AGANA

capital of the unincorporated U.S. outlying territory of Guam, situated at the centre of the west coast of the island on a sandy beach surrounding Agana Bay at the mouth of the small Agana River. A town of 10,000 inhabitants in 1940, it was completely destroyed in World War II. Its population has since increased slowly. Reconstruction has been hindered by the difficulty of determining ownership of many small plots of land. Agana Cathedral (Dulce Nombre de Mara) was rebuilt after World War II. Adjoining the cathedral is the Plaza de Espaa and the Azotea, the only part of the original Spanish governor's palace still standing. Close by is Latte Stone Park, with latte stones (pillars that supported houses of the prehistoric Latte culture). Tamuning, just northeast of Agana, and Piti, to the southwest, have become major business centres at the expense of the capital. Agana usually enjoys a mild climate but is often struck by typhoons. Pop. (1990) 1,139.