The island was formed millions of years ago when a pair of volcanoes sank beneath the ocean leaving only their twin peaks above sea level. The lava remains of the southern volcano eventually fused with the older northern crater. This crater's limestone top was formed underwater by the actions of an extensive coral polyp community.

Guam is made up of volcanic hills, which rise to a maximum height of 1,334 feet above sea level. But, measured from its base at the bottom of the Marianas Trench (30000 ft plus!), Mount Humuyong Manglo is the highest mountain in the world.

Rivers cut through this terrain and high waterfalls abound. The central and northern sections of the island consist of a limestone plateau as high as 600 feet with steep cliffs dropping down to a narrow coastal shelf. The towering cliffs are tunnelled with caves formed by the relentless and pounding surf.

Apra Harbor is considered one of the region's finest commercial ports. It is also a favourite spot for divers and snorkellers. It is one of the few commercial ports in the world featuring a spectacular live reef with an abundant population of colourful fish and other forms of marine life.

A majority of hotel, business, and residential centres are on the western side of the island facing the tranquil Philippine Sea. A drive along the eastern coast boasts breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean thundering against the narrow coastal shelf.

How To Get There

Guam is the southernmost and largest of the islands in the Mariana archipelago, a group of 15 islands located within approximately three hours of major Asian cities. Guam lies 13 degrees 38 minutes North latitude and 144 degrees 44 minutes East longitude.

The island is the western most territory of the United States and 15 hours ahead of the Eastern Seaboard Time Zone. Hence, the popular slogan is often used: Guam, "Where America's Day Begins".

With Continental Micronesia having their headquarters here, Guam does serve as a hub for most travel into and out of Micronesia.

Guam's airport services more than six airlines and four domestic carriers on a daily basis. Up to 2.8 million passengers were transported in 1995. Flights are available to the U.S. mainland by way of Hawaii, Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries, as well as islands throughout the Pacific including Cairns in Australia.

Climate

As in most tropical islands in the western Pacific, the weather on Guam is warm throughout the year with less humidity from November through March. The mean annual temperature near sea level is about 81 F (27.2 C) with monthly means ranging from 80 F (26.7 C) in January to a little over 82 F (27.8 C) in June.

Rarely does the temperature exceed 90 F (32.2 C) during the daytime hours or fall below 70 F (21.1 C) at night.

The relative humidity commonly exceeds 84 percent at night throughout the year, but the average monthly humidity hovers near 66 per cent.

Guam's climate is characterized by two distinct seasons a dry season from January to May, and a rainy season from July to November: June and December are transitional months. The mean annual rainfall varies from about 80 inches in the central and coastal lowlands up to 110 inches on the uplands in southern Guam.

The easterly trade winds, usually between 4 and 12 miles per hour (mph), are dominant throughout the year. Only occasionally do winds exceed 24 mph, except during major tropical storms or typhoons small-scale storms, or squalls, can occur at any time and with little notice.

Culture And Geography

A majority of the island is surrounded by a coral table reef with deep water channels. The coastline, areas are characterized by sandy beaches, rocky, cliff lines, and mangroves. The relatively flat north is home to a majority of Guam's population and businesses, while in the south, cascading waterfalls, seldom visited hiking trails, and an abundance of lush agricultural lands laid to the aura of a relaxed and laid back island lifestyle.

Guam is considered the hub of the western Pacific and undeniably Micronesia's most cosmopolitan destination - a true example of the American melting pot. In addition to the indigenous Chamorros and 'stateside' Americans, Guam boasts large populations of Filipinos, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, and Micronesian Islanders, as well as a few Vietnamese, Indians, and Europeans.

Historical landmarks, coupled with the natural beauty of Guam, offer numerous sights of interest. "Latte", which served as foundation pillars for the thatched huts of the Chamorros, are found in parks and out-of-the-way jungle areas. The graceful remains of Spanish buildings, the Plaza De Espana, and stone bridges may be seen in Hagåtña, Guam's capital. In other locations throughout the island, the Spanish influence is clearly visible in the architectural design of Guam's southern homes and villages.

Diving

Three hundred varieties of coral make Guam a diver's delight. Whales, dolphins, mantas and skip jacks are just some of the sea life seen offshore. Popular wreck dives include a World War II Japanese "Zero", a U.S. tanker and a World War I German cruiser. The waters at Asan Beach contain several pieces of submerged military equipment embedded in the colourful coral reefs. Snorkelling is an absolute must to discover the multitude of exotic coral and marine life to be found alongside ocean treasures of incomparable beauty that line the reef.

Guam has long been overlooked by divers on their way to Yap, Palau or Truk. There is some great diving in Guam, especially the wrecks are for sure worth some dives. The SMS Cormoran and the Tokai Maru, two great wrecks awaiting for the intrepid wreck diver. The former went down during WW I in 1917 and the latter 1944 during WW II. Where in the world do you have 2 wrecks from both World Wars at one dive site, on top at each other?!
Another World War II wreck is the Kitzugawa Maru, an outstanding and interesting dive. Apart from wreck diving, Guam also has wonderful walls and reefs.

Guam waters maintain a temperature of 82-86 (28C) degrees year 'round with excellent visibility at most locations. Apra Harbor divesites generally have visibility in the 30-60'(10-20m) range, and all "outside" reefs offer 100-150' (33m) and more. Above water we are terribly spoiled with temperatures consistently between 75-90 (24-29C) every day!

With a few exceptions, diving on Guam is VERY EASY. There are numerous walk-in reef dives, and a very wide choice of boat dive sites. There are virtually no swells 95% of the year, and most divesites are within an easy 10-20 minute ride by boat.

Other Activities

Some people say that Guam's main tourist strip, Tumon Beach, is a little Hawaii. It is certainly a much smaller and intimate setting, which still does not lack any of the modern diversions.

Jet skiing, trips to watch wild pods of spinner dolphins, river cruises, ocean dinner cruises, underwater observatories, ocean parasailing, heli-tours, eco-tours, and snorkelling are popular activities. There are also amusement parks as Underwater World or Stephen Spielberg's Game World. Hotels do offer Thai massages and fitness studios and some of the best restaurants in the western pacific can be found here.

The island's duty-free status means that name brand merchandise are often less expensive than its country of origin. The variety of retail shops on Guam can satisfy any shopper - from Tiffany's, Chanel, to K-Mart. In addition to outlet shops and malls, the island also offers shoppers with the I Sengsong Chamorro Village, a venue to purchase local handicrafts. With all the modern bustling, you should not miss to check out the ancient culture. Petroglyph (Cave Paintings) and Latte Stones (pillars which supported ancient structures and houses) provide insight into the lives of the Chamorro people in their earliest times. Spanish ruins and World War II memorials are reminders of more recent history. Many WWII memorial plaques do give a graphic insight into the recent history of the place.