Hagåtña (; ; formerly in English: Agana , in
Spanish
Spanish might refer to:
* Items from or related to Spain:
**Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain
**Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries
**Spanish cuisine
Other places
* Spanish, Ontario, Can ...
: Agaña) is the
capital village of the United States territory of
Guam
Guam (; ch, Guåhan ) is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. It is the westernmost point and territory of the United States (reckoned from the geographic cent ...
. From the 18th through mid-20th century, it was Guam's population center, but today it is the second smallest of the island's 19
villages
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town (although the word is often used to describe both hamlets and smaller towns), with a population typically ranging from a few hundred to ...
in both area and population. However, it remains one of the island's major
commercial district
A commercial district or commercial zone is any part of a city or town in which the primary land use is commercial activities ( shops, offices, theaters, restaurants and so on), as opposed to a residential neighbourhood, an industrial zone, or ...
s in addition to being the seat of government.
Etymology
"Hagåt" (also
romanized as ''haga, with a glottal stop instead of a syllable-final "t") means "blood" in the
Chamorro language
Chamorro (; ch, Finuʼ Chamorro, links=no (CNMI), (Guam)) is an Austronesian language spoken by about 58,000 people (about 25,800 people on Guam and about 32,200 in the rest of the Mariana Islands and elsewhere). It is the native and spoken l ...
. The suffix "-ña" can be translated as either the possessive pronouns ''his'', ''hers'' or ''its'' in English (cognate to ''-nya'' in
Malay), or a signification of greater comparative degree, similar to some uses of the English suffix "-er". There is much speculation that the indigenous peoples originally migrated from the village of Agat/
Hagåt. Therefore, "Hagåtña" can be translated "his or her blood" possibly meaning "related to him, her or it", or it could be translated to what might roughly mean "more Hagåt", as in, an extension of the village of Hagåt. It could also mean "better Hagåt", or "more than, surpassing or superior to Hagåt" in a sense of being "more Hagåt than Hagåt itself". In 1998, the
Guam Legislature changed the name from "Agana" back to the original Chamorro/Chamoru form. However, the name of the neighboring village
Agana Heights remains unchanged.
Geography
Hagåtña is located at the mouth of the
Hagåtña River on Guam's west coast. According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of t ...
, the city has a total area of 1 square mile (2.6 km²). It is (by direction of travel) the westernmost
state or territorial capital city of the United States. The village is bounded by the sandy beaches of Agana Bay to the north, the Hagåtña River and associated wetlands to the east, and a cliff (above which is the village of Agana Heights) to the South. Several high-rise office buildings are in the center of the village, while the western portion of the city known as Anigua is more residential. Unlike many villages, central Hagåtña is divided into city blocks with shops and small restaurants throughout the center of the village. Highly populated residential areas in the villages of
Mongmong-Toto-Maite,
Sinajana, and
Agana Heights surround Hagåtña.
Climate
The city has a
tropical rainforest climate
A tropical rainforest climate, humid tropical climate or equatorial climate is a tropical climate sub-type usually found within 10 to 15 degrees latitude of the equator. There are some other areas at higher latitudes, such as the coast of southea ...
(Köppen: ''Af'') similar to that found in the
Amazon Basin. Rainfall is high especially from June to November, reaching in a single month in August 1997, whilst the year 2004 was the wettest in history with .
The only time Hagåtña got snow was when a cold front from the Philippines reached Guam.
History
Hagåtña was a prominent village before Guam's
colonization by the Spanish. In 1668, the first Spanish
missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group which is sent into an area in order to promote its faith or provide services to people, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care, and economic development.Thomas Hale 'On Being a Mi ...
, Padre
San Vitores arrived on the island. The family of
Chief Kepuha
Kepuha (died 1669), also spelled Kipuhá or Quipuha, was the island of Guam's first Catholic chief. He granted land in the village of Hagåtña to Spanish missionaries, upon which was built the first Catholic church in the Mariana Islands.
Biog ...
donated land in Hagåtña enabling San Vitores to build the first church (
Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica) on Guam.
Under Spanish rule, and particularly the
Spanish-Chamorro Wars, much of the indigenous population of Guam and other
Mariana Islands was forced to relocate to the city. The remains of buildings from the Spanish administration can be seen in the Plaza de España located beside the cathedral of the
Archdiocese of Agana. The remains of the Spanish Governor's Palace is here and is closer to the Department of Education than the Cathedral.
After Guam was ceded by
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
to the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
in the
Spanish–American War
, partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence
, image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg
, image_size = 300px
, caption = (cloc ...
of 1898, 'Agana' remained the seat of government under U.S. Naval Administration. By 1940, the city's population had grown to about 10,000 containing nearly half of the island's residents. Villages had been established nearby for immigrants from the
Caroline Islands
The Caroline Islands (or the Carolines) are a widely scattered archipelago of tiny islands in the western Pacific Ocean, to the north of New Guinea. Politically, they are divided between the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in the ce ...
.
Guam was captured by
Japanese forces on December 8, 1941. The Japanese, renamed Guam Ōmiya-jima (
ja.: 大宮島) or ''Great Shrine Island'', and Agana Akashi (
ja.: 明石) or ''Bright Stone''. During Guam's 1944 liberation from the Japanese during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
, the city was heavily damaged by U.S. naval bombardment. Many former residents settled in other parts of Guam after the war. As part of Guam's reconstruction plan, the
U.S. Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage o ...
constructed new straight city streets that passed through existing lots and created many plots of land with multiple owners. This has hindered the development of the city to the present day. In December 1944 Guam was the scene of the
Agana race riot, between black and white servicemen stationed on the island.
Today, despite a resident population of about 1,000 (less than 1% of Guam's total), the city remains the seat of the territorial government. Its historic sites are major attractions for visitors. Hagåtña is served by
Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport in
Tamuning and
Barrigada
Barrigada ( ch, Barigåda) is a village in the United States territory of Guam. A largely residential municipality, its main village is located south of the Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport near the intersections of Routes 8, 10, and 16. ...
.
Culture
As Guam's historic population and administrative center, many traditional celebrations take place in Hagåtña. On December 8,
Santa Marian Kamalen, Patroness of the
Mariana Islands, is honored with a procession in which a statue of the patroness is pulled on a cart amid the prayers of thousands of the island's
Catholic
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
s. Guam's most celebrated patriotic holiday,
Liberation Day
Liberation Day is a day, often a public holiday, that marks the liberation of a place, similar to an independence day. Liberation marks the date of either a revolution, as in Cuba, the fall of a dictatorship, as in Portugal, or the end of an oc ...
, is on July 21. The annual Liberation Day Parade takes place on Marine Corps Drive in Hagåtña. In addition to the historic sites at the Plaza de España and the Basilica,
Latte Stone Park and the Chamorro Village shopping area offer further information about the island's history and culture.
Demographics
The
U.S. Census Bureau has the municipality a single
census-designated place
A census-designated place (CDP) is a Place (United States Census Bureau), concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only.
CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the count ...
.
Infrastructure and government
The island's capital, the
legislature
A legislature is an assembly with the authority to make law
Law is a set of rules that are created and are enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior,Robertson, ''Crimes against humanity'', 90. with its p ...
, the governor's office and other government offices are in Hagåtña. The Government House ( ch, Guma I Taotao Guam), traditionally the governor's official residence, is situated above the cliff but technically within the city limit of Hagåtña.
Adelup Point
Adelup Point is limestone promontory in Hagåtña, Guam that extends into the Philippine Sea and separates Asan Bay from Hagåtña Bay. It has been the site of the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor's Complex since 1990. Adelup is therefore a metonym ...
is the home of the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor's Complex.
The
Guam Department of Corrections operates the Hagåtña Detention Facility in Hagåtña.
Notable federal government agencies in Hagåtña include the
District Court of Guam at 520 West Soledad Avenue, the
United States Attorney
United States attorneys are officials of the U.S. Department of Justice who serve as the chief federal law enforcement officers in each of the 94 U.S. federal judicial districts. Each U.S. attorney serves as the United States' chief federal ...
at Sirena Plaza, 108 Hernan Cortez, Suite 500, and the
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service (USPS), also known as the Post Office, U.S. Mail, or Postal Service, is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for providing postal service in the U ...
Post Office at 223 West Chalan Santo Papa.
Twin towns and sister cities
Hagåtña is
twinned with:
*
Guadalajara,
Jalisco, Mexico
*
Quezon City
Quezon City (, ; fil, Lungsod Quezon ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read in Filipino as Kyusi), is the most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 2,960,048 people. It was fou ...
, Philippines, since October 2000
*
Malolos City
Malolos, officially the City of Malolos ( fil, Lungsod ng Malolos), is a 1st class component city and capital of the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 261,189 people.
It is the capital city ...
, Philippines
*
Legazpi City
Legazpi, officially the City of Legazpi ( bcl, Siyudad nin Legazpi; fil, Lungsod ng Legazpi), is a 1st class component city and capital of the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 209,533. Legazpi ...
, Philippines
*
*
Education
Primary and secondary schools
Public schools
The
Guam Department of Education serves the entire island of Guam.
Hagåtña residents are zoned to:
*Carlos L. Taitano Elementary School (
Sinajana)
*Jose L. G. Rios Middle School (
Piti
Piti may refer to:
* Pīti, a mental factor in Buddhism
* PITI, the principal, interest, taxes, and insurance sum of a mortgage payment
* Piti (food), a soup dish of Central Asia
* Piti (footballer) (born 1981), Spanish footballer
* Piti, Guam
* Pi ...
)
*
John F. Kennedy High School (
Tamuning)
Private schools
Private schools in Hagåtña include:
*
Academy of Our Lady of Guam (Catholic girls' high school in Hagåtña)
*
Harvest Christian Academy (Christian school in Mong Mong Toto Maite)
Public libraries
The
Guam Public Library System operates the Nieves M. Flores Memorial Library at 254 Martyr Street in Hagåtña.
Sites of interest
*
Gregorio D. Perez Marina (formerly, Agana Boat Basin)
*
Agana Shopping Center
*
Chamorro Village
*
Chief Quipuha Park
*
Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica
*
Fort Santa Agueda
*
Guam Congress Building
*
Guam Museum
The Guam Museum, formally the Senator Antonio M. Palomo Guam Museum & Chamorro Educational Facility, is a museum focusing on the history of Guam, a U.S. territory in Micronesia. A permanent building to house the museum's collection opened in Hag� ...
*
Latte Stone Park
*
Paseo Stadium
*
Plaza de España Plaza de España (Square of Spain) may refer to:
In Spain
* Plaça d'Espanya, Barcelona in Barcelona
* Plaça d'Espanya (Palma) in Palma, Mallorca
* Plaza de España, Madrid in Madrid
* Plaza de España (Pontevedra) in Pontevedra
* Plaza de Es ...
*
Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor's Complex
*
San Antonio Bridge (Tollai Achote)
*
Sirena Park
Notable people
*
Sian Proctor, commercial astronaut
*
Jason Cunliffe, Guam international footballer.
*
Ann Curry
Ann Curry (born November 19, 1956) is an American journalist and photojournalist, who has been a reporter for more than 30 years, focused on human suffering in war zones and natural disasters. Curry has reported from the wars in Kosovo, Iraq, S ...
, journalist. Born in Agaña.
*
Venancio Roberto, two-day
Governor of Guam.
*
Kimberley Santos, Miss World 1980 (succeeded).
*
Frank Camacho, mixed martial artist
Government
References
*Rogers, Robert F (1995). Destiny's Landfall: A History of Guam: University of Hawai'i Press.
*Carter, Lee D; Carter, Rosa Roberto; Wuerch, William L (1997). Guam History: Perspectives Volume One: MARC.
*Sanchez, Pedro C. Guahan, Guam: The History of our Island: Sanchez Publishing House.
*(1996) Kinalamten Pulitikat: Sinenten I Chamorro: Issues in Guam's Political Development: The Chamorro Perspective: The Political Status Education Coordinating Commission.
External links
Guampedia, Guam's Online Encyclopedia Hagåtña Villageat Guam Portal
– Government of Guam
Virtual Hagåtña*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hagatna, Guam
Villages in Guam
Capitals in Oceania
Capitals of political divisions in the United States