Hagåtña,[a] formerlyAgana orAgaña,[b] is a coastal village and thecapital[3] of the United States territory ofGuam. From the 18th through mid-20th century, it was Guam's population center, but today, it is the second smallest of the island's 19villages in both area and population. However, it remains one of the island's majorcommercial districts in addition to being the seat of government.
"Hagåt" (alsoromanized ashaga', with a glottal stop instead of a syllable-final "t") means "blood" in theChamorro language. The suffix "-ña" can be translated as either the possessive pronounshis,hers orits in English (cognate to-nya inMalay andIndonesian, andniya inTagalog), 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, theGuam Legislature changed the name from "Agana" back to the original Chamorro form. However, the name of the neighboring villageAgana Heights remains unchanged.
Hagåtña is located at the mouth of theHagåtña River on Guam's west coast. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1 square mile (2.6 km²). It is (by direction of travel) the westernmoststate 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 ofMongmong-Toto-Maite,Sinajana, andAgana Heights surround Hagåtña.
The city has atropical rainforest climate (Köppen:Af) similar to that found in theAmazon Basin.[4] Rainfall is high especially from June to November, reaching 978 millimeters (38.50 in) in a single month in August 1997, whilst the year 2004 was the wettest in history with 3,539 millimeters (139.33 in).[5]
Hagåtña was a prominent village before Guam'scolonization by the Spanish. In 1668, the first Spanishmissionary led by the Spanish priestSan Vitores and his team arrived on the island. The colonizers proselytized and forced the indigenousChamorro people to convert to Christianity, in many cases without consent.[7][8] One of those who converted,Chief Kepuha, donated land in Hagåtña enabling San Vitores to build the first church (Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica) on Guam, which was used by San Vitores to further colonize the indigenous peoples and their lands.[9][10]
Under Spanish rule, and particularly theSpanish-Chamorro Wars, much of the indigenous population of Guam and otherMariana Islands were forced to relocate to the city after agenocide was instigated and conducted by the Spanish, led by San Vitores, against the indigenous population.[11][12] The remains of buildings from the Spanish administration can be seen in the Plaza de España located beside the cathedral of theArchdiocese of Agaña. 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 bySpain to theUnited States in theSpanish–American War of 1898, Hagåtña 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 theCaroline Islands.
Guam was captured byJapanese forces on December 8, 1941. The Japanese renamed Guam to Ōmiya-jima (Japanese:大宮島), orGreat Shrine Island, and Hagåtña to Akashi (Japanese:明石), orBright Stone. During Guam's 1944 liberation from the Japanese duringWorld War II, 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, theU.S. Navy 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 theAgana 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 byAntonio B. Won Pat International Airport inTamuning andBarrigada.
As Guam's historic population and administrative center, many traditional celebrations take place in Hagåtña. On December 8,Santa Marian Kamalen, Patroness of theMariana 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'sCatholics.[13] Guam's most celebrated patriotic holiday,Liberation Day, 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.
The island's capital, thelegislature, the governor's office and other government offices are in Hagåtña. The Government House (Chamorro: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 is the home of the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor's Complex.
In regards to theDepartment of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Hagatna is divided between two school transportation zones. People living north ofGuam Highway 4 are zoned to Andersen Elementary and Andersen Middle School, while people living south of Guam Highway 4 are zoned to McCool Elementary and McCool Middle School.Guam High School is the island's sole DoDEA high school.[23]
Rogers, Robert F (1995). Destiny's Landfall: A History of Guam: University of Hawai'i Press.ISBN0-8248-1678-1
Carter, Lee D; Carter, Rosa Roberto; Wuerch, William L (1997).Guam History: Perspectives Volume One. MARC.ISBN1-878453-28-9.
Sanchez, Pedro C. Guahan (1987).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.ISBN1-883488-03-6
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