miculka, Cameron (January 30, 2016). Gov. Calvo endorses Ted Cruz for president. Pacific Daily News. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
- ↑ Matanane, Sabrina Salas (May 28, 2014). "Governor Signs 12 Bills, Vetoes 2" Kuam News. Retrieved September 30, 2016.