Merizo, Guam 2604992 224209125 2008-07-07T20:32:12Z RussBot 279219 Robot-assisted fix [[WP:DPL|links to disambiguation page]] Unknown {{Infobox Settlement <!--more fields are available for this Infobox--See Template:Infobox Settlement--> |settlement_type = [[Villages of Guam|Village]] |subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] |subdivision_name = [[United States]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Territories of the United States|Territory]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Guam]] |subdivision_type2 = |subdivision_name2 = |timezone=[[Chamorro Standard Time|ChST]] |utc_offset=+10 |unit_pref=Imperial |map_caption =Location of {{PAGENAME}} within the Terrority of Guam. |latd= |latm= |lats= |latNS= |longd= |longm= |longs= |longEW= |elevation_ft = | official_name = Merizo<br>Malesso | image_map = Merizo_map.JPG | area_total_sq_mi = | population_total = 2152|population_footnotes= | population_as_of = 2000 [http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01cn174.html] | population_blank1 = | leader_title=[[Mayor]] | leader_name = | Mayor_since = | leader_name1 = | blank_info = }} '''Merizo''', also known as '''Malesso''', is the southernmost [[municipality]] (''Village'') in [[Guam]], a [[U.S.]] territory. [[Cocos Island (Guam)|Cocos Island]] is part of the municipality. == History == During the first [[Spain|Spanish]] missionary efforts on Guam, Merizo was the site of resistance encouraged by Choco, a Chinese resident of the village. The [[parish]] of Merizo was the second established by the Spanish on Guam. A large population of [[Chamorro]]s from the [[Mariana Islands]] north of Guam was relocated to the village during Spanish rule. The village covers an area of 6 mi²(16 km²) and is located on the shore below the volcanic hills of southern Guam. Places of interest for visitors include Southern Comfort Ranch and Merizo Pier where ferries can be taken to [[Cocos Island (Guam)]] Resort. Several popular dive sites are located off Merizo's coast. == Contamination of lagoon == Officials from the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Public Health and Social Services and the Coast Guard announced findings of major [[polychlorinated biphenyl]] (PCB) contamination in the Cocos Lagoon on [[20 February]] [[2006]] and warned people not to eat fish caught there. The contamination is believed to have come from a [[United States Coast Guard]] station which operated on Cocos Island from 1944-1963. [http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060221/NEWS01/602210302/1002 (Pacific Daily News)] == See also == [[Image:Merizo_Guam.jpeg|thumb|right|thumb|300px|Rural Merizo, Guam]] *[[Villages of Guam]] *[[Dive Sites of Guam]] == References and external links == * [http://www.guamportal.com/villages/Merizo_Guam.html Merizo Guam] at Guam Portal * Rogers, Robert F (1995). Destiny's Landfall: A History of Guam: University of Hawai'i Press. ISBN 0-8248-1678-1 * Carter, Lee D; Carter, Rosa Roberto; Wuerch, William L (1997). Guam History: Perspectives Volume One: MARC. ISBN 1-878453-28-9 * Sanchez, Pedro C. Guahan, Guam: The History of our Island: Sanchez Publishing House. *http://www.guampdn.com/communities/maps/merizo.html {{Guam}} {{Guam-geo-stub}} {{coor title dms|13|15|48|N|144|40|11|E|type:city_region:US-GU}} [[Category:Villages of Guam]] [[ch:Malesso']] [[pl:Merizo]]