Territory of Guam, USA
The Territory of Guam, the largest Micronesian island, has a land area of 212 square miles and a population of 171,019 people (est. 2006). Formed by the union of two volcanoes, northern Guam is a flat limestone plateau, while the southern part is mountainous. Guam’s population is highly diverse, including residents from locations throughout Asia and the Pacific as well as a large number of U.S. military personnel and their dependents. As residents of an unincorporated territory of the U.S., Guam’s people hold U.S. citizenship and are free to live in the U.S. Tourism, especially from Japan, is the major private industry.
Culture
Tradition has long played a major role in the lives of Chamorros, the people of the Mariana Islands. This includes rituals associated with the preparation of herbal medicines and cures administered by patteras and suruhanas (local doctors), whose methods of treatment have been practiced for centuries. Superstition also plays an important role, especially when dealing with the supernatural and unexplainable occurrences. It is customary to show respect for the elderly, toward one's neighbors, and for the taotaomona (ancestral spirits) and duhendes (elfish spirits). Legends are also a part of the cultural heritage of the Chamorros.
Language
The name Chamorro was given to the language and people of the Mariana Islands by the Spanish. Chamorro is a member of the linguistic family of languages known as Austronesian, which is spoken from Madagascar to the Micronesian Islands to Easter Island in the farthest corner of Polynesia. Useful greetings are provided with English translations and phonetic pronunciations on Language Cards.
Education
The education system is similar to that of the continental U.S., with all high schools and colleges accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Education is a high priority for Chamorro parents and is considered the key to success in many Chamorro homes. By law, children between the ages of 5 and 16 are required to attend school. Guam schools use a traditional school calendar. Guam has 36 public schools with an enrollment of about 31,340 students.
PREL Service Center
P.O. Box 326359
Hagatna, GU 96932
DHL/FedEx Mailing Address:
Oceanview Middle School
184 Erskin Drive
Agat, GU 96928
Phone: (671) 475-0215
Fax: (671) 478-0215
Alternate Fax: (671) 565-3259
Email: guamsc@prel.org
Guam Public School System
Mr. Luis S.N. Reyes, Superintendent of Education
P.O. Box DE
Hagatna, GU 96932
Phone: (671) 475-0462/0421
Fax: (671) 472-5003
Email: lreyes@gdoe.net
www.doe.edu.gu
Institutions of Higher Education
Guam Community College
Ms. Mary A.Y. Okada, President
P. O. Box 23069
Mangilao, GU 96923
Phone: (671) 734-5636
Fax: (671) 734-1003
Email: mary.okada@guamcc.net
www.guamcc.net
University of Guam
Dr. Robert Underwood, President
UOG Station
Mangilao, GU 96923
Phone: (671) 735-2990
Fax: (671) 734-2296 ext. 0167
Email: raunderwood@uguam.uog.edu
www.uog.edu
Government
Airline Service
Contact PREL
Pacific Resources for Education and Learning
Phone:
(808) 441-1300
U.S. Toll-free Phone:
(800) 377-4773
AskPREL
Phone:
(808) 441-1300
U.S. Toll-free Phone:
(800) 377-4773
AskPREL
News