Country United States Time zone ChST (UTC+10) Population 6,084 (2010) | Territory Guam Local time Wednesday 1:08 PM | |
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Weather 30°C, Wind E at 13 km/h, 76% Humidity Points of interest T Stell Newman Visitor Ce, Gab Gab Beach, Apaca Point, Dadi Beach, Spanish Steps | ||
Santa Rita (Chamorro: Sånta Rita) is a village located on the southwest coast of the United States territory of Guam with hills overlooking Apra Harbor. According to the 2000 census it has a population of 7,500, down from 11,857 in 1990. Santa Rita is the newest village in Guam, having been established after the Second World War.
Contents
Map of Santa Rita, Guam
History
Prior to the War, the village of Sumay occupied the Orote Peninsula, which forms the southern boundary of Apra Harbor. Once a thriving commerce center, it suffered severe devastation from bombardment by the United States military forces during the Liberation of Guam from the Empire of Japan. The U.S. military assumed control over the ruins of Sumay and built Naval Station, while the residents of Sumay were relocated to the hills between their former village and Fena. They established a new village, naming the settlement after Saint Rita. Today, the Fena area, which houses Naval Magazine and Fena Lake (a main source of fresh water for the island), borders the eastern boundary of the village of Santa Rita.
Education
The Department of Education serves the public schools in Santa Rita.
Santa Rita Village contains Harry S. Truman Elementary School, Southern High School, and PACE ((Program of Alternative Certification for Educators)), which was once Santa Rita Elementary School. H.S. Truman Elementary serves Santa Rita residents, while Southern High School serves Santa Rita, Agat and villages allocated by DoE districting. PACE serves students in need throughout the DoE program. Oceanview Middle School in Agat serves middle school residents.
In addition, Commander William C. McCool Elementary/Middle School (Originally Guam South Elementary/Middle School), operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity, is located on-base at Naval Station area of Santa Rita.