GUAM VISITORS BUREAU SETBISION BISITAN GUAHAN 401 Pale San Vitores Road | Tumon, Guam 96913 1 (671) 646-5278 | www.visitguam.org

Introduction to Guam Guam is also a gateway to the world and America in Asia. By air travel, our island is only three and a half hours away from many Asian cities, four and a half hours from Cairns and a little over seven hours from Hawaii. The island is an international travel hub with regular flights to Japan, Korea, The Philippines, The United States and Hawaii, Australia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. We are proud to be serviced by airlines such as United Airlines, JINAIR, Delta Air Lines, China Airlines, JAL, Eva Air, Korean Air, and Philippine Airlines.

Our island is blessed with a warm climate and scenic geography. Guam’s average daily temperature is a pleasant 85 degrees Fahrenheit With a shape reminiscent of a such as China and is ideally situated (29 degrees Celsius). The land footprint left in the sand, Guam is approximately nine hundred miles which comprises Guam rises from the largest and most populated north of the equator. The thirty- the depths of the Mariana Trench, island in Micronesia and just as its two miles of longitude Guam the deepest underwater trench in shape implies, is also a first step covers ranges from 4 to 8 miles in the world, and the limestone cliffs into the “many tiny islands” which width. Besides being a gateway which drop dramatically to the sea make up this beautiful region to Micronesia, Guam is also a in the northern part of Guam are of Micronesia. As an organized, communications, transportation contrasted with windswept rolling unincorporated U.S. territory, Guam and financial hub for the area. We hills and panoramic views to the is located in East Asia, is the are just a short plane ride away to south. Our highest mountain, Mt. closest U.S. destination many of the outer islands such as Lamlam, rises in the southern part when arriving from the Northern Mariana Islands of of the island and certainly looks tall neighboring Saipan, Rota and Tinian, Palau, the when looking up from its base, but countries Federated States of Micronesia and it is actually the tallest mountain in the Marshall Islands. Conversely, the world, when measured from its true underwater base Getting to Guam is deep below the sea. easy, and staying Further south, Cocos here is, too. There are Island sits near the rear currently combined of a turquoise lagoon over fifty hotels, at the very southern tip resorts and motels of Guam. on Guam which boast over 9000 hotel The people of Guam rooms, with new are diverse, welcoming properties typically and are well known for added regularly. Guam their friendly and warm is also brimming with hospitality. According glimmering white to the 2010 Census wedding chapels and from the U.S. Census has many qualified Bureau, there are wedding companies to island was captured by Japanese approximately 159,358 insure the important forces on December 10, 1941. people living on Guam. Although day is planned with expertise and After being occupied by the the demographics for Guam are perfection. In the near distance, Japanese for over two years, on not yet available from 2010 at overlooking many of these chapels July 21, 1944, Guam was liberated the time of this writing, as of the is Two Lovers Point, one of Guam’s by the U.S. and remains to this 2000 Census the population of most regularly visited sites, and day a part of the United States. Guam was comprised of 37.1% an often photographed landmark. In remembrance of this event, Chamorro, 26.3% Filipino and The legend of this sheer cliff tells Liberation Day remains one of 11.3% other Pacific islanders. The of a young woman, who in order the most celebrated holidays on remaining island population is to avoid a forced marriage, ran Guam with a colorful parade, air comprised of Caucasian, Asian away with a true love and rather show and island wide barbeques and other ethnicities. All people than face separation, jumped commemorating the occasion. born on Guam are U.S. citizens, to their death from the top of and the official languages the point so their love could are Chamorro and English. live on forever. In the calm As shown, overall Guam is a waters below, The Tumon varied, multicultural society Bay Marine Preserve is one of with both American and Asian Guam’s five protected marine influences. preserves, home to more than two hundred coral and five The first European contact hundred marine species, which with the Chamorro, the first helpfully can be identified native people of Guam, was through beachside kiosks and made by Ferdinand Magellan posters. Fish cards are also on March 6, 1521. The Spanish available at the Guam Visitors would consequently go on Bureau to help identify the to rule Guam for over three vibrant sea life. In addition, hundred years and much of Tumon Bay is also the heart their architectural and cultural of Guam’s tourism industry, influence can be found in where the majority of Guam’s abundance throughout the luxury hotels and resorts can island. More recently in history, be found. Guam was ceded to the U.S. following the Spanish- Guam is surrounded by a American War of 1898 and watery playground, with world changed hands again after the class snorkeling, diving and taxis, trolleys and shopping buses. and crowds of locals and visitors Golfing is a favorite pastime on the on site to enjoy the entertainment, island, with pleasant temperatures local fiesta food, music, dancing, year round and remarkable shopping and more at one of the natural vistas of verdant tropical most popular night markets on the jungle and foaming ocean waters island. awaiting the golfer at any one of our seven world class courses, When it comes to dining and with over 180 holes in total, some nightlife, both the restaurants designed by golfing legends and our bars and clubs located such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold throughout the island showcase Palmer. Conveniently, all of the delicious food and memorable golf courses on Guam are within nights. Fine dining restaurants about a twenty minute drive from feature local and international major hotels. cuisine, with entertaining dinner shows and sunset cruises sailing The Gef Pa’go Park in Inarajan into the perfect romantic evening. was created to replicate an Top notch, modern bars and authentic Chamorro Village and clubs feature DJ’s playing cutting hold demonstrations in traditional edge international sets and local water sports opportunities along weaving, cooking, coconut husking bands playing everything from with a regulated and professional and salt making. It is located in jazz, reggae to rock. Guam is dive industry. An outstanding the historic district of Inarajan also known as the place to go for coral reef rings the island and our in southern Guam. Likewise, the luxury shopping, with our duty bays boast some of the world’s Chamorro Village area in Hagåtña free retail sales environment best snorkeling, with snorkeling has a wide selection of local shops making all purchases on island tax in the open ocean also an option and vendors, cultural boutiques free. Department stores, malls and with the assistance of one of and restaurants with local and fashionable boutiques offer great Guam’s many friendly instructing international food available. On value on luxuries while local street professionals. Diving on Guam Wednesday evenings, the village markets and festivals give a taste is particularly spectacular, with comes alive with lights, sounds of locally produced goods. The Blue Hole, Hap’s Reef and the many wrecks being truly amazing spots for diving. The visibility is thirty to sixty feet in Apra Harbor and up to one hundred and fifty feet outside the reef. Guam is the only place in the world where shipwrecks from two world wars lay side by side, the SMS Cormoran and the Tokai Maru.

Sightseeing on Guam is rich in cultural and historical significance. Hiking the backcountry of the island, or the “boonies” as it is known locally can be a great adventure and guided hikes are available. Visitors can get around Guam through a wide variety of transportation, including rental cars, scooter rentals, tour buses, Locally made food is served the culture of Guam as well as the the race is for the great cause of throughout the year at village surrounding islands. At this event, raising awareness for Guam’s beloved gatherings known as fiestas, where there are many vendors selling territorial bird, the endangered Guam tables groan under the weight of traditional arts, crafts and food rail, or ko’ko bird. Whether it is for mouthwatering traditional dishes while displaying entertainment relaxation, adventure, culture or some such as barbecued meats, fish and over the course of three days in combination, we welcome you to our poultry, succulent vegetable dishes early October. Also in October, shores. and an island staple, our famous Guam hosts the Ko’ko’ Road Race, red rice, all eaten during cultural which is a half marathon and a 4 For international press inquiries, exhibitions of music and art. For a person Japanese style ekiden relay please contact the GVB taste of some more tradition, The featuring more than 1600 runners Marketing Department at Guam Micronesia Island Fair is an from Guam, Japan, Micronesia, the [email protected]. annual event sponsored by the U.S. mainland, Australia and Asia. Guam Visitors Bureau to showcase Besides being fun for all involved,