Hagåtña, Guam

Agana Hagatna
General Information
Population:	1,100 (2000 census) ^*
Ethnic Groups:	Chamorro, American

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. ^*

In 1998, the territorial legislature changed the name from Agana (pronounced (International Phonetic Alphabet)) to Hagåtña to more closely match the Chamorro/Chamoru pronunciation.

Government

The Legislature, the Office of the Govenor and other political offices are located in this city.

Shopping

Unlike many villages, central Hagåtña is divided into city blocks with shops and small restaurants throughout the center of the village. The city holds the Agana Shopping Center, the Agana Theaters, and Chamorro Village shopping area.

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 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. Pre-Spanish stone pillars known as Latte Stones can be visited in nearby Latte Park.

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.

During Guam's liberation from the Japanese during World War II, the city was heavily damaged by 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.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3 km² (1 mi²). Hagåtña 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.

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

External links

Villages of Guam | Capitals in Oceania | Capitals of political divisions in the United States | Guam