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INTRODUCTION

I you do nothing else when you visit Guam, youshould embrace the opportunity to rediscover and connectwith the essence o our Chamorro culture.

Te Chamorro language is something that we have beenstriving to preserve and protect throughout the increaseo ethnic mixing over the years. oday, the efort to teachGuams native language is present in our schools, ouruniversity, and our community. Learning the language on

your home island helps uel the dream that one day ourChamorro children will once again be able to speak uently.

Te history o ourisland can be witnessedall around, romstructures reminiscento the Spanish era toWWII monumentsthat highlight thebattles and struggleso Chamorro people

to maintain reedom.Sightseeing, books, and oral accounts o our manamko(elders) are just a ew ways to educate yoursel on the eventso our islands history and Guams relationship with the resto the world.

Besides learning the islands history, one o the mostcustomary eforts to carry on our culture is through oldtraditions. Fiestas - village-wide celebrations introducedby the Spanish in 1668 - allow residents and visitors theopportunity to experience an activity shared by our ancestors

long ago. A weekend at a esta will remind you o the islandshospitality and the comort o amily and riends.

Youll nd tables covered with tasty Chamorro cuisinpeople dancing and singing along to the sounds o talentlocal artists. Fiestas have been and will always be one o tbest ways to celebrate our heritage.

You can still witnessamilies carrying ontime-honored customso christening parties,andangos (weddings),

novenas, unerals, andd e a t h - a n n i v e r s a r y rosaries, all o whichare inspired by our richSpanish inuence.

While estas symbolize our Chamorro heritage, the annuLiberation Day Parade held annually on July 21 serves a symbol o reedom or Chamorro people. Marine CorDrive, the annual parade site, is hwere amilies and rien

line the streets to watoats and marchi

groups celebrate tislands liberation roJapanese orces WWII. Accompaniby local ood, musand entertainmethe parade is our sio the promise

independence. Tere are also numerous monuments locatthroughout the island dedicated to depicting the eventsWWII on Guam.

VISITING

FAMILY & FRIENDS

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With the richest coral ree marine environment o any UnitStates territory or state, youll discover more than 950 fspecies and more than 300 coral varieties. Shipwrecks alsurround Guams waters as remnants o WWI, WWII, anthe gold bearing Manila Galleon trading days.

Water activities are not the only pastime when it comes vacationing on Guam. Whether you are seeking a romanwedding, an experience in the traditional Chamorro cultu

an irresistible shopping environment, or 18 holes at oo Guams seven gol courses designed by legends ArnoPalmer and Jack Nicklaus, our island is the perect holiddestination.

For those who preer to stay indoors, Guam also oersvariety o activities to experience. Check out the latest luxuashions at DFS Galleria, umon Sands Plaza, or Te Plaza

umon. Mid-level boutiquare also available at GuaPremier Outlets, MicronesMall, Agana Shoppi

Center, and dozens o lochandicra shops throughoumon and villages acrothe island. ake a break roshopping without breakia sweat at the UnderwatWorld aquarium in umonPleasure Island. Tere ycan discover marine lwhile staying dry.

o discover the ancient Chamorro heritage in a nelight, there are several historic and cultural sites you mvisit throughout the island. ake an island tour rom wLovers Point in the north, to Plaza de Espaa, Angel SantMemorial Park, and the many World War II memorial sitin the central part o the island. Venture down south a Jungle River Cruise, then back up to the islands capitcity or a trip to the Chamorro Village Night Marketavailable on Wednesday and Friday evenings. In additioto the many sites you can see year-round, dont miss thtraditional holiday celebrations on Guam. Village festas aheld almost monthly to honor patron saints throughout t

island. Teyre the best place to meet new and old riendand enjoy delicious ood.

Predominantly Catholic, Guam residents celebrate aprocession in honor o Santa Marian Kamalen, the islandspatron saint, on Dec. 8 each year. Te streets o Hagta areflled with Catholics celebrating the tradition o a aith and

culture that has existed onGuam or decades. Adultsand children use this day tohonor the aith that continuesto unite Chamorros.

Another tradition that hascontinued to progress overthe years is the night market atChamorro Village, designedto resemble an old Spanishmarket. Restaurants, shops,and vendors complementthe myriad o local cuisinechoices at the village, now a

popular site or visitors and locals on Wednesday and Fridayevenings. People rom all over the island travel to Hagta

to join in un and estivities each week. Te night market hasbecome so common on Guam that its grown into a traditionChamorros enjoy regularly with riends and amily.

SOME CALL IT PARADISE,

WE CALL IT HOMEWhile on Guam, no matter how long your stay,

appreciating the island or its natural beauty is an importantstep to rediscovering your past. As children we can stillremember the beauty o exploring the lush green jungle andhiking trails to some o Guams most beautiul wateralls and

caves, and enjoying local gardens ull o tropical plants andruits. Indulge in the ora and auna o Guam, including theabundant hibiscus, plumeria, red gingers, ixoras, lantanas,and the territory ower, bougainvillea (puti tai nobio).And i youre craving local ruits, its easy to fnd papayas,bananas, coconuts, limes, breadruits, mangoes, guavas, starapples, and tangerines.

Outdoor events and activities nowadays are more readilyavailable or your adventure needs. Some things that werentthought o beore are right at your fngertips. Embraceyour adventurous side with tandem skydiving, jet skiing,parasailing, kite surfng, or scuba diving.

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I youre traveling with your signifcant other, Guamhas everything you need to make your wedding one toremember. With a number o serene chapels and fve-starhotels complete with honeymoon suites, youll be hardpressed to fnd a place more romantic. Guam is currentlyincreasing in popularity as a honeymoon spot among

visitors rom Asia andbeyond.

When the festa and the

romantic dinner is over,look no urther thanumons Pleasure Islandor your local village baror a variety o ways toexperience the islandsnightlie. You can gorom a low-key eveningat Chamorro Village toa night o dancing tointernational club mixesat any o the islands

world-renowned dance clubs. Each place oers somethingdierent.

Teres a number o choices - both indoors and out - tospend quality time with amily and riends aer the partyis over. ry camping with amilia (amily) along the beach,just like you did when you were younger. Or a guidedboonie stomp (hike) around the waterall valleys, historicsites, and luscious jungle landscapes on the island. ry 18holes with an old riend at any o Guams seven gol courses,and get an ocean view in the process. Guam now boasts top

level courses designed by legends Arnold Palmer and JackNicklaus.

LOCAL, QUALITY EDUCATIONHigher education is becoming increasingly

important on Guam, sparking an ongoing eort todevelop our institutions o higher learning. Island leadersview craing Guams uture leaders as an importantresponsibility. Many students who opt to leave the islandor college oen return home to enter the work orceor pursue masters degrees at t he University o Guam.

Many college students choose adventure by spendingsemester or a year abroad, away rom their amilies and homcolleges. Te University o Guam partners with mainlauniversities in exchange programs and brings to the islaa wealth o diversity. Bachelors degree programs inclubusiness, public administration, education, nursing, scienand the arts. UOG is especially known or its quality maribiology research and has gained recognition as administerithe number one ROC program nationwide.

Additionally Guam Community College oers associatdegrees and certicicates in more than 50 areas o studrades are available in felds such as automotive technologcosmetology, practical nursing, and much more. Satellcampuses include the University o Phoenix, the Universo Maryland, and roy University in Alabama.

OUR OWN LITTLE STRIPGuam may not be Las Vegas, but youll be surpris

at how much our small island has grown. umon hevolved into a network o fve-star hotels, restaurants, ba

nightclubs, and numerous shopping options. It has becomhub or all kinds o entertainment - or visitors and residen- and Hagta is picking up the pace too.

Despite our islands small population, a wide array o dinichoices oer the international cuisine o your choice. FroChamorro usion to Japanese, Korean, Italian, FilipinVietnamese, Chinese, Indian, and even Mexican, Guamdining choices have expanded. Major hotels serve qualmeals oentimes accompanied by dinner shows, includithose at SandCastle, Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, and tPacifc Islands Club.

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Dont orget to stock up on local handicrafs during yourstay, rom memorabilia to artwork, dishware, clothing,and household items. Small shops in each o the islands 19villages oer local goods, or you can nd them at ChamorroVillage. aking something rom Guam with you back homeprovides a keepsake or you to remember your island andhelps support local businesses.

GATEWAY TO ASIA

Coming home no longer limits your opportunities

or exploring other parts o the world. Our island has becomea major hub or travel and a haven or visitors rom Japan,Micronesia, and other major Asian countries. Te island

has capitalized on being known as the America in Asia.Whether you live here or are merely visiting amily andriends, theres always a way to discover new lands. With a4 to 5-hour plane ride, you can explore places like Manila,okyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, aipei, Seoul, and o course ourneighbors in the Commonwealth o the Northern MarianasIslands (Saipan, inian, Rota), the Republic o Palau, andthe Federated States o Micronesia (Chuuk, Pohnpei, Yap,

and Kosrae).

SUPPORTING OUR ARMED FORCES

Guam is home to two strategic U.S. bases - NavBase Guam in Santa Rita and Andersen Air Force Base Yigo - as well as the Guam Army National Guard. Tousano sailors, airmen, and soldiers that call our island homsignicantly contribute to the local economy, making tmilitary the second largest contributor to the islands grodomestic product behind tourism. Currently Guam bracing or a possible inux o about 17,000 U.S. Marinand dependents beginning 2014, pending their relocati

rom Okinawa, Japan. Details o their move are still ongoin

Many Chamorros serve proudly in the U.S. Armed Forcwhich the islands people honor greatly. Military bases Guam give local residents an option to be stationed heEven i its just or a couple o years, you can surrouyoursel with amily, and expose yoursel to the islandgrowth by joining the Guam Army National Guard, tU.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, or the UCoast Guard.

A SNAPSHOT OF GUAMGuam is home to a tropical climate, with averayearly temperatures o 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Evenitemperatures rarely all below 70; daily highs rarely exce90. Chamorro and English are primarily spoken on tisland, although many businesses employ multilingual sta

Guam is 10 hours ahead oGreenwich Meridian ime. Telocal currency is the U.S. dollarand most major credit cards arewidely accepted. Te electrical

current is the same as the U.S.mainland - 120 volts/60 cycles.

Guam has become a state-o-the-art destination withluxuries the rest o the worldenjoys. High-speed Internetand cellular service makeit easy to stay in touch, andbrand name hotels line the islands shores.

For more inormation, contact:

GUAM VISITORS BUREAU

401 Pale San Vitores Roadumon, GU 96913el: 1 (671) 646-5278/9Fax: 1 (671) 646-8861

www.visitguam.org