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Agat is a village on the island of Guam, an unincorporated territory of the United States. It is located south of Apra Harbor on the island's western shore. As of the 2000 census, the population of Agat was 5,656.
The village is governed by an elected mayor and council. Most of the residents of Agat are ethnic Chamorro, the indigenous people of Guam. Some of Agat's most notable sites are Mt. Alifan, the Agat Marina, the Spanish Bridge, and the War In The Pacific National Historical Park.
History
In 1565, the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi claimed Guam for Spain. Agat was founded by the Spanish as a military garrison for the purpose of controlling the Chamorro people and converting them to Christianity. It was one of six such settlements on Guam in the 18th century. During the 1830s, the Spanish Governor, Captain Villalobos, began constructing facilities in Agat planning to make it the island's new capital. Lack of funds prevented him from completing the project.
In 1898, Guam was transferred from Spain to the United States following the Spanish-American War. Under U.S. Naval administration, Agat was incorporated as a township with an American style municipal government.
During World War II, Japan occupied Guam from 1941 to 1944. During the Battle of Guam in 1944, Agat was one of the two landing sites for U.S. Marines. These sites are now part of the War In The Pacific National Historical Park.
After capturing Guam, the U.S. military constructed a new residential community in Agat for Guam residents made homeless by the war.
Ethnic Groups
89% Chamorro 8% Micronesian 2% Asian 1% Other
See also
References
- Rogers, Robert F (1995). Destiny's Landfall: A History of Guam: University of Hawai'i Press. ISBN 0-8248-1678-1
- Sanchez, Pedro C. Guahan, Guam: The History of our Island: Sanchez Publishing House.
External links
"Agat, Guam"