Malesso, Guam Explained

Settlement Type:Village
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:Territory
Subdivision Name1:Guam
Timezone:ChST
Utc Offset:+10
Unit Pref:Imperial
Official Name:Malesso'
Population Total:1604
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population As Of:2020
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Ernest T. Chargualaf (R)

Malesso' (formerly Merizo) is the southernmost village in the United States territory of Guam. Cocos Island (Chamorro: Islan Dåno) is a part of the municipality. The village's population has decreased since the island's 2010 census.[1]

Malesso' is the closest populated place in the United States to the equator.

On August 18, 2021, the municipality place name was officially changed from Merizo to Malesso'. [2]

History

During the first Spanish missionary efforts on Guam, Malesso' was the site of resistance encouraged by Choco, a Chinese resident of the village. The parish of Malesso' was the second established by the Spanish on Guam. A large population of Chamorros from the Mariana Islands were relocated to the village during Spanish rule.[3]

The village covers an area of 6sqmi and is located on the shore below the volcanic hills of southern Guam. Places of interest for visitors include Merizo Bell Tower, Malesso' Kombento and Merizo Pier where ferries can be taken to Cocos Island (Guam) Resort. Several popular dive sites are located off the Malesso' coast.

In August 2021, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero signed a bill officially changing the name of the village from Merizo to Malesso'.[4]

Contamination of lagoon

Officials from the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Public Health and Social Services and the Coast Guard announced findings of major polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in the Cocos Lagoon on February 20, 2006 and warned people not to eat fish caught there. The contamination is believed to have come from a United States Coast Guard station which operated on Cocos Island from 1944-1963.

Demographics

The U.S. Census Bureau has the Malesso' census-designated place.[5]

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Guam Public School System serves the island. Merizo Martyrs Elementary School in Malesso' and Inarajan Middle School in Inarajan serve Malesso'.[6] Southern High School in Santa Rita serves the village.[7]

In regards to the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Malesso is in the school attendance zone for McCool Elementary and McCool Middle School, while Guam High School is the island's sole DoDEA high school. No DoDEA school buses go to Malesso.[8]

Public libraries

Guam Public Library System operates the Malesso' Library at 376 Cruz Avenue.[9]

Recreation

Water sport crafts can be rented near Merizo Pier. The pier is also a fishing spot.

List of mayors

Commissioner of Malesso'
NameTerm beginTerm end
Francisco C. Chargualaf19571977
Joaquin Q. Acfalle19771979
Ignacio "Buck" S. Cruz19791981
Jose R. Tyquiengco19811985
Mayor of Malesso'
NamePartyTerm beginTerm end
Ignacio "Buck" S. CruzDemocraticJanuary 7, 1986January 1, 2001
Rita A. TainatongoDemocraticJanuary 1, 2001September 2006
Sherry L. ChargualafSeptember 2006January 5, 2009
Ernest T. ChargualafRepublicanJanuary 5, 2009present

See also

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/island-areas/guam/population-and-housing-unit-counts/guam-phc-table01.pdf Population of Guam: 2010 and 2020
  2. Web site: Public Law 36-49 . . August 18, 2021 . Guam Legislature . 36th Guam Legislature . May 15, 2024 .
  3. Geert Cole, "South Pacific and Micronesia", Lonely Planet Books, 2006, P.161-165, .
  4. Web site: Healy . Shane . Gov. Leon Guerrero signs bills to change names of five southern villages . Guam PDN . 5 September 2021 . en . 19 August 2021.
  5. Web site: 2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Merizo CDP, GU. U.S. Census Bureau. 2020-10-09. - See "Merizo muny"
  6. Web site: 筋トレ豆知識 | 筋トレ豆知識 . www.lk4kids.com . 12 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060222192437/http://www.lk4kids.com/school%2Blinks.htm . 22 February 2006 . dead.
  7. "Guam's Public High Schools." Guam Public School System. Accessed September 8, 2008.
  8. Web site: DoDEA Guam School Boundaries and Bus Transportation Zones. Military Morale, Welfare and Recreation Guam. 2023-07-07.
  9. Web site: Archived copy . gpls.guam.gov . 22 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090115030215/http://gpls.guam.gov/Portals/50/GPLS_LOC/GPLS_Location_2007Apr12.xml . 15 January 2009 . dead.