Hagåtña, Guam
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| Agana Hagåtña |
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|---|---|
| General Information | |
| Population: | 1,100 (2000 census) [1] |
| Ethnic groups: | Chamorro |
Hagåtña (formerly Agana and in Spanish Agaña), the capital of the American island of Guam, lies on its western shore. As of the 2000 Census, the island had a population of 154,805. [2]
In 1998, the territorial legislature changed the name from Agana (pronounced /agaɲa/ (International Phonetic Alphabet)) to Hagåtña to more closely match the Chamorro/Chamoru pronunciation.
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[edit] Government
The Legislature, the Office of the Govenor and other government offices are located in this city. Like all villages of Guam, the municipality is governed by an elected mayor.
[edit] History
Hagåtña was a prominent village prior to Guam's colonization by the Spanish. In 1668, the first Spanish missionary, Padre San Vitores arrived on the island. The family of Chief Kepuha donated land in Hagåtña enabling San Vitores to build the first church (Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica) on Guam.
Under Spanish rule, much of the indigenous population of Guam and other Mariana Islands was forced to relocate to the city. The remains of buildings from the Spanish administration can be seen in the Plaza de España located beside the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Agana.
After Guam was ceded by Spain to the United States in the Spanish-American War of 1898, 'Agana' remained the seat of government under U.S. Naval Administration. By 1940, the city's population had grown to about 10,000 and contained nearly half of the island's residents.
Guam was captured by Japanese forces on December 8, 1941. During Guam's 1944 liberation from the Japanese during World War II, the city was heavily damaged by U.S. naval bombardment. Many former residents settled in other parts of Guam after the war. As part of Guam's reconstruction plan, the U.S. Navy constructed new straight city streets that passed through existing lots and created many plots of land with multiple owners. This has hindered the development of the city to the present day.
Today, the city is the seat of an elected territorial government. Its historic sites are major attractions for visitors. Hagåtña is served by Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport in Tamuning.
[edit] Geography
Hagåtña is located at the mouth of the Hagåtña river on Guam's west coast. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3 km² (1 mi²). The village is bounded by the sandy beaches of Agana Bay to the north and by Wetlands and the hills of Agana Heights to the South. Several high-rise office buildings are in the center of the village. Unlike many villages, central Hagåtña is divided into city blocks with shops and small restaurants throughout the center of the village. Highly populated residential areas in the villages of Mongmong-Toto-Maite, Sinajana, and Agana Heights surround the village.
[edit] Culture
As Guam's historic population and administrative center, many traditional celebrations take place in Hagåtña. On December 8, Santa Marian Kamalen, Patroness of the Mariana Islands, is honored by a procession where a statue of the patroness is pulled on a cart amid the prayers of thousands of the island's catholics [3]. Guam's most celebrated patriotic holiday, Liberation Day is on July 21st. The annual Liberation Day Parade takes place on Marine Drive in Hagåtña. In addition to the historic sites at the Plaza de España and the Basillica, Latte stone park and the Chamorro Village shopping area offer further information about the island's history and culture.
[edit] Education
The Guam Public School System [4] serves the entire island of Guam.
Hagåtña residents are zoned to:
- Carlos L. Taitano Elementary School (Sinajana)
- Jose L.G. Rios Middle School (Piti)
- John F. Kennedy High School (Tamuning)
Private schools in Hagåtña include:
- Academy of Our Lady of Guam (Catholic girl's high school located in Hagåtña)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Rogers, Robert F (1995). Destiny's Landfall: A History of Guam: University of Hawai'i Press. ISBN 0-8248-1678-1
- Carter, Lee D; Carter, Rosa Roberto; Wuerch, William L (1997). Guam History: Perspectives Volume One: MARC. ISBN 1-878453-28-9
- Sanchez, Pedro C. Guahan, Guam: The History of our Island: Sanchez Publishing House.
- (1996) Kinalamten Pulitikat: Sinenten I Chamorro: Issues in Guam's Political Development: The Chamorro Perspective: The Political Status Education Coordinating Commission. ISBN 1-883488-03-6
[edit] External links
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Territory of Guam Hagåtña (capital) |
|---|---|
| Topics |
Geography | Economy | Demographics | Communications | Transportation |
| Islands | |
| Villages |
Agana Heights | Agat | Asan‑Maina | Barrigada | Chalan‑Pago‑Ordot | Dededo | Hagåtña | Inarajan | Mangilao | Merizo | Mongmong‑Toto‑Maite | Piti | Santa Rita | Sinajana | Talofofo | Tamuning | Umatac | Yigo | Yona |
