Tuesday 25 September 2012

Guam



Guam is an organized, unicorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. The total population is nearly 160,000. The island's capital is Hagåtña (formerly Agaña). Guam is the largest and southmost of the Marana Islands (48 km long and 6-19 km wide).
The island has a long history of European colonialism, beginning with its discovery by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521The first colony was established in 1668 by Spain with the arrival of settlers includingPadre San Vitores, a Catholic missionary. For more than two centuries Guam was an important stopover for the SpanishManila Galleons that crossed the Pacific annually. The island was controlled by Spain until 1898, when it was surrendered to the United States during the Spanish-American War and later formally ceded as part of the Treaty of ParisToday, Guam's economy is supported by its principal industry, tourism, which is composed primarily of visitors from Japan.
A coral table reef with deepwater channels surrounds most of Guam. Sandy beaches, rock cliff lines and mangroves characterize the coastline area. Sheer limestone coastal cliffs dominate the north, while the southern end of the island is mountainous, with lower hills in between. Another example of Guam natural beauties are these Sigua Falls in the interior of Guam.


I don't know exactly why, but this view reminds me so much of this, very known, song. Enjoy the music!
I'd like to thank to K. for this, my very first postcard, from Guam. She says is's been pretty hot there these days. Well, after such a hot and dry summer I can't stand heat anymore as well. Anyway, thanks!


                                  

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