This tiny Pacific island is extremely remote and hardly fits the picture of a tropical paradise yet attracts thousands every year for two reasons; it?s an important air hub and trans-Pacific stopover, and has excellent duty free shopping. It also hosts a large US naval base.

Hagat? (formerly known as Aga?) is the island?s main center and has a rich history dating back to Spanish settlement. Remains of the Casa Gobierno, the Governor's Palace, date from 1736. Apart from evidence of the island?s strong Catholic legacy dotted about Plaza de Espa?, there is nothing to see in this otherwise modernized town, and you may as well head for the huge shopping stores.

The tourist centre of Guam is further north at Tumon Bay. It?s no more than a strip of unappealing and overpriced hotels restaurants and bars, with a shallow beach unsuitable for swimming at low tide. None-the-less it has a good atmosphere and a great place to relax after a day off-loading your credit card at the world?s biggest k-Mart in Hagat?.

Guam does have culture of its own and Inarajan is a sleepy village with a smattering of Spanish-era influence and some of the island's richest Chamorro flavours. It has a cultural village, the cascading Talofofo Falls, and good surf at Talofofo Bay Beach Park. Good snorkeling is found on the Cocos islands, though they can generally only be reached by private charter.

The island is fairly undulating and has some interesting rural spots, as well as several secluded beaches and picturesque coastal vistas. Mt Jumullong Manglo and Mt Lamlam in the south are good nature areas suitable for hiking.

Won Pat International Airport is a modern building 6kms southwest of Hagat? and receives more than 100 flights per week to Hawaii and the US mainland, East Asia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.