The island was formed millions of years ago when a pair of volcanoes sank beneath
the ocean leaving only their twin peaks above sea level. The lava remains of the
southern volcano eventually fused with the older northern crater. This crater's
limestone top was formed underwater by the actions of an extensive coral polyp
community.
Guam is made up of volcanic hills, which rise to a maximum height
of 1,334 feet above sea level. But, measured from its base at the bottom of the
Marianas Trench (30000 ft plus!), Mount Humuyong Manglo is the highest mountain
in the world.
Rivers cut through this terrain and high waterfalls abound.
The central and northern sections of the island consist of a limestone plateau
as high as 600 feet with steep cliffs dropping down to a narrow coastal shelf.
The towering cliffs are tunnelled with caves formed by the relentless and pounding
surf.
Apra Harbor is considered one of the region's finest commercial ports.
It is also a favourite spot for divers and snorkellers. It is one of the few commercial
ports in the world featuring a spectacular live reef with an abundant population
of colourful fish and other forms of marine life.
A majority of hotel, business,
and residential centres are on the western side of the island facing the tranquil
Philippine Sea. A drive along the eastern coast boasts breathtaking views of the
Pacific Ocean thundering against the narrow coastal shelf.
How To Get There
Guam is the southernmost and largest of the islands in the Mariana archipelago,
a group of 15 islands located within approximately three hours of major Asian
cities. Guam lies 13 degrees 38 minutes North latitude and 144 degrees 44 minutes
East longitude.
The island is the western most territory of the United States
and 15 hours ahead of the Eastern Seaboard Time Zone. Hence, the popular slogan
is often used: Guam, "Where America's Day Begins".
With Continental
Micronesia having their headquarters here, Guam does serve as a hub for most travel
into and out of Micronesia.
Guam's airport services more than six airlines
and four domestic carriers on a daily basis. Up to 2.8 million passengers were
transported in 1995. Flights are available to the U.S. mainland by way of Hawaii,
Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries, as well as islands throughout the Pacific
including Cairns in Australia.
Climate
As in most tropical islands
in the western Pacific, the weather on Guam is warm throughout the year with less
humidity from November through March. The mean annual temperature near sea level
is about 81 F (27.2 C) with monthly means ranging from 80 F (26.7 C) in January
to a little over 82 F (27.8 C) in June.
Rarely does the temperature exceed
90 F (32.2 C) during the daytime hours or fall below 70 F (21.1 C) at night.
The
relative humidity commonly exceeds 84 percent at night throughout the year, but
the average monthly humidity hovers near 66 per cent.
Guam's climate is characterized
by two distinct seasons a dry season from January to May, and a rainy season from
July to November: June and December are transitional months. The mean annual rainfall
varies from about 80 inches in the central and coastal lowlands up to 110 inches
on the uplands in southern Guam.
The easterly trade winds, usually between
4 and 12 miles per hour (mph), are dominant throughout the year. Only occasionally
do winds exceed 24 mph, except during major tropical storms or typhoons small-scale
storms, or squalls, can occur at any time and with little notice.
Culture
And Geography
A majority of the island is surrounded by a coral table reef with deep water channels.
The coastline, areas are characterized by sandy beaches, rocky, cliff lines, and
mangroves. The relatively flat north is home to a majority of Guam's population
and businesses, while in the south, cascading waterfalls, seldom visited hiking
trails, and an abundance of lush agricultural lands laid to the aura of a relaxed
and laid back island lifestyle.
Guam is considered the hub of the western Pacific
and undeniably Micronesia's most cosmopolitan destination - a true example of
the American melting pot. In addition to the indigenous Chamorros and 'stateside'
Americans, Guam boasts large populations of Filipinos, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans,
and Micronesian Islanders, as well as a few Vietnamese, Indians, and Europeans.
Historical landmarks, coupled with the natural beauty of Guam, offer numerous
sights of interest. "Latte", which served as foundation pillars for
the thatched huts of the Chamorros, are found in parks and out-of-the-way jungle
areas. The graceful remains of Spanish buildings, the Plaza De Espana, and stone
bridges may be seen in Hagåtña, Guam's capital. In other locations
throughout the island, the Spanish influence is clearly visible in the architectural
design of Guam's southern homes and villages.
Diving
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 colourful coral reefs. Snorkelling 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.
Guam has long been
overlooked by divers on their way to Yap, Palau or Truk. There is some great diving
in Guam, especially the wrecks are for sure worth some dives. The SMS Cormoran
and the Tokai Maru, two great wrecks awaiting for the intrepid wreck diver. The
former went down during WW I in 1917 and the latter 1944 during WW II. Where in
the world do you have 2 wrecks from both World Wars at one dive site, on top at
each other?!
Another World War II wreck is the Kitzugawa Maru, an outstanding
and interesting dive. Apart from wreck diving, Guam also has wonderful walls and
reefs.
Guam waters maintain a temperature of 82-86 (28C) degrees year 'round
with excellent visibility at most locations. Apra Harbor divesites generally have
visibility in the 30-60'(10-20m) range, and all "outside" reefs offer
100-150' (33m) and more. Above water we are terribly spoiled with temperatures
consistently between 75-90 (24-29C) every day!
With a few exceptions, diving
on Guam is VERY EASY. There are numerous walk-in reef dives, and a very wide choice
of boat dive sites. There are virtually no swells 95% of the year, and most divesites
are within an easy 10-20 minute ride by boat.
Other Activities
Some
people say that Guam's main tourist strip, Tumon Beach, is a little Hawaii. It
is certainly a much smaller and intimate setting, which still does not lack any
of the modern diversions.
Jet skiing, trips to watch wild pods of spinner
dolphins, river cruises, ocean dinner cruises, underwater observatories, ocean
parasailing, heli-tours, eco-tours, and snorkelling are popular activities. There
are also amusement parks as Underwater World or Stephen Spielberg's Game World.
Hotels do offer Thai massages and fitness studios and some of the best restaurants
in the western pacific can be found here.
The island's duty-free status means
that name brand merchandise are often less expensive than its country of origin.
The variety of retail shops on Guam can satisfy any shopper - from Tiffany's,
Chanel, to K-Mart. In addition to outlet shops and malls, the island also offers
shoppers with the I Sengsong Chamorro Village, a venue to purchase local handicrafts.
With all the modern bustling, you should not miss to check out the ancient culture.
Petroglyph (Cave Paintings) and Latte Stones (pillars which supported ancient
structures and houses) provide insight into the lives of the Chamorro people in
their earliest times. Spanish ruins and World War II memorials are reminders of
more recent history. Many WWII memorial plaques do give a graphic insight into
the recent history of the place.
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