Barrigada, Guam

Infobox Settlement

settlement_type = Village
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States

subdivision_type1 = Territory
subdivision_name1 = Guam
subdivision_type2 =
subdivision_name2 =

timezone=ChST
utc_offset=+10

unit_pref=Imperial
map_caption =Location of Barrigada within the Territory of Guam.
latd= |latm= |lats= |latNS=
longd= |longm= |longs= |longEW=
elevation_ft =
official_name = Barrigada
Barigåda

---

area_total_sq_mi =
population_total = 8652|population_footnotes=
population_as_of = 2000
population_blank1 = Chamorro|population_blank1_title=Ethnic groups|, Asian
leader_title=Mayor
leader_name = Jesse B. Palican
Mayor_since =
leader_title1=Vice mayor
leader_name1 = June U. Blas
blank_info =

Barrigada (Chamorro: Barigåda) is a municipality (or village) in central Guam. A largely residential municipality, its main village is located south of the airport near the intersections of Routes 8, 10, and 16. The community east of the airport known as Barrigada Heights is considered an affluent neighborhood on the island, where homes have excellent views overlooking much of Guam including the island's airport and hotels at Tumon Bay.

From August 2 to August 4 in 1944, American marines engaged Japanese soldiers at present day Barrigada Heights during the battle of Guam in World War II. When the Japanese line collapsed the Americans pursued them to the north winning the battle.

In recent years, the three main highways in Barrigada have been renamed in honor of the U.S. military. Route 8 is designated "Purple Heart Memorial Highway". Route 10 is designated "Vietnam Veterans Highway". Route 16 is designated "Army Drive".

Tiyan (Former Agana NAS)

North of Routes 8 and 16 is the former Agana Naval Air Station, most of which lies within the boundary of Barrigada. When Agana NAS (now Guam International Airport) was closed in the mid 1990s, the land and buildings were handed over to the Government of Guam, which utilized many former base buildings as government offices. (Some agencies have since moved out.) Most of the original NAS housing facilities have been demolished to make room for airport-related commercial buildings. The original Chamorro name, Tiyan, has been restored and is in common use for this area.

Barrigada is also home to Guam's main post office commonly known as "Guam Main Facility" (GMF).

The closing of Agana NAS resulted in the opening of Central Avenue and Sunset Boulevard, on the north side of the runways, to the general public. This busy, but yet unnumbered highway offers a short cut from Barrigada to Tamuning and Tumon, Guam's economic center.

hopping and Activities

The village has two small commercial districts. One stretches along Route 8 in the main village and the other along Route 16 in Barrigada Heights, where discount retailers Costco and PriceSmart once operated a store.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Guam Public School System serves the island.

Two K-5 elementary schools (B.P. Carbullido Elementary School, [http://www.gdoe.net/pcles/ Pedro C. Lujan Elementary School] ) and [http://www.gdoe.net/ums Luis P. Untalan Middle School] are in Barrigada. George Washington High School in Mangilao serves the village." [http://www.gdoe.net/ci/high_sch_crse_desc/guam_PHS.pdf Guam's Public High Schools] ." "Guam Public School System". Accessed September 8, 2008.]

Private schools

* Harvest Christian Academy is located in Barrigada.

Public libraries

Guam Public Library System operates the Barrigada Library at 177 San Rogue Drive. [http://gpls.guam.gov/Portals/50/GPLS_LOC/GPLS_Location_2007Apr12.xml]

See also

* Villages of Guam
* Barrigada LORAN-C transmitter

References