Guam

Daniel J

Guam is a tropical island located (found) between Honolulu and the Phillipines. It is the southernmostand largest of the Mariana Islands. Guam was the first of the Pacific islands found by a Portuguese navigator named Ferdinand Magellan, on March 6, 1521. This island is kidney-shaped about 30 miles long and 8 miles wide. Beautiful coral reefs ring rise to about 500 feet above the sea. The southern half has rolling savannas and the west coast are hills. Mount Lamlam, rising to 1,332 feet is the highest point on the island.


Temperatures range from 70 to 90 degrees and rainfall averages 70 inches a year. Tropical growth includes b anana, coconut, breadfruit, and rubber trees. Main crops are taros, sweet potatoes, and corn. Animals such as chickens, pigs, and cattles are raised.

The native people of Guam are Chamorro. In 1950, Guam was made a United States Territory. The people elect thir governors instead of appointing them. The population is about 134,000 (1990 estimated).