Humåtak, 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:Humåtak
Population Total:647
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population As Of:2020
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Johnny A. Quinata (R)

Humåtak (formerly Umatac) is a village on the southwestern coast of the United States territory of Guam. The month of March in the Chamorro language is "Umatalaf," or "to catch guatafi," which is believed to be the root word of Umatac.[2] The village's population has decreased since the island's 2010 census, and it is by far the least populated village on the island.[1]

Mount Bolanos, at an elevation of 368m (1,207feet), is the 3rd highest peak of Guam and lies 4.5km (02.8miles) away.

On August 18, 2021, the municipality place name was officially changed from Umatac to Humåtak.[3]

History

Prior to Spanish arrival on the island, an annual celebration was held north of the village at Fouha Rock where the first humans were created according to the legends of the Chamorro people, the native people of Guam.

In 1521, the Portuguese Explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived on Guam while circumnavigating the globe. Umatac Bay is traditionally cited as the location of the Spanish landing. Another explorer, Miguel López de Legazpi, arrived in Umatac in 1565 and claimed the island of Guam for Spain.

When Guam was colonized in the 17th century, the Spanish made Umatac a parish so the Chamorro people in the area could be converted to Christianity. Remains of two Spanish forts built on hills on either side of the village - Fort Nuestra Señora de la Soledad and Fort San Jose - are visible.

In 1898, Guam was taken by the United States during the Spanish–American War. Under the U.S. administration, the small village has grown gradually. The Discovery Day festival is held every year in the village. While the holiday was first established in memory of Magellan's discovery of the island, it is now a celebration of Chamorro culture.

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

Demographics

The U.S. Census Bureau designates one census-designated place, Umatac.[5]

Education

The Guam Department of Education serves the island. The F. Q. Sanchez Elementary School in Umatac has closed at the end of summer 2011 due to budget cuts. Students have shifted to a nearby Merizo Elementary School.[6] The unused facility was then cleared for use by the Umatac Mayor's Office.[7] Southern High School in Santa Rita serves the village.[8]

In regards to the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Umatac 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 Umatac.[9]

Mayor of Umatac

Commissioner

Mayor

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: Guam's Umatac - Chamorro cradle of creation . Anthony P. . Sanchez . Pacific Islands Report . April 27, 2005 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20051122062714/http://archives.pireport.org/archive/2005/April/04-27-ft.htm . November 22, 2005 .
  3. Web site: Public Law 36-48 . . August 18, 2021 . Guam Legislature . 36th Guam Legislature . May 15, 2024 .
  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: Umatac CDP, GU. U.S. Census Bureau. 2020-10-09.
  6. News: Brett . Kelman . Umatac School to Close . July 1, 2011 . Pacific Daily News .
  7. Web site: NEWS: Facility Handed Over to the People of Umatac.
  8. "Guam's Public High Schools." Guam Public School System. Accessed September 8, 2008.
  9. Web site: DoDEA Guam School Boundaries and Bus Transportation Zones. Military Morale, Welfare and Recreation Guam. 2023-07-07.