Guam

Did you know?

• 🏝An organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the western Pacific Ocean, forming the largest and southernmost island of the Marianas.
• 🏳️What does its flag mean? The deep blue field represents the vast waters of the Pacific Ocean surrounding Guam, while the red border symbolizes the blood spilled by the indigenous Chamorro people during colonial occupation and World War II. The oval seal — shaped like a traditional Chamorro sling stone used in hunting and warfare — depicts Agana Bay, a coconut tree symbolizing self-sustenance, and a traditional proa outrigger sailboat representing navigation skills.
• 🌅Where America's day begins: Guam's official slogan is 'Where America's Day Begins' because it is located on the west side of the International Date Line, making it the first US territory to see each new calendar day.
• 🐍The brown tree snake phenomenon: After being accidentally introduced via cargo ships after WWII, the brown tree snake population boomed, leading to the near-extinction of almost all native forest bird species on the island.
• 🏺Prehistoric latte stones: Guam is famous for latte stones, ancient stone pillars with hemispherical capstones built by the indigenous Chamorro people starting around 800 AD as foundations for elevated homes.