| Â | | | | Over the past 20 years, the tourist industry has |
| The island of Guam, which is called Guahan in the | | | | grown rapidly, creating a construction boom for |
| Chamorro language; it is an unincorporated U.S. | | | | new hotels and the expansion of older ones. More |
| territory. It is the most southern of the Mariana | | | | than 1 million tourists visit Guam each year. The |
| Islands and is located in the western Pacific | | | | industry has recently suffered setbacks because |
| Ocean, about three fourths of the way between | | | | of the continuing Japanese slowdown; the |
| Hawaii and the Philippines. | | | | Japanese normally make up almost 90% of the |
| It is an organized, unincorporated territory of the | | | | tourists. Most food and industrial goods are |
| United States. Geographically speaking, the island is | | | | imported. |
| located around 1,500 miles to south of Japan, | | | | Wildfires plague the forested areas of Guam |
| 1,400 miles to east of the Philippines, 2,000 miles | | | | every dry season despite the island's humid |
| to north of Australia and 3,800 miles to west of | | | | climate. Most fires are man-caused with 80 |
| Hawaii. It is about three-quarters of the way from | | | | percent resulting from arson. Poachers often start |
| Hawaii to the Philippine. Guam shares most of the | | | | fires to attract deer to the new growth. Invasive |
| rights of Americans and is one of the five US | | | | grass species that rely on fire as part of their |
| territories that have an established civilian | | | | natural life cycle grow in many regularly burned |
| government. | | | | areas. |
| Guam is the largest of the Mariana Islands. The | | | | During the rainy season sediment is carried by the |
| highest point in Guam is Mount Lamlam. | | | | heavy rains into the Fena Lake Reservoir and |
| Settlement in the Mariana Islands dates back | | | | Ugum River leading to water quality problems for |
| around three and a half thousand years. It is | | | | southern Guam. Eroded silt also destroys the |
| thought that early migrants to the Marianas, which | | | | marine life in reefs around the island. Soil |
| are known as the Chamarro and it was from | | | | stabilization efforts by volunteers and forestry |
| Southeast Asia. | | | | workers to plant trees have had little success in |
| The economy depends on US military spending, | | | | preserving natural habitats. |
| tourism, and the export of fish and handicrafts. | | | | |