Villages of Guam

The United States territory of Guam is divided into nineteen municipalities, called villages. Each village is governed by an elected mayor. Village populations range in size from under 1,000 to over 40,000. As of the 2000 census, the total population of Guam was 154,805.[1] Each village is counted as a single county equivalent by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes.[2]

list of Villages of Guam
CategoryFederal Unit
Number19
Populations782 (Umatac) – 44,943 (Dededo)
Areas1 square mile (2.6 km2) (Sinajana) – 35 square miles (91 km2) (Yigo)
GovernmentCounty government

History

Many villages have rich histories reaching back thousands of years. Artifacts from ancient Chamorro settlements can be found in every village of Guam. When the Spanish Empire colonized the Marianas Islands as part of its Pacific possessions in the 16th and 17th centuries, the island was divided into separate districts with each district consisting of a parish with a village center governed by an alcalde, appointed by the island's governor.

In the 18th century, there were six parishes on Guam: Hagåtña, Hagat, Humåtak, Malesso', Inalåjan, and Pago.

Prior to Spanish colonization, Chamorro people regularly held village celebrations. After adopting Christianity, these celebrations became fiestas in honor of the patron saint of each village. Annual village fiestas are still held throughout the island every year.

The current division of Guam into municipalities took place in the 1920s under United States Navy Administration.

List of villages

Village Area
km²
Population
(2010
census)
Population
(2000
census)
Region
[3]
Pop.
density
(2000)
Agana Heights 2.68 3,808 3,940 Central 1,470
Agat 27.19 4,917 5,656 South 210
Asan-Maina 14.35 2,137 2,090 Central 150
Barrigada 21.96 8,875 8,652 Central 390
Chalan-Pago-Ordot 14.73 6,822 5,923 Central 400
Dededo 79.16 44,943 42,980 North 540
Hagåtña 2.33 1,051 1,100 Central 470
Inarajan 48.82 2,273 3,052 South 60
Mangilao 26.45 15,191 13,313 Central 500
Merizo 16.39 1,850 2,152 South 130
Mongmong-Toto-Maite 4.79 6,825 5,845 Central 1,220
Piti 19.26 1,454 1,666 Central 90
Santa Rita 41.89 6,084 7,500 South 180
Sinajana 2.20 2,592 2,853 Central 1,300
Talofofo 45.81 3,050 3,215 South 70
Tamuning (including Tumon) 14.66 19,685 18,012 North 1,230
Umatac 16.63 782 887 South 50
Yigo 91.71 20,539 19,474 North 210
Yona 52.53 6,480 6,484 South 120
Guam 543.52 159,358 154,794   285

See also

Notes

  1. https://www.census.gov/census2000/guam.html
  2. "Geographic Levels". United States Census Bureau. Suitland, Maryland. September 12, 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-10-31. Retrieved 2007-12-31.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

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.
  • Districts of Guam, United States Census Bureau


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