At 13 degrees north latitude and 144 degrees east longitude, the island of Guam is the largest in size (214 square miles), the most populated, and the southernmost of the 15 Mariana Islands in the western Pacific Ocean. In addition, the Marianas archipelago is a significant physiographic boundary with the Pacific Ocean Basin found on the eastern edge of the Philippine tectonic plate.
Marine fishes fulfill several important functions for Guam. Traditionally, fishing on coral reefs has been an important part of local CHamoru culture, and fish were valued as an important food source.
Coral Reef Fish of Guam Read Post »
Green sea turtles were once a common species of sea turtles found in Guam’s waters. They can still be seen around the island where rich seagrass beds are found, including channel areas, harbors, lagoons.
Haggan: Green Sea Turtle Read Post »
Bats in the old World family Pteropodidae have very large eyes and excellent eyesight in low light, but do not use echolocation. Within the Pteropodidae family, bats in the genus Pteropus are known as flying fox because their face and ears resembles a fox or small dog. The bats found on Guam are Pteropus mariannus, locally called fanihi or fruit bats.
Fanihi: Mariana Fruit Bat Read Post »
Created by public law in 1964, the Kumision I Fino’ Chamorro, or Chamorro Language Commission, was established as the recognized authority on Chamorro language policy for the island of Guam. Tasked with the primary duty of describing and prescribing the Chamorro language in its written form, the commission was also mandated to prepare an updated Chamorro-English dictionary.
Kumision I Fino’ CHamoru Language Commission Read Post »
Rooted in the oral tradition, the Chamorro people’s transition toward the written word is a relatively young process. With the Americanization and the emphasis on literacy during the last century, the implications of this transition became very visible at the turn of the century when the spelling of the word used to identify the indigenous population of the Marianas came under public scrutiny in Guam.
Chamorro vs. Chamoru Read Post »
Though the Chamorro language was spoken by the people of the Marianas long before European expeditions made their way to the Pacific, its written form is still relatively new, with the most significant efforts toward standardization emerging only within the last fifty years.
Chamorro Orthography Read Post »
The historical record of suicide on Guam extends back to the mid-19th century. Father Aniceto Ibáñez del Carmen in his Chronicle of the Mariana Islands recorded 18 suicides between 1861 and 1891, or an annual rate of about 12 per 100,000. The romantic legend, Puntan dos Amantes or “Two Lovers’ Point,” alludes to the presence of suicide in CHamoru society.
Suicide in Micronesia Read Post »
In 1962 the Naval Hospital provided the services of a typical community hospital to active duty members, retirees, and their dependents, and veterans at its current location in Agana Heights.
US Naval Hospital, Guam 1962-Present Read Post »
In 1966, a two-year associate of science degree nursing program began at the College of Guam, the predecessor of the University of Guam. It has since evolved into the current four-year bachelor of science in nursing program.
Nursing Program, University of Guam Read Post »
